THINK BEFORE YOU THROW
Repetitive ball throwing: facts and alternatives Not sure what might be bad about repetitive ball throwing? Read and learn some more appropriate ways of exercising and bonding with your dog. “A tired dog is a good dog” - perhaps, but we are really happy that more and more dog owners are becoming aware of a potentially bad outcome from repetitively playing toss & fetch with a ball. Not only can...
Hind Leg Weakness In Dogs – Signs And Symptoms
There are many causes of hind leg weakness in dogs and the exact cause is often difficult to establish – even for veterinarians. Senior dogs often show weakness in their back legs. This usually develops gradually over time. Dogs tend to get aches and pains as they get older – just like we do. Some causes of hind leg weakness in dogs can however strike at any age. Sudden weakness,...
Wraps and Braces for Carpal and Tarsal Injuries
The excerpt below is from an article by Drs. Gayle Jaeger and Sherman Canapp on carpal and tarsal injuries in dogs first seen in Clean Run Magazine in 2008. Though it's an older article, it is well-organized and still relevant. Carpal (front leg wrist) and tarsal (back leg ankle) injuries are common in larger and more active dogs but can occur in any dog and breed. Canine athletes are more prone to these injuries...
The Role of Equipment in Conditioning
When talking to a friend recently, I made the comment that my average client has minimal training experience, so in many cases I need to rely on simple exercises with specialized equipment instead of specialized exercises with simple equipment to get the results I want. This caused me to think about the role that equipment plays in conditioning, especially considering how expensive it is. How Important is Canine Conditioning Equipment?...
Seven Tips for a Happy Holidays with Your Dog
The holiday season is well under way but if you have a dog in the house there are some extra considerations to make in your holiday preparations. Here are our seven key tips to make the festive season a happy occasion for everyone, and keep your pup on Santa’s NICE list. 1. Don’t assume that your dog is as happy to host people as you are Often the increased...
4 Ways to Find a Horse to Buy
What You Need Before Searching Before you begin searching for the right horse to buy, you need to make sure you have several things in line. Time: Don’t be in a rush or have a time limit on finding a horse. If you are or do, you could end up settling for or not happy with the horse you buy. You must allow yourself to try multiple horses and make...
Close Quarters: Avoiding Inter-Pet Aggression During Quarantine
With much of the nation under stay-at-home orders, cabin fever is at an all-time high. Cohabitating with our loved ones and furry friends provides many benefits, but being in close quarters for extended periods of time can be difficult—for humans and their animals. Dr. Christine Rutter, a clinical assistant professor at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, is an emergency and critical care specialist who has...
Cohesive Bandage Can Be Used For Traction and To Reduce Scuffing
Slipping or scuffing on hardwood or tile floors? Cohesive bandage (e.g., VetWrap) works well to reduce slippage and scuffing when used properly. In this video, Vital Vet expert Ilaria Borghese demonstrates how to apply VetWrap safely and for maximum impact. VetWrap Link Author: Ilaria Borghese, MS, MA, OT, Thera-Paw, Inc., STAAR Conference, Vital Vet Other Related Publications Traction for Weak, Unstable, or Injured Pets Custom Bracing for Pets with Injuries...