According to a study that took over six years to complete, many of the chemicals used can raise your dog’s chances of getting CML, or canine malignant lymphoma.  The study too place at the Foster Hospital for Small Animals at Tuft’s University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, and studied all of the main stream, professionally administered chemicals in use today.

The dogs that find themselves at the top of the risk pool for CML are often dogs over 50 pounds, and were living in homes where pesticides and herbicides are used.  The study also took into account for lawn care products with insect growth regulators, which are also known as chemical killing agents.

The other type of cancer that has been linked to these chemicals is bladder cancer.  The dogs were often found to have high levels of the toxins in their urine, which has to pass through the bladder eventually.  Combine the fact that many dogs spend a good deal of time laying on the grass in the family yard all summer, with the fact that many of these toxins can be carried on the wind and into the lives of dogs whose family doesn’t use these chemicals.

The studies conducted here were only one over a six year period, which normally isn’t long enough to get a good grasp of everything that is going on.  However, all of the dogs studied had alarming amounts of toxins and chemicals in their systems.  All of this, just or a weed free lawn during the summer.  It’s something to seriously consider, because if it’s bad for them, it’s probably bad for us too.

The post The Chemicals You Use on Your Lawn Have Been Linked to Cancer in Dogs appeared first on ILoveDogsAndPuppies.

The strain of canine influenza that swept the US last spring is infecting dogs once again.  H₃N₂’s recent arrival in the country from Asia means American dogs have no immunity to it, and though most will be able to fight it off, the virus can be deadly for some.

It has already infected dogs from Washington to Florida to Maine, and is most likely to be contracted by dogs in shelters and those who spend a lot of time in kennels, daycares, grooming facilities, and dog parks.

Symptoms include a fever, cough, runny nose, lethargy, and loss of appetite.  Some dogs can develop more serious symptoms and even succumb to the illness, but about 80 percent of dogs infected will only have a mild form.

“Every dog that coughs doesn’t have canine influenza, but dogs with canine influenza cough,” Arkansas veterinarian Jon Remer told 5 News. “They will have a bronchitis, they’ll have nasal discharge, they’ll have ocular discharge.”

The strain is highly contagious and can be spread by coming into direct contact with respiratory emissions.  People who have touched sick dogs can spread the virus to other dogs.

“The virus can live a couple of days without any problem whatsoever on a hard surface,” Remer explained. “It can live on your hands for about 12 hours.”

Healthy dogs may become infected by coming into contact with contaminated food/water dishes, toys, beds, etc.  All of these things should be thoroughly washed, and a person should make sure to wash hands and change clothes before touching a healthy dog or their things if they believe they have been in contact with a sick dog.

Veterinarians can test dogs for the flu and can administer a vaccine to help prevent them from catching it.  In severe cases, lack of treatment can lead to pneumonia and death.  However, vets aren’t positive that the vaccine, designed to fight the newer H₃N₂ strain, will work on the H₃N₈ strain, which still circulates.

If your dog shows flu-like symptoms, contact your veterinarian and make sure your dog gets plenty of fluids and rest in a comfortable place.  Humans and cats are not known to contract the virus, but a sick dog must be kept away from other dogs to prevent transmission.

“It’s really no different if you’re talking about dogs or toddlers, if you think they’re sick, don’t bring them to daycare,” said Keith Poulsen of the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s School of Veterinary Medicine.

If your dog shows symptoms of flu, contact your veterinarian and make sure your dog gets plenty of fluids and rests in a comfortable place.  Humans and cats are not known to contract the virus, but a sick dog must be kept away from other dogs to prevent transmission.

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When Spirit and her owner walked into PAWS Atlanta on Sept. 19, 2015, the skin and bones dog weighed 30.6 lbs. Her healthy weight should have been 55 lbs, but for unknown reasons, she was 20 lbs underweight.

We spoke with Jacki McDonald, PAWS Atlanta Director of Marketing & Development, who said the dog owner stated she had only had Spirit for a few months and no longer wanted to keep the pet due to allergies.

Questions such as how Spirit got to be so malnourished and why will for now go unanswered. There is a pending police investigation and little information is being released.

Worrying for the dog’s health, veterinarians ran tests to make sure Spirit did not have other underlining ailments.

“[There were] no intestinal parasites to cause such weight loss,” said McDonald. “[She is] heartworm negative and her blood work is ok so far. We need to monitor her organs to see if [there is] any long term damage from severe lack of nutrition.”

As police continue to investigate this case, Spirit is learning what love and proper nutrition feels like. She is currently in foster care with one of PAWS Atlanta’s very own vet technicians.

At first, Spirit showed signs of abuse. “She was very unsure of new people, resistant to being touched, would cry out into the air if approached,” said McDonald, “but she already has become more comfortable, snuggles with her foster family and other dogs on the couch.

Spirit’s previous owner has an upcoming court date and if convicted of animal abuse, the woman could be fine and a given a ban on animal ownership, but this will all be determined by a judge.

The road to recovery for Spirit will be a long one. She will be made available for adoption once she is completely healthy and ready to move into a family environment. For now, anyone interested in helping the young dog should consider making a donation at

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Some couples, however, resolve to stay in shape or get into better shape. Just watch this married couple at the gym and in their home. They even get their dog in on all the action. This sure is one ripped family!

There’s no better time to hit the gym like this family than now! Let’s all get huge and make our bodies bigger and fitter than ever before. If this dog can do it, anyone can!

The post They Put Their Dog On Their Shoulders, And What They Did Next Is Awesome appeared first on ILoveDogsAndPuppies.

When this tiny pup saw his owner suddenly pass out in the middle of a busy street in Guizhou, China, he became instantly anxious and refused to leave the ailing man’s side. Despite his small stature, the fierce fella wouldn’t budge even when emergency crews arrived. Once they managed to carry the man into an ambulance, the pup nervously paced in circles, clearly upset to be separated from the man.

Watch this clip to see all the adorable devotion:

https://youtu.be/AbxK–3I4oY

It’s a good thing they let him hop on in with his owner, or else they’d have one very angry pup on their hands. The loyalty of our pets can be a truly powerful thing.

The post A Tiny Pup Proves His Heart Is Big When His Owner Passes Out In A Busy Street appeared first on ILoveDogsAndPuppies.

Emma is a sweet little Chihuahua who was born with facial deformities including a cleft lip and various skull malformations. Overwhelmed by her condition, her original owners didn’t feel they could properly care for her, so she was given up for adoption at just a few hours old.

When her current owner got her, Emma needed extreme medical attention, and received 24 hour care while she gained her strength. Now, at 5 years-old, Emma is said to be a spirited, determined little girl with a big heart despite the obstacles she’s had to overcome.

Watch the video below to get a better sense of this sweet pup, and check out her Facebook page for more information on how to help Emma and other dogs like her!

How precious is the bond between Emma and her clearly dedicated human? That kind of love and loyalty can overcome just about anything. Have you ever faced a health challenge with your dog? What did you do to help them stay strong?

The post This Dog Was Born With Serious Health Problems And Abandoned But Completely Defies Expectations appeared first on ILoveDogsAndPuppies.

As its name suggests, the ailment affects the esophagus in such a way that it remains enlarged instead of pushing food down like normal. Because of the condition, food remains stuck in the esophagus unless something is done to help it into the stomach.

This pup’s family found a simple solution: a high chair. The custom seat uses gravity to help her eat and process food just as well as any other pooch.

It’s also handy for a quick game of peekaboo!

It’s so heartwarming to see a family this dedicated to keeping their dog happy and healthy.

The post This Pup Was Given A Deadly Diagnosis, But Her Family Found An Adorable Remedy appeared first on ILoveDogsAndPuppies.

Wilson Martins Coutinho saved this pup. He’s famous in his home town of Rio de Janeiro for rescuing dogs from desperate situations.

The post The Shocking Transformation of an Abused Dog Nursed Back to Health appeared first on ILoveDogsAndPuppies.