This collection of Dog Illness & Disease articles has been curated for you by Riverbark Veterinary Hospital. If you would like to talk to a veterinarian, please give us a call at 910-436-4801.
The Increase in Parvovirus and What You Need to Know
"Parvo" is the last word you want to hear as a dog owner. Short for parvovirus, parvo is a devastating and highly contagious virus that can cause potentially deadly illness in even the healthiest of pups in a matter of days. The good news is that this disease is preventable. It's also relatively treatable when detected early. The bad news is that this frightening virus is becoming increasingly common and is putting more dogs at risk than ever before.
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5 Common Illnesses in Dogs and What You Need to Know
Keeping your dog up-to-date on vaccinations protects them from several devastating illnesses, including rabies, parvovirus, distemper, bordetella, and more. Unfortunately, no vaccine will protect your canine companion from every disease they may encounter throughout their life. And while modern vaccines are highly effective, there is always a minuscule risk of vaccine failure. This means that, despite your best efforts, there's no way to ensure that your furry friend will never get sick.
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A Veterinary Guide to Stubborn Tear Stains on Dogs
You're probably a bit frustrated if your dog is prone to tear stains. These stains not only seem uncomfortable for your precious canine companion but they also look like a big mess. You might not need your precious pup to be "Best in Show" by any means, but you likely don't want to see them with a tear-stained face either. And the truth is, this isn't just a cosmetic issue, as we must treat the condition to eradicate it. Read on to learn more about the misinformation that you can find about tear stains on dogs online, why they get it, and how to properly treat this condition.
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How to Know When to Take Your Dog to the Veterinarian For an Ear Infection
Despite what you may think, yeast infections, NOT ear mites, are the primary cause of ear infections in dogs. Dogs love to get yeast infections in their ears. Most veterinarians can likely count the number of dogs with ear mites they’ve seen during their practice career on two hands.
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Dog Diarrhea! It Happens, And Here's What You Need to Know
Diarrhea - let's just agree upfront that this is an unpleasant topic. Unfortunately, it's one that we see in pets at veterinary clinics every day, and while the root cause can be relatively harmless, that's not always the case. This blog post will look at what may be causing your dog's diarrhea and how serious the implications are in each case.
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National Pet Poison Prevention Week: Beware These Common Household Toxins
National Pet Poison Prevention Week takes place this year from March 21st through March 27th. Aimed at educating pet parents about some of the most common things that are poisonous to pets, this week is a fantastic opportunity to brush up on your knowledge and keep your furry family member safe.
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The Secret to Helping Pets with Missing Limbs Live Their Best Lives
As humans, we think of losing a limb as a tragic, worst-case scenario type of event. The loss of an arm or leg is a traumatic experience that has a massive impact on daily life. However, it is not nearly as big a tragedy in the animal kingdom. As veterinarians, we’ve seen countless dogs and cats recover beautifully following limb amputations. With proper care, three-legged pets can live long, healthy, and, most importantly, happy lives.
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Pet Diabetes Month – Warning Signs to Look for in Your Dogs and Cats
While November is known by many as American Diabetes Month®, bringing awareness to the risk factors and management of diabetes in humans, it’s also Pet Diabetes Month. One in every 230 cats and one in every 300 dogs are affected by diabetes, making awareness of the signs and symptoms of this illness in dogs and cats critical for every pet owner to know.
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