Treat Toys Provide Enrichment and Mental Exercise for your Pet
Like it or not, winter's here and we'll be spending more time indoors with our pets. Older pets and those with injuries or disease are usually more homebound than their more physically-abled pals. Whether due to weather, injury, disease, or age, pets that need to stay indoors can benefit greatly from enrichment activities and mental stimulation. Enrichment activities are tasks that improve a pet's quality of life and activities in which...
Paw Problems (Part 1 of 4): Paw Pad Injuries, Cracked Pads, Paw Licking
If you have a dog, then download, print, file this article. Why? Because chances are high that your dog will injure their paw at some point and when that happens, here's what you need to know. Why are paws so important? Because dogs use them for almost everything: to get around - Walk, run, jump. Paw pads provide traction on slippery surfaces and steer pups away from trouble when sensing sharp objects on the ground. ...
Nose Work & Target Training - Useful and Fun For All Dogs
Last week, we saw a Facebook post that really caught our attention - a Corgi named Daisy competing in K9 Nose Work. What jumped out was that this Corgi had degenerative myelopathy (DM) and was in a wheelchair, and her mom wheeled her around in a wagon, going from station to station to compete. In their last competition a few weeks ago, this dynamic duo came in 9th overall! This is Daisy, in...
Dog Harnesses - VITAL VET REVIEW
I must admit, I don't like dog collars. I've had healthy dogs and dogs with orthopedic and neurologic issues and none of them appreciated being tugged around by their neck. I don't blame them! In general, harnesses provide better support and control, and definitely help ouchy dogs get around better. For dogs with injuries or who have trouble getting around, harnesses are indispensable. For hyperactive dogs who want nothing more than to chase...
Does My Dog Need a Leg Brace - What I Need to Know
There are many reasons why a dog might benefit from a leg brace. Some of the more common include: Wrist or ankle arthritis or pain (lameness, limping) Injury, sprain, or strain Deviation or deformity of the joint Protection against injury Support for the remaining limb after leg amputation varus (outward bowing), hyperextension, valgus (inward bowing) of the wrist Leg injuries or conditions that are mild or moderate can be effectively managed...
Help for Hip Pressure Sores: VITAL VET REVIEW
Last week, Vital Vet's Product Wizard received this inquiry "My dog has DM (degenerative myelopathy) and now has a sore on his hip bone from lying on it too much. Is there a product that can protect that area?". Here's what the Product Wizard had to say. A pressure sore (also known as a decubitus ulcer) can happen when dogs spend too much time lying on a hard surface. These sores are typically seen over bony areas like elbows,...
Anti-Dragging Gadgets for Hind Paws: VITAL VET REVIEW
Vital Vet's Product Wizard did the research and sourced the best protection and anti-dragging gadgets for hind paws. Here's what they have to say and their picks. There are many conditions that can cause a dog to knuckle or drag their back paws. Some of these include degenerative myelopathy (DM), sciatic nerve injury, disc disease, spinal cord injury, cancer, and fibrocartilaginous embolism (FCE, stroke). Painful arthritis can also cause a dog to scrape or drag their...
MEET LARRY
Meet Larry - sporting his Thera-Paw Carpo-Flex Wraps on his walk today. Larry's a happy dog and here's what Larry's mom is saying: "I am writing to tell you how fully satisfied and grateful I am for your quality products for my middle-aged angel pitty boy, Larry. He is almost 7 and earlier this year I purchased the Carpo-Flex Sports Wrap for his left leg and it is still amazing. I...