dogs

Glaucoma in Dogs

Glaucoma in dogs is one of those conditions I never want pet parents to “wait and see” on. It happens when pressure inside the eye (intraocular pressure, or IOP) rises high enough to damage the optic nerve and retina. That damage can become permanent very quickly, sometimes within hours,...

Whipworm in Dogs: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment

As a veterinary assistant here in Frisco, Texas, I can tell you whipworms are one of those parasites that can quietly make a dog miserable, and they can be frustrating to fully eliminate. The tricky part is that symptoms can look like a simple upset stomach, and the eggs can persist in soil for...

Laryngeal Paralysis in Dogs

When a dog sounds like they are “breathing through a straw,” it can be scary fast. One possible cause is laryngeal paralysis , a condition where the cartilage and muscles of the larynx (voice box) do not open properly during inhalation. Instead of widening to let air in, the opening stays...

Double Doodle: What to Expect

A Double Doodle is most commonly what you get when a Goldendoodle (Golden Retriever + Poodle) is crossed with a Labradoodle (Labrador Retriever + Poodle). In other words, you are typically looking at a dog with Poodle genetics on both sides , plus the friendly, people-loving traits that made Labs...

Newfypoo (Newfoundland Poodle Mix): Personality, Size, and Grooming

If you love the idea of a big, gentle family dog with that classic doodle look, the Newfypoo might be the mix you keep coming back to. A Newfypoo is a Newfoundland Poodle mix, often bred for a sweet temperament, a soft coat, and a go-with-the-flow attitude. But they are not a low-maintenance pet....

Springerdoodle Temperament, Size, and Care

If you love the bright, people-focused personality of an English Springer Spaniel but also want the sharp intelligence of a Poodle, the Springerdoodle might be your perfect match. This mix can be a wonderful family dog when their needs are met, but they are not a couch-potato breed. Think active,...

Saint Berdoodle: Size, Temperament, and Health

If you love the idea of a gentle giant with a goofy, affectionate side, the Saint Berdoodle might already be on your shortlist. This mix combines the Saint Bernard’s famously sweet nature with the Poodle’s intelligence and, sometimes, a lower-shedding coat. The result can be a big,...

Goldador: Temperament, Training, and Health

If you love the easygoing sweetness of a Golden Retriever and the bright, eager-to-work vibe of a Labrador, the Goldador (Golden Retriever Lab mix) can feel like the best of both worlds. Mixes are also wonderfully unpredictable. A Goldador may lean more Golden in softness and steadiness, or more...

Homemade Dog Food for Bladder Stones (Low-Purine Options)

If your dog has bladder stones, food can feel suddenly complicated. I get it. In the clinic, I have seen how quickly a urinary issue can go from “a little off” to painful, urgent, and expensive. The encouraging news is that diet and hydration can make a real difference , but the plan has to...

Homemade Dog Food for Hypothyroid Dogs

Hypothyroidism is among the most common endocrine disorders I see discussed by pet parents, especially once the weight gain, low energy, and dull coat start showing up. The good news is that with the right medication plan from your veterinarian and a thoughtful homemade diet, many dogs do...

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...