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Common Health Issues

Supporting Senior Dogs: Simple Changes to Make Their Life and Yours Safer and Easier

“We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.”    

Dr. Dawn Gleason appropriately kicked off this webinar with the above quote from George Bernard Shaw, and although Shaw probably wasn’t referring to dogs, Dr. Gleason showed that his words absolutely apply to our canine family members. A veterinarian and certified veterinary acupuncturist, food therapist, and rehabilitation specialist, Dr. Gleason provides many insights in this eye-opening presentation. 

Shamrock’s Story: What my dog taught me about the signs of Canine Cognitive Dysfunction

F. Barish-Stern’s most recent book, “Shamrock’s Story, From Hurricane Katrina to Doggy Dementia and Alzheimer’s,” combines her personal experience and love of dogs with input from more than 50 experts she interviewed. By knitting together their guidance with the story of one rescued dog's journey through the stages of Canine Cognitive Dysfunction, she hopes the book and this article will help other senior dogs and the people who love them.

Annie’s Saga: Heartworm Disease By Denise Fleck, The Pet Safety Crusader™

Affectionate, gentle, energetic and built for long days in the field.  Vizslas are known to be an athletic breed - eager and graceful trotters possessing great stamina and making them ideal jogging or biking companions.

Picture Annie:  a Heartworm positive two-year-old Vizsla who is currently on restricted activity during treatment. 

Osteoarthritis: An Overview and Treatment Options by Dr. Megan Buchanan

Osteoarthritis, or Degenerative Joint Disease, is a common disease in our older pets. While many owners chalk the stiffness and decreased mobility seen in these pets as just “old age”, they can dramatically impact a pet’s quality of life. Dogs with osteoarthritis rarely vocalize their discomfort with cries or a non-weight bearing lameness. The changes are often subtle and can involve symptoms such as stiffness, reluctance to climb stairs, weight shifting when standing still and a decreased desire to go on walks.

The key to maintaining your dog’s healthy joints: A holistic mindset! by Dr. James St. Clair

In my first two blog post here on the Grey Matters Blog we discussed simple signs for you to look for to potentially identify if your dog has joint pain or not. We then introduced the concept of “The Pain Trial,” which all dog owners should know about and be able to discuss with their veterinarian. I have listed these posts for easy reference, in case you missed them.

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