If you've decided to take the plunge to get a puppy, there are a few things you should know. Be sure to get information about your puppy from the breeder or shelter, such as health history of the parents if you can. This will help you as you care for your puppy, especially if there has been any history of seizures, heart problems or other health issues. Once you have your information, it's best to take your new puppy (and the information you have) to the veterinarian for an exam.

Trying to determine the best nutritional needs for your dog can sometimes be completely overwhelming and frustrating. While it's important to select the best type of food for your dog, it also important to take into consideration the dog's breed, age, weight and activity level. It becomes even more complicated when trying to choose the best nutritional needs for dogs that suffer with allergies, sensitive stomachs and/or other health problems.  To help you make an informed decision, here are four nutritional tips to help keep your dog healthy.

Many pet parents engage in trimming their dogs' nails themselves, but it carries some risks. If you cut too close to the paw, you could potentially nick the nail's quick, which can cause bleeding. If you've made this mistake and your dog's nail is bleeding or you just want to know what to do if it ever happens to you, read on. Stop Cutting The very first thing you should do is to not be tempted to cut the nail any further.

The CCL is a ligament that runs along the front of your dog's knee, connecting the femur bone above the knee to the tibia bone below the knee. This ligament is similar to the ACL in humans, and dogs can injure the CCL, leading to discomfort and a lame gait.  If your dog is experiencing the following symptoms, he may have torn his CCL: Swelling on the front and inside of the knee joint Limping, especially when running (not as severe when walking) Unwillingness to bear weight on the injured leg (in severe cases) Here's what you need to know about CCL injuries in dogs.

Dogs can get into poisonous plants, chemicals, or food if these items are not properly secured. If you suspect your dog has ingested something that may be poisonous, it's important to know what steps to take to keep your pet safe. Here are some steps you should take in the event that your dog eats or drinks something that may be dangerous. Contact The Animal Hospital Contact your local animal hospital, someplace like Phoenixville Animal Hospital - R B Wolstenholme DVM, right away and let them know you are bringing your pet in.

Maintaining the health of your horse by taking preventive precautions will help you to maximize the lifespan and quality of life of your equine companion. Keeping up on health care precautions is especially important when you perform in competitions with your horse that put a great deal of demand on your horse's body. The following are four things you need to do on a regular basis to ensure your horse's continued  good health:

Shiba inus are known for their friendly and independent personalities, curly tails, and unique, cat-like voices. A Japanese breed, they are becoming increasingly common in the United States, where they make wonderful family pets. Shibas are generally pretty healthy little dogs, and there are many responsible breeders who carefully select their parentage to reduce the risk of major diseases. Still, there are certain health conditions that are more common in shibas.

If you have an older dog, then you know the amount of care and love that an elderly canine requires. If you plan on leaving town on vacation, the idea of leaving your beloved older dog at a boarding facility may be a bit intimidating. You might worry that he won't get the careful attention he needs or that something will go wrong and the boarding facility may not deal with it properly.

From stiffness and immobility to pain and discomfort, watching your dog live through the challenging symptoms of arthritis can become overwhelming. While medications and even surgery may be able to help your dog's discomfort, other, non-invasive solutions are available. If your dog is currently living with arthritis, consider one or all of these holistic treatment options that can improve their quality of life. Exercise Obesity is one of the most common causes of arthritis.

If you are a veterinarian who wants to be able to help as many animals as you possibly can, you may want to consider creating a mobile veterinary clinic to take into the community. With a mobile unit, you will be able to go help pets whose owners do not have the money required to get their pets the care they need at the veterinary office. In order to provide basic care to the animals, the unit will need to be equipped with some pieces of veterinary equipment.