Some forms of cancer in dogs have been linked to exposure to second and third-hand smoke. Cases of nasal cancer and growth of tumors along the upper respiratory system of exposed long-nosed dog breeds have been documented.

Symptoms include bloody nasal discharge, sneezing, and a swelling or growth in the nose or sinus.  Like many forms of cancer, survivability rates are dismal, and most affected puppies die within a year.

Canine lung cancer has also been diagnosed in brachycephalic breeds (short-nosed dogs such as Pekingese, pugs, and boxers). Most cases have been traced back to cigarette smoke exposure. Carcinogenic smoke particles can easily reach their lungs because of their short nasal passages.

The risk of a dog developing lung cancer when living in smoky environments is about 60% greater. Some red flags that you should be quick to bri ... Read more »

Choosing to put your pet on a homemade diet is definitely a commendable undertaking. Preparing and feeding entails time, effort, and commitment.

But here’s an important hitch to the practice, if you choose to go the homemade route, you must try to learn as much as you can about dog nutrition so you will be able to formulate a balanced ration that will meet your pet’s needs adequately. It is a fact that the health of many pets has been compromised as a result of being given an unbalanced homemade ration.

Even if the pet owner has the best intentions, switching your pet to an unbalanced homemade diet may do a great deal of damage to your pet’s health—which is exactly what you are attempting to avoid in the first place.

Before making any major decision about your pet’s diet, consult with your Indianapolis, IN veterinar ... Read more »

A responsible pet owner should take time to decipher communication signals exhibited by a pet dog. Being able to communicate with your pet on a certain level will help you meet his needs adequately. Here are some common ways by which dogs communicate:

Display of dominance –  Ears are erect and tail is stiff while staring at another dog

Submission – A dog lowers his body to the ground, or looks away from another dog

Fear – When your pooch is nervous or fearful around other dogs, step into your role as the alpha leader to allay his anxiety.

Greetings – When greeting members of the pack, a dog will keep on wagging his tail and his body is relaxed. His friendly barks are his way of welcoming the person/s.

... Read more »

While you cannot protect your pet from being exposed to a considerable amount of hazardous chemicals during summer, you can actually lower your pet’s toxic load by observing the following measures which are designed to boost the animal’s immune system.

• Don’t compromise your pet’s immune system. Feed him only the best premium quality pet food product you can afford.
• Make sure your pet’s drinking water is always fresh, clean, and filtered.
• Install an air purification system inside your home. This will benefit all the members of the household, humans and pets alike.
• Avoid using harsh chemical cleaning products around the house; this can significantly minimize the amount of toxins everyone can get exposed to.
• Give your pet regular f ... Read more »