Uncovering a New Tick-Borne Threat to Dogs
A Surprising Discovery In 2019, researchers at NC State University’s Vector-Borne Disease Lab made an unexpected find: a previously unknown species of Rickettsia detected in a dog’s blood. Rickettsia is part of the bacterial group that causes spotted fever diseases, including Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, one of the most serious tick-borne illnesses in the United […]
A Step Ahead: How Genetics May Help Prevent Cruciate Ligament Rupture in Dogs
A Familiar Injury with Surprising Roots If you are a sports fan, or one of the thousands of people who will tear an ACL in your lifetime, you understand how devastating a knee injury can be. A single wrong step can lead to painful surgery, costly treatment, and a long road to recovery. Dogs face […]
Relieving Pain, Restoring Joy: A New Approach to Canine Osteoarthritis
A Silent Epidemic Among Dogs Osteoarthritis is a serious and growing problem in dogs. Although most often diagnosed in older pets, recent studies show it begins much earlier than many realize. In fact, 20% of dogs over one year old, 40% of those under four, and an astounding 80% of dogs over eight show signs […]
Beyond the Scale: Rethinking How We Measure a Dog’s Fitness
A Familiar Conversation at the Vet You may have heard it before: “Your dog is a little overweight,” or, “We need to get a few pounds on him.” Just like humans have Body Mass Index (BMI), dogs have a system too and it’s called Body Condition Score (BCS). But what if that score doesn’t tell […]
A New Era in Canine Sports Medicine
CHF Launches Groundbreaking Residency Program to Train the Specialists Our Dogs Deserve Like human athletes, dogs who compete in sports, work in the field, or serve on the front lines—from agility champions to search-and-rescue heroes, TSA K9s, and herding dogs—face a high risk of injury. In fact, studies show that up to 40% of athletic […]
The Mystery of Canine Dysautonomia
Canine dysautonomia is a rare and devastating disease that targets a dog’s autonomic nervous system. This system works behind the scenes to control vital functions that happen automatically—like keeping the heart beating, taking regular breaths, digesting food, producing urine, and regulating body temperature. The disease is fast-moving, often deadly, and tragically mysterious. It tends to […]
Tracking the Pace: How Canine Wearables Could Transform Agility and Prevent Injuries
The Joys and Intensity of High-Energy Sport Agility is one of the most captivating canine sports—fast, technical, and demanding. In 2024 alone, more than 1.2 million entries were recorded in AKC agility events. With dogs racing through tunnels, weaving through poles, and leaping over jumps, it is no surprise the sport is growing and draws […]
Putting Evidence Behind Emergency Epilepsy Treatment
Dr. Karen Muñana leads a groundbreaking study on at-home care for cluster seizures. When a dog with idiopathic epilepsy begins to seize – especially in frightening, fast-paced succession known as cluster seizures – most dog owners head to emergency clinics for relief. Once there, they may be sent home with medications like clorazepate or levetiracetam, […]
From Trial-and-Error to Targeted Care
New research aims to predict drug resistance in dogs with epilepsy, bringing personalized treatment within reach. When a dog is diagnosed with idiopathic epilepsy, or epilepsy with no identifiable cause such as a tumor or brain injury, veterinarians are often left without clear guidance on which medication will be most effective for that dog. “We don’t […]
New Discoveries Are Changing the Future for Dogs with Seizures
Epilepsy can be terrifying for dog owners. The sudden, unpredictable seizures leave families feeling helpless. One moment, their dog seems perfectly fine—then suddenly, they’re collapsing, stiffening, drooling, and convulsing. Seizures can last over 30 seconds, and even afterward, dogs may be disoriented or confused. The first time is especially harrowing. Fortunately, there are anti-epileptic drugs […]