dogs

Homemade Dog Food for Dogs With IBD

If your dog has IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease), mealtimes can feel stressful. You want to nourish them, but you also want to avoid the flare-ups: vomiting, diarrhea, mucus in stool, gas, belly pain, and sudden “nope” reactions to foods that used to be fine. As a veterinary assistant here in...

Corgipoo Size, Temperament, and Health

If you love the idea of a clever, people-focused dog with a little herding spark and a little curly-coated charm, the Corgipoo might already be on your radar. A Corgipoo is a Corgi Poodle mix, usually a Pembroke Welsh Corgi crossed with a Miniature or Toy Poodle. Like many designer mixes, they can...

Doxiepoo: Personality, Size, and Health

The Doxiepoo is a Dachshund Poodle mix that can be hilarious, cuddly, and surprisingly clever. But this mix also comes with a very real health conversation, especially around back safety and IVDD risk that can be inherited from the Dachshund side. If you are considering a Doxiepoo or you already...

Bernese Mountain Dog Health Issues

Bernese Mountain Dogs are famously gentle, family-focused giants, and they also have a heartbreaking reality: they carry among the highest cancer burdens of any dog breed. As a veterinary assistant here in Frisco, Texas, I have seen how powerful it can be when families know what to watch for early,...

Malshi (Maltese Shih Tzu Mix): Personality, Size, and Health Tips

The Malshi is a Maltese Shih Tzu mix known for a sweet, people-focused personality and a small size that fits beautifully into apartment life. In my experience as a veterinary assistant, families love Malshis because they are affectionate, adaptable, and typically happy to be wherever you are. That...

Great Pyrenees Health Problems

The Great Pyrenees is a gentle, majestic guardian, and a true giant-breed dog. That matters because giant breeds tend to age faster and carry higher risk for orthopedic issues, bloat (GDV), and certain cancers. The good news is that many of the biggest problems have early warning signs you can...

Whoodle Temperament, Size, and Care

If you love the idea of a friendly, active family dog with a soft, low-shedding coat, the Whoodle might already be on your radar. A Whoodle is a Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier and Poodle mix, and they are known for their sunny personality, athletic energy, and that teddy-bear look many people want in...

Dog Arthritis Treatment: Home Remedies and Pain Management

If your dog has been diagnosed with arthritis, you are not alone. I see this every week as a veterinary assistant here in Frisco, Texas. The good news is that arthritis is often very manageable with the right home setup, safe movement, targeted supplements, and veterinarian-guided pain control when...

Homemade Dog Food Toppers

If your dog is turning their nose up at dinner, you are not alone. As a veterinary assistant here in Frisco, Texas, I see picky eating all the time, especially with stress, aging, dental discomfort, or after a food change. The good news is that the right homemade dog food toppers can make meals...

Famotidine (Pepcid) for Dogs: Dosage, Uses, and Safety

If your dog is lip smacking, swallowing repeatedly, burping, eating grass, or acting nauseated, it is natural to wonder if an acid reducer like Pepcid could help. Famotidine is one of the most commonly used stomach acid medications in dogs. When stomach acid is truly part of the problem, it can...

Bone Broth for Dogs

Bone broth is one of my favorite “small changes” that can make a big difference for many dogs. As a veterinary assistant, I like it because it is simple, inexpensive, and very practical for real life, especially when a dog is recovering, feeling picky, or dealing with mild digestive upset. That...

False Pregnancy in Dogs: Signs, Duration, and What to Do

If your unspayed female dog is nesting, carrying toys around like puppies, or suddenly has swollen mammary glands, it can be scary. Many pet parents worry their dog is pregnant or seriously ill. The good news is that in many cases, these behaviors point to false pregnancy , also called...

Periodontal Disease in Dogs: Stages, Symptoms, and Prevention

As a veterinary assistant here in Frisco, Texas, I can tell you something I see almost every day: dental disease is one of the most common problems we treat, and it often hides in plain sight. Periodontal disease does not just cause bad breath. It is a progressive infection and inflammation of the...

Dog Warts (Papillomas): Causes, Treatment, and When to Worry

If you have ever found a new bump on your dog, I know how fast your mind can jump to worst case scenarios. The good news is that some wart-like bumps on dogs are benign papillomas , especially the classic mouth warts we see in puppies and young dogs. Still, not every “wart” is a papilloma. In...

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) in Dogs

When a dog has ongoing vomiting, diarrhea, gassiness, or weight loss, it can feel like you are stuck on a frustrating loop of “better for a week, then back to square one.” Chronic GI signs have a long list of possible causes, but one common long-term cause (especially after the basics like...

Dog Aggression Toward Other Dogs

Seeing your dog stiffen, lunge, or erupt into barking when another dog appears can feel scary and embarrassing. I get it. As a veterinary assistant here in Frisco, Texas, I have talked with many loving pet parents who worry they have a “bad” dog. The truth is, dog-on-dog aggression is a...

Seasonal Allergies in Dogs

If your dog seems perfectly fine all winter, then suddenly starts licking paws nonstop in spring or gets a red, bumpy belly after rolling in the grass, seasonal allergies may be the culprit. As a veterinary assistant, I see this pattern all the time, especially in active dogs who spend a lot of...

Urinary Incontinence in Spayed Dogs

If your spayed female dog is leaving wet spots where she sleeps, or you notice a little urine dribbling when she is resting, you are not imagining it and you are not alone. As a veterinary assistant, I have talked with many loving owners who feel confused or even guilty about this change. The...

Puppy Not Eating: Common Causes and When to Worry

Bringing home a new puppy is exciting, and it can also be a little nerve-wracking when they turn their nose up at dinner. The good news is that a brief dip in appetite is common, especially during the first few days after rehoming. The not-so-good news is that puppies can get dehydrated and low...

Puppy Feeding Chart by Age and Weight

Puppies grow fast, and their calorie needs change just as quickly. The easiest way to feed confidently is to use three anchors at the same time: your puppy’s age , their current weight , and their body condition (how lean or chubby they look and feel). This guide gives you a practical feeding...