dogs

What If a Mast Cell Tumor Was Incompletely Removed?

When I’m helping families in the exam room, one of the hardest phone calls is the one that starts with: “The tumor came back as a mast cell tumor… and the margins weren’t clean.” Even when the lump is already gone, the word incomplete can make it feel like you are right back at square one. Take a...

Retained Testicles in Dogs: Cryptorchidism Explained

I have had more than a few families come into the clinic worried because they cannot find one of their puppy’s testicles, or because their dog was “neutered” but is still acting very hormonal. If you are staring at an empty or half-empty scrotum and feeling confused, you are not alone. Retained...

Status Epilepticus in Dogs

I am Shari, a veterinary assistant in Frisco, Texas, and I want you to hear this clearly: a seizure that does not stop is not a wait-and-see situation. It is an emergency called status epilepticus , and minutes truly matter. This page focuses on a seizure that will not stop. If your dog has...

Is Anesthesia Safe for a Dog With a Heart Murmur?

I hear this worry all the time as a veterinary assistant in Frisco, Texas: “My dog has a heart murmur. Is anesthesia even safe?” If your pup needs a dental cleaning, a spay or neuter, or another procedure, it can feel like you are choosing between their heart and everything else. Here is the good...

Sago Palm Poisoning in Dogs

I’m Shari Shidate, a veterinary assistant in Frisco, Texas, and I want to say this as clearly as I can: if you think your dog ate any part of a sago palm (or another cycad plant), treat it like an emergency. These plants can cause severe poisoning and may trigger rapid liver injury. Waiting to “see...

Marijuana Poisoning in Dogs

I have seen a lot of “my dog is acting drunk” emergencies, and marijuana exposure is high on the list, especially when edibles are in the home. If you suspect your dog got into THC, try to take a breath. Secure your dog and the product, then call your veterinarian or an emergency clinic right away....

What to Do If a Dog Eats Rat Poison

As a veterinary assistant here in Frisco, Texas, I can tell you one thing with total confidence: if you think your dog ate rat poison, don’t wait to “see what happens.” The stressful part is that some rodenticides cause problems right away, while others are sneaky and don’t show up until later. The...

Tremorgenic Mycotoxin Poisoning in Dogs

If your dog is suddenly trembling, wobbling, or even seizing after getting into compost, moldy food, or moldy walnuts, I want you to treat it like an emergency, not a “he’s cold” moment. As a veterinary assistant here in Frisco, Texas, I have seen how fast this can turn scary. I have watched dogs...

Tick Paralysis in Dogs

I have worked with a lot of worried pet parents here in Texas, and one of the scariest calls is some version of: “My dog was fine this morning, and now he can barely stand.” When that weakness seems to creep from the back legs forward, I always want people to think about one urgent possibility:...

How Long Should a Dog Bleed After Giving Birth?

After a dog gives birth, some bleeding and discharge is expected. But I know how it feels to see blood day after day and wonder, “Is this still normal or is something wrong?” As a veterinary assistant here in Frisco, Texas, I’ve seen plenty of worried families in that postpartum window, and the...

Mastitis in Nursing Dogs

I have a soft spot for new mom dogs. As a veterinary assistant here in Frisco, Texas, I have seen how quickly a calm nursing setup can turn into a very stressful day when a mammary gland suddenly looks swollen, red or purple, and feels hot and painful. If you are staring at a hard lump or a...

Stelfonta Wound Healing: What to Expect Day by Day

I am Shari Shidate, a veterinary assistant in Frisco, Texas, and I want to gently prepare you for something that can be startling the first time you see it. If your dog is treated with Stelfonta for a mast cell tumor , the tumor often breaks down and sloughs out, leaving an open wound that can look...

Obstipation in Dogs: When Constipation Is an Emergency

I am Shari Shidate, a veterinary assistant in Frisco, Texas, and I want to start with a clear line that can save a dog’s life. If your dog is repeatedly straining to poop and nothing is coming out, that is not the time for “quick fixes.” That pattern can signal obstipation , which is severe...

Perineal Hernia in Dogs

I have talked with a lot of worried pet parents who are sure their dog is constipated because they see straining and very little stool. Then they notice something else that does not fit the constipation story: a soft bulge beside the anus, usually on one side. In older, intact male dogs, that...

Perianal Adenoma in Intact Male Dogs

I have had more than a few pet parents come in worried because they found a “marble” or “little button” next to their intact male dog’s anus. It is scary, and it is also one of those situations where the location of the bump makes people immediately assume it is an anal gland (anal sac) problem....

Fainting vs. a Seizure in Dogs

One of the scariest moments as a dog parent is watching your dog suddenly collapse. As a veterinary assistant here in Frisco, Texas, I have seen how fast panic sets in, and I get it. The hard part is that fainting and seizures can look similar at first glance, but the causes, urgency, and next...

How to Get Skunk Smell Out of Carpet, Laundry, and the House

If your dog comes charging inside after meeting a skunk , that smell can feel like it instantly soaks into everything. I have been there as a veterinary assistant, and I promise you this: skunk odor is stubborn, but it is not magical. Skunk spray contains several sulfur-containing compounds,...

Palladia for Dogs With Mast Cell Tumors

Hearing the words mast cell tumor can make your stomach drop. As a veterinary assistant here in Frisco, Texas, I have sat with families while they try to absorb a whole new vocabulary of grades, margins, staging, and treatment options. One medication that often comes up, especially when surgery is...

Why Do Spayed Dogs Gain Weight?

As a veterinary assistant here in Frisco, Texas, one of the most common surprises I hear after a spay is, “She is eating the same, but she is gaining weight.” It is frustrating, and it can feel unfair when you did everything right. The truth is, weight gain after spaying is common and it is usually...

When Is a Dog No Longer Contagious After Parvo?

As a veterinary assistant here in Frisco, Texas, I have seen how emotionally exhausting parvo can be. Once your dog is finally home, eating again, and acting more like themselves, the next question is almost always: When is my dog safe to be around other dogs? The tricky part is that feeling better...