Veterinary Care Advice

  • |

    Dog Vasectomy and Ovary-Sparing Spay Study

    With increasing interest in the benefits of dogs’ longer exposure to gonadal hormones and demand for options other than traditional spay/neuter, a study published in early 2023 caught my attention. It compares health and behavior outcomes for dog vasectomy and ovary-sparing spay patients with both sexually intact dogs and those with gonads surgically removed as is the current standard practice. It’s a small sample for dogs who’ve had those surgeries, but the results look interesting. I tried to include most of the important points. The full list of health conditions compared is long, but researchers grouped them as follows:

    – Orthopedic problems, including blown knees
    – Cancer
    – Obesity
    – Endocrine disorders (thyroid disease, diabetes)
    – Reproductive disorders
    – Other health problems (dental, heart, kidney, and eye diseases and disorders)
    – Problematic behaviors (aggression, anxiety)
    – Nuisance behaviors (mounting, marking)

  • | |

    Itchy Dog Relief Guidelines

    With a major veterinary magazine deadline looming, I spent time reading in full the latest thinking about itchy dog relief from the new 2023 AAHA Management of Allergic Skin Diseases in Dogs and Cats Guidelines. A few things jumped out at me, including how apparently cranky and impatient we are as veterinary clients when dogs develop symptoms of allergic skin diseases.

  • |

    Dog Urine Sample Mistake

    I spent about a day last week worrying and wondering how our eldest dog, Clover, may have ended up testing as suddenly diabetic. Turns out, I made a dog urine sample mistake that threw off the results, a lot. Thankfully, a repeat test — done just hours later via cystocentesis (getting a dog urine sample with a needle) — came back perfect. Whew! What a relief. So, learn from me, pals. Do NOT make this mistake. What you put the urine sample in matters … a lot.