dogs

Can a Dog With a Heart Murmur Still Exercise?

As a veterinary assistant here in Frisco, Texas, I hear this question constantly: “My dog has a heart murmur. Do we have to stop exercising?” The reassuring answer is often no . Many dogs with a heart murmur who are not in congestive heart failure can still enjoy walks, gentle play, and a normal...

Mammary Tumors in Dogs: Spay Timing and Risk

As a veterinary assistant here in Frisco, Texas, one of the hardest conversations I have with dog parents starts with the same sentence: “I just found a little lump by her nipple.” Sometimes it is nothing dangerous. Sometimes it is. The tricky part is that you cannot tell which one it is just by...

When Do Vets Start Pimobendan for a Dog Heart Murmur?

As a veterinary assistant here in Frisco, Texas, one of the hardest conversations I see families wrestle with is this: “My dog feels totally fine. Why are we starting a heart medication now?” If your dog has a heart murmur and your vet is talking about pimobendan, it can feel scary or premature....

Can Adult Dogs Get Parvo?

As a veterinary assistant here in Frisco, Texas, I wish I could tell you parvo is only a puppy problem. But the truth is simple: adult dogs can absolutely get parvo . It is less common in fully vaccinated adults, but when a dog never completed their vaccine series, their history is unknown, or they...

Rabies Risk After a Dog Meets a Skunk

As a veterinary assistant here in Frisco, Texas, I have learned that “my dog got sprayed by a skunk” can mean two totally different things. Most of the time it is an odor problem, and your dog is embarrassed, you are overwhelmed, and everyone needs a bath. But sometimes there is also a bite, a...

How Long Does Parvo Live in the Yard?

As a veterinary assistant here in Frisco, Texas, I have watched families do everything right once their dog is diagnosed with parvo. They isolate, they disinfect, they wash bedding, they mop floors. Then comes the hardest question: How long is the yard still “dangerous”? Canine parvovirus (CPV) is...

Myxomatous Mitral Valve Disease in Dogs

As a veterinary assistant here in Frisco, Texas, I see this scenario all the time: a dog comes in for a routine exam, feels totally fine, and then the veterinarian hears a new heart murmur. One of the most common causes of a new left apical systolic murmur in small-breed adult dogs is myxomatous...

Pulmonary Hypertension in Dogs

As a veterinary assistant here in Frisco, Texas, I have learned that when a dog starts breathing fast while resting, it is something to take seriously, especially if it is new, persistent, getting worse, or paired with other symptoms. Sometimes it really is as simple as pain, stress, or heat. But...

Subaortic Stenosis in Dogs

As a veterinary assistant here in Frisco, Texas, I have seen how fast a simple note like “heart murmur” can turn a happy puppy visit into a worried drive home. The good news is that a murmur is not a diagnosis by itself. One important cause that deserves a clear, thoughtful explanation is subaortic...

Shaker Syndrome in Dogs

I have had pet parents come into the clinic absolutely shaken up because their little dog “suddenly started vibrating.” If you are seeing full-body tremors and your dog is awake and aware, one possible cause your veterinarian may bring up is shaker syndrome . Shaker syndrome is the common name for...

Will a Puppy Heart Murmur Go Away?

When a veterinarian tells you your puppy has a heart murmur, it can feel like the floor drops out from under you. I have been in the exam room with worried families many times, and I have also seen the relief on their faces later when the murmur fades exactly the way an innocent puppy murmur often...

Can a Vaccinated Puppy Still Get Parvo?

As a veterinary assistant here in Frisco, Texas, I have seen this panic more times than I can count: a puppy gets a parvo shot, then a few days later they stop eating or start vomiting , and their person says, “But he’s vaccinated.” It is a completely fair question. Parvo vaccines are excellent,...

Anal Sac Adenocarcinoma in Dogs: Signs, Staging, and Treatment

When people hear “anal glands,” they usually think of scooting, a fishy smell, or a minor impaction that clears up with veterinary help. But there is another possibility I never want dog families to be surprised by: anal sac adenocarcinoma , a cancer that starts in the anal sac glands. As a...

Ovarian Remnant Syndrome in Dogs

If your dog was spayed months or even years ago and suddenly you notice vulvar swelling, a bloody discharge, or male dogs acting obsessed with her, it is unsettling. I have seen families feel confused and even a little embarrassed, because they did the responsible thing and scheduled a spay. So why...

Pulmonic Stenosis in Dogs

I have met a lot of families who come into the clinic feeling scared after a routine puppy visit ends with, “I hear a heart murmur.” The first thing I tell them is this: not every puppy murmur is dangerous . Many young dogs have innocent (physiologic) murmurs that fade with growth. But some murmurs...

Patent Ductus Arteriosus in Puppies

As a veterinary assistant here in Frisco, Texas, I have met plenty of puppies who look perfectly fine on the outside, but the stethoscope tells a different story. One of the most important examples is patent ductus arteriosus , often shortened to PDA . PDA is not just “a murmur.” PDA is a...

Trazodone vs Gabapentin for Dogs

When a dog is shaking during fireworks, panicking in the car, or melting down in the veterinary lobby, it is natural to want a safe, reliable way to take the edge off. Two medications that veterinarians commonly reach for are trazodone and gabapentin . They are not the same drug and they do not...

Sheepadoodle vs Bernedoodle

If you have been researching doodles, you have probably noticed that Sheepadoodles and Bernedoodles are two of the most advertised mixes out there. They are both often described as friendly, family-ready, low shedding, and “easy.” In real life, they can be wonderful dogs, but they are not the same,...

Carprofen vs Meloxicam for Dogs

As a veterinary assistant, I have seen how much relief an NSAID can bring a sore, limping dog. I have also seen how quickly things can go sideways when a pain medication is the wrong fit, the dose is off, or a dog gets dehydrated and nobody realizes it. NSAID stands for nonsteroidal...

Phenobarbital vs Levetiracetam (Keppra) for Dogs

If your dog has had a seizure, it can feel like the ground shifts under your feet. One of the first big decisions that often follows is medication, and two names come up again and again: phenobarbital and levetiracetam (often sold as Keppra , a human brand name). Both can be life-changing in the...