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Sick Sinus Syndrome in Dogs

If you have ever watched your dog suddenly wobble, collapse, or seem “checked out” for a moment and then pop back up as if nothing happened, it is scary in a very specific way. As a veterinary assistant here in Frisco, Texas, I have seen how fast pet parents go from “Maybe he is just tired today”...

When Vets Prescribe Intranasal Midazolam for Dog Seizures

As a veterinary assistant in Frisco, Texas, one of the hardest calls to take is from someone whispering, panicked, “My dog is seizing again.” When seizures repeat in a short window, it can feel like you are just waiting for the next one to hit. This is exactly why some veterinarians prescribe...

Is Lactulose a Safe Laxative for Dogs?

As a veterinary assistant here in Frisco, Texas, I have seen constipation range from a mild, fixable slowdown to a true emergency. Lactulose is one of the medications veterinarians often prescribe for constipated dogs. When it is used for the right patient, at the right dose, and with the right...

Can a Dog Get Sick From Eating Squirrel Droppings?

Yes, a dog can get sick from eating squirrel droppings. I know it sounds like a one-time gross moment in the yard, but from a veterinary assistant point of view, squirrel feces are a potential package deal of intestinal parasites, bacteria, and other germs. Some dogs will be completely fine after a...

Signs of Internal Bleeding After a Dog Spay

When a dog is spayed, a little sleepiness and mild discomfort can be completely normal. But there is a short list of symptoms that are not normal and should always be treated like an emergency. As a veterinary assistant here in Frisco, Texas, I always tell families the same thing: if your gut is...

Pericardial Effusion in Dogs

When people hear “fluid,” they often think of fluid in the lungs or a swollen belly. But there is another kind of fluid that can be even more immediately dangerous: fluid around the heart . In dogs, that is called pericardial effusion , and it is one of those conditions where time truly matters. As...

Intussusception in Puppies

As a veterinary assistant here in Frisco, Texas, I have seen how quickly a puppy can go from “a little off” to dangerously sick. One condition I never want pet parents to wait out at home is intussusception . It can look a lot like parvo in the early stages, but it is a different emergency with a...

Is Garbage Gut the Same as Pancreatitis?

I’m a veterinary assistant in Frisco, Texas, and one of the most common panicked messages I hear sounds like this: “My dog got into the trash and now he’s vomiting. Is this pancreatitis?” It’s a fair question because “garbage gut” and pancreatitis can look very similar in the beginning. Both can...

Why Are My Senior Dog’s Hind Legs Trembling?

When a senior dog’s back legs tremble, it is easy to jump straight to the worst-case scenario. In my experience as a veterinary assistant in Frisco, Texas, the most common contributors are much more everyday: muscle weakness, arthritis pain, nerve changes, and simple fatigue after standing for a...

Can a Dog Get Parvo More Than Once?

As a veterinary assistant here in Frisco, Texas, I have seen how scary parvo can be, and I totally understand why the first question families ask after their dog recovers is, “Can this happen again?” The good news is that most dogs who survive canine parvovirus (parvo) develop strong protection...

How Long Must a Tick Be Attached to Transmit Lyme Disease?

If you have ever found a tick on your dog, you know that sinking feeling. I see it all the time as a veterinary assistant here in Frisco, Texas. The first question almost every pet parent asks is the same: “How long was it on my dog… and is Lyme disease now a real concern?” Timing matters a lot...

Why Is My Dog Snapping at Invisible Flies?

I have met plenty of dogs in clinics and foster homes who suddenly start snapping at the air, like they are trying to catch invisible flies. It can be funny for about two seconds and then it quickly turns into a worried feeling, because you know something is off. This behavior is often called...

Why Your Dog Can’t Poop When Fur Is Matted Around the Anus

I’ve met plenty of sweet dogs in clinic who looked “constipated” at first glance. They were squatting, straining, and clearly uncomfortable. But when we checked the back end, the problem was not inside the belly at all. It was right there at the exit. If the fur around your dog’s anus is severely...

Lymphangiectasia in Dogs

I have talked with a lot of worried pet parents who start with one scary symptom: “My dog is pooping mucus.” Sometimes that really is a one-off irritation that settles down in a day or two. But sometimes mucus is part of a much bigger intestinal problem, especially when it shows up alongside weight...

Chronic Bloody Mucus in Boxer Stool: Granulomatous Colitis

I have worked with a lot of upset tummies as a veterinary assistant here in Frisco, Texas, and most bouts of mucus in the stool are short-lived. But there is one situation that makes my ears perk up fast: a Boxer (or French Bulldog) with frequent bloody, mucous diarrhea that keeps coming back ,...

How to Keep Skunks Out of a Dog's Yard

As a veterinary assistant here in Frisco, Texas, I have heard every version of this sentence: “My dog got sprayed again. How do I keep skunks out of my yard for good?” The best long-term strategy is not chasing skunks away after they show up. It is making your yard a place they do not want to live...

Dilated Cardiomyopathy in Dogs

I have had so many worried pet parents ask me, “My vet heard something with the stethoscope. Does that mean my dog has dilated cardiomyopathy?” I totally understand the anxiety. Heart words feel scary. Dilated cardiomyopathy, usually shortened to DCM , is not just “a heart murmur.” It is a heart...

Is Miralax Safe for a Constipated Dog?

I am Shari, a veterinary assistant in Frisco, Texas, and constipation is one of those issues that looks simple from the outside but can turn serious fast. One of the most common questions I hear is whether Miralax is safe for dogs. Miralax is the brand name many people recognize for polyethylene...

What Are Seed Ticks on Dogs?

If you have ever parted your dog’s fur and suddenly realized the “dirt” is moving, you know the exact kind of panic that seed ticks can trigger. I’m a veterinary assistant in Frisco, Texas, and one of the most distressing tick situations I see is not a single tick on a shoulder. It is the dog who...

How Can I Tell If My Cat’s Eardrum Has Ruptured?

I’m Shari Shidate, a veterinary assistant in Frisco, Texas, and I want to start with the most important truth: you usually cannot confirm a ruptured eardrum at home. The eardrum, also called the tympanic membrane, sits deep in the ear canal. If it is torn or open, some ear medications and cleaners...