dogs
Browse articles in dogs on Designer Mixes

How to Know If My Dog Has a Blockage
If your dog suddenly starts vomiting, stops eating, or seems painful, one of the big “do not wait” concerns is an intestinal blockage. As a veterinary assistant, I can tell you that many blockages start with something totally ordinary: a sock, a corn cob, a squeaker, a chunk of rawhide, even a...
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What Fruits and Vegetables Can Dogs Eat?
If you have ever looked at your dog watching you chop strawberries or crunch carrots and thought, “Can I give you some?”, you are not alone. Fruits and vegetables can be a fun, healthy add-on for many dogs, but the details matter. Some produce is wonderfully nourishing, and some can be...
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Wellness Remedies for Dog Coughing
If your dog is coughing, it can feel scary fast. Many coughs are mild and temporary, but some are early warning signs of contagious illness, airway sensitivity, heart disease, or a problem deeper in the lungs. The goal of this guide is to help you make safe, evidence-based decisions for puppies,...
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How to Treat a Dog’s Upset Stomach and Behavior Changes
When a dog’s stomach feels off, their behavior often changes too. A normally bouncy pup may become clingy, restless, or suddenly “grumpy.” Some dogs hide. Others pace, lick the floor, or ask to go outside very frequently. As a veterinary assistant in Frisco, Texas, I see this pattern all the...
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Blood in Dog Stool: Causes, Care, and Training Tips
Seeing blood in your dog’s stool can stop you in your tracks. As a veterinary assistant here in Frisco, Texas, I want you to know two things can be true at once: it can be urgent, and it is also often treatable. The key is noticing the details, keeping your pup comfortable, and knowing when to...
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Crate Training a Puppy at Night: Crying and Health
Nighttime crate training can feel like the hardest part of bringing home a puppy. You are exhausted, your puppy is confused, and the crying can make you wonder if something is wrong. The good news is that a lot of nighttime crying is normal adjustment behavior, not a sign that you are being...
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Stones in Dogs’ Bladders: Quick Guide
Bladder stones in dogs can go from “a little straining” to a full emergency faster than many caregivers realize. In my experience as a veterinary assistant, I have seen how relieved families feel once they understand what stones are, what signs to watch for, and what the next steps usually look...
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What Seasonings Can Dogs Eat
If you have ever looked up from your cutting board and caught your dog giving you that hopeful stare, you are not alone. In my work as a veterinary assistant here in Frisco, Texas, I hear this question all the time: What seasonings can dogs safely eat and which ones are a hard no? The good news is...
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Can Dogs Get Dementia or Alzheimer’s?
As a veterinary assistant here in Frisco, Texas, I get this question more often than you might think: Can dogs get dementia or Alzheimer’s? This is a tough topic because it can feel like you are slowly losing pieces of the dog you know so well. The evidence-based answer is: dogs can develop a...
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Dog Vomiting Bile in the Morning
If your dog wakes up, trots over, and vomits a small puddle of yellow or foamy fluid, it can be scary. I see this a lot in veterinary settings, and the good news is that morning bile vomiting can often be manageable once you understand the pattern . Still, a pattern is not the same as a diagnosis,...
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What Causes Parvo in Puppies
As a veterinary assistant, I wish every puppy parent could see how preventable parvo can be. Canine parvovirus is a highly contagious virus that attacks fast-growing cells in the body, especially the lining of the intestines and the bone marrow. In puppies, that can turn into severe vomiting,...
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Dog Blockage Symptoms
When a dog has a blockage, time matters. I have seen sweet, playful pups go from “a little off” (quieter than usual, skipping a meal) to truly sick within hours. The tricky part is that early blockage symptoms can look like a mild tummy upset, especially if your dog is the type who tries to...
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What Should I Feed My Dog With Diarrhea?
Diarrhea is one of the most common reasons dog parents call the clinic. Sometimes it is a quick, mild tummy upset. Other times, it is your dog’s body waving a big red flag that they need help fast. The good news is that many mild cases improve with the right short-term diet, hydration, and close...
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When Do Puppies Reach Full Size?
Puppies grow fast, then suddenly it feels like they slow down overnight. If you are wondering when your puppy will reach their full size , the honest answer is: it depends on their adult size, genetics, and overall health. The good news is you can usually make a pretty accurate estimate by looking...
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Do Dogs Get Pneumonia
Pneumonia can happen in dogs, and it may be more common than many pet parents realize, especially in dogs who are prone to aspiration or already dealing with a respiratory infection. The good news is that most dogs do very well with prompt veterinary care and solid at-home support. As a veterinary...
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Dogs Vomiting Yellow: Step-by-Step Answers
Seeing yellow vomit from your dog can be alarming, especially when it seems to come out of nowhere. In many cases, that yellow color is bile , a digestive fluid made by the liver and stored in the gallbladder. Bile is normally released into the small intestine to help digest fats, but when a dog...
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Stop Puppy Crying at Night
Bringing home a puppy is equal parts joy and sleep deprivation. Nighttime crying is incredibly common, especially in the first days and weeks, because your puppy just went from sleeping in a warm pile of littermates to being alone in a new place with new sounds and smells. The good news: nighttime...
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Dogs With Diarrhea Treatment Guide
Diarrhea is one of the most common reasons dog parents call a veterinary clinic, and I get it. It is messy, stressful, and it can feel urgent. The reassuring news is that many cases are mild and short-lived, especially when you respond quickly with the right at-home care. The important part is...
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My Dog Gets the Hiccups a Lot
Hiccups can look funny at first, but if your dog gets them a lot, it is normal to wonder if something else is going on. In most dogs, hiccups are harmless and short-lived. But recurrent hiccups can also be a clue that your pup is eating too fast, feeling stressed, dealing with mild tummy...
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Bright Yellow Dog Vomit: Family-Friendly Advice You Need
Seeing bright yellow vomit on the carpet is upsetting, especially when kids are watching and asking questions. As a veterinary assistant here in Frisco, Texas, I want you to know two things can be true at once: yellow vomit is often caused by something simple, and sometimes it is a sign you should...
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