Relevant news regarding pets in Kitchener - Waterloo

Pet Health & News Blog

Follow our blog for tips, tricks and advice regarding the health and well-being of your pets. The articles are written exclusively by your veterinarians at Kingsdale Animal Hospital

Dog Straining to Pee? Understanding Reflex Dyssynergia in Dogs

If your dog strains to pee with little or no urine production, it can indicate a significant urinary issue. This article discusses reflex dyssynergia, a condition where the bladder and urethra fail to coordinate properly during urination. Although urethral dyssynergia is uncommon in dogs and cats, it is still an important topic, especially if you […]

Feline Hypertensive Retinopathy: Causes, Signs, Treatment

Did your cat suddenly bump into furniture or stare with wide, unreactive pupils? Those scary moments often send owners searching, worried about blindness in their cat. One silent culprit is feline hypertensive retinopathy, eye damage caused by high blood pressure that most cats hide until sight slips away. When systemic blood pressure rises beyond normal […]

Diethylstilbestrol for Dogs: When and How it is Used

Have you noticed your dog leaking urine while sleeping? Diethylstilbestrol (DES) for dogs is a synthetic estrogen most commonly used to treat urinary incontinence in spayed female dogs. It works by strengthening the muscles that help control urination, especially when hormone levels drop after spaying. If your dog is leaking urine while resting or sleeping, […]

Pododermatitis in Dogs: Causes and Effective Solutions

Canine pododermatitis typically affects one or multiple paws. Common clinical signs include swelling, redness, and discomfort, and often, affected dogs may also show excessive licking, which can worsen the condition. This article will help you learn what pododermatitis in dogs is and how you can effectively manage this condition. What is pododermatitis? Pododermatitis means inflammation […]

Anal Sac Adenocarcinoma in Dogs

Anal sac adenocarcinoma in dogs might be something you’ve heard of, but it’s important to know about this uncommon yet serious type of cancer. It affects the anal sacs, which are those small glands on either side of your dog’s bum. If your dog starts having difficulty defecating, loses its appetite, or has high calcium […]

Understanding PU Surgery in Cats

Is your male cat experiencing recurrent urinary blockages? While a single, initial blockage can be managed medically, frequent obstructions pose more of a challenge. In these cases, a type of surgery called a perineal urethrostomy, or PU for short, offers a long-term solution by alleviating urethral obstruction. A perineal urethrostomy is a surgical procedure that […]

9 Serious Reasons for Head Pressing in Dogs

Head pressing in dogs is a serious symptom that always requires investigation. This is where a dog persistently presses its head against a wall or other hard surfaces, often signaling a serious underlying cause. It’s important to understand that head pressing isn’t normal behavior and requires immediate veterinary attention. Various causes, such as brain tumors, […]

Fly Biting in Dogs: Explaining the Top 3 Causes

If you’ve noticed your dog suddenly snapping at the air, as if they’re trying to catch imaginary flies, you’re witnessing what’s known as “fly biting behavior” or “fly snapping,” a common issue in fly-biting dogs. As a veterinarian, I frequently encounter pet owners who are worried about this unusual behavior. In this article, I hope […]

My Dog Ate Chewing Gum: What to Do Now?

While dogs often ingest chewing gum without immediate distress, certain types can be harmful, particularly due to xylitol, a common low-calorie artificial sweetener. Xylitol is highly toxic to dogs, and even a small amount can lead to severe health issues or potentially be fatal. Many chewing gums contain varying amounts of xylitol, and the exact […]