female dog in heat
A female dog's heat cycle: four phases, typical signs, and behavior at a glance. This article also explains when discharge or symptoms such as lethargy necessitate a prompt visit to the veterinarian.
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Dogs
Bloody gastroenteritis in dogs
Bloody gastroenteritis in dogs should always be taken seriously. From my perspective as a veterinarian who advises pet owners, a dog with bloody diarrhea must be seen by a veterinarian within 24 hours at the latest, but often much sooner. If the bloody gastroenteritis is accompanied by vomiting, weakness, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, pale mucous membranes, rapid pulse, dehydration, or even collapse, it is not a case to be ignored, but rather an emergency requiring immediate attention at the veterinary practice or clinic. International veterinary sources explicitly classify acute hemorrhagic diarrhea in dogs as a serious condition, sometimes requiring immediate treatment, because fluid loss can very quickly become life-threatening.
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Dog yawns
When a dog yawns, many people immediately think of tiredness. That's often correct – but in veterinary practice, I regularly see that yawning in dogs is also an issue when there is no lack of sleep at all.
Rabies case in Rhineland-Palatinate
At the end of January, a dog in Hochdorf-Assenheim (Rhein-Pfalz district) tested positive for rabies. Understandably, this news caused concern among many pet owners. Rabies is considered one of the most dangerous infectious diseases – and many people associate it with dramatic images, aggressive animals, and a disease that is "always fatal.".
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Cleaning dog ears
Cleaning a dog's ears is one of the most important grooming practices, which I discuss with pet owners regularly in my work as a veterinarian. Many diseases of the external ear canal develop gradually, often going unnoticed for a long time, and can be prevented early on by regularly cleaning the dog's ears. As the medical director and owner of small animal practices in Karlsbad-Ittersbach and Karlsbad-Langensteinbach, I see dogs with ear problems almost daily that could have been avoided with proper ear cleaning.
Cardiomegaly in dogs
As a practising vet, I often see cardiomegaly in dogs. It is important to note that cardiomegaly in dogs is initially a descriptive term for an enlarged heart silhouette or enlarged heart segments - not a diagnosis. There are various causes behind the visible enlargement, from myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) to pericardial effusion or breed-specific norm variants. Modern guidelines and reviews emphasise that it is only with echocardiography, X-ray measurements and possibly biomarkers that we can determine with certainty why cardiomegaly is present in the dog and which therapy is appropriate.
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Increased urea
Why is this topic important? „BUN“ stands for Blood Urea Nitrogen and describes the proportion of urea that is measured as nitrogen in the blood. Elevated urea in clinically normal dogs unsettles many owners, especially if the dog is clinically normal, eats and drinks normally and the other clinical chemistry is within the reference range. From an internal medicine perspective, BUN is a helpful but non-specific marker: it rises not only in renal problems, but also in prerenal and postrenal disorders and under certain dietary and gastrointestinal conditions. This means that an elevated BUN value is a finding, not a diagnosis. This is precisely my task as a treating veterinarian: to bring structure to the causes, correctly assess relevance and set up a targeted, animal-friendly diagnostic and monitoring programme. For years, professional societies and international guidelines have emphasised the clear distinction between prerenal, renal and postrenal azotemia - the BUN adds a facet to this picture, but never replaces the overall view.
A puppy moves in
When a puppy moves in, a life together begins for family and dog that is characterised by joy, curiosity and responsibility. As a vet with many years of experience in clinics and practices, I see every day how crucial the first few weeks are. During this time, health foundations are laid, bonds are built and everyday routines are formed. A clear plan is needed for a puppy to move in and develop in a safe, healthy and relaxed manner: preparation of the home, structured acclimatisation, evidence-based health care, needs-based nutrition, sensible support without excessive demands and early socialisation.
Christmas treats
As a practicing veterinarian, Susanne Arndt, I experience the same wave of emergencies every December: dogs that have "just quickly" nibbled on something from a plate, emptied an advent calendar, or gotten hold of a piece of stollen with raisins. "Christmas treats that are dangerous for dogs" is therefore not just a seasonal topic, but a matter of genuine preventative medicine. In this article, you will find a well-founded, easy-to-implement guide on how to recognize typical holiday traps, realistically assess risks, and act correctly in an emergency. I share clinical experience from emergency services, explain the medical background, and link to reputable international specialist sources.
Cholecystectomy in dogs
As a practicing veterinarian, I regularly see dogs with gallbladder disease where cholecystectomy—the surgical removal of the gallbladder—is the safest and best long-term solution. This is particularly common with gallbladder mucocele: In this condition, the gallbladder fills with thick, biliary mucus, the wall becomes overstretched and inflamed, and there is a risk of rupture, leading to life-threatening biliary peritonitis. In this situation, cholecystectomy can eliminate the risk of rupture and stabilize liver and bile duct function. Leading international veterinary sources recommend early surgical intervention, depending on the findings, to avoid complications. (Merck Veterinary Manual+1)
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Teething problems in young dogs
Teething problems in young dogs are more common than many owners realize. Normal teething usually begins between 12 and 16 weeks of age, depending on the breed, and is typically completed by 6-7 months. During this important developmental phase, complications can arise, ranging from harmless, temporary irritations to conditions requiring treatment. As a veterinarian, I place great importance on owners understanding early on which signs are harmless and which are critical. Untreated teething problems in young dogs can cause pain, malocclusion, periodontitis, jawbone changes, and even long-term behavioral changes.
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Shortening the soft palate of a pug
As a veterinarian, I am very frequently asked by pug owners whether shortening the soft palate is a relevant topic for pugs – and if so, when, how, and with what risks. The pug is a brachycephalic breed, meaning it has a short skull. This head shape predisposes pugs to Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS), in which several constrictions in the upper respiratory tract occur.
A key structure in this process is the soft palate (velum). If it is too long or too thick, it can obstruct airflow, leading to snoring, wheezing, exercise intolerance, coughing, gagging, increased panting, sleep disturbances, and in extreme cases, life-threatening respiratory distress. In such cases, shortening the soft palate (medically: staphylectomy or palatoplasty) is a proven veterinary option to relieve pressure on the airways and sustainably improve your dog's quality of life.
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Dog hides
When your dog hides, it often seems puzzling and unsettling. Suddenly, he's under the bed, hiding in a corner, or disappearing into another room. But what's behind a dog's hiding behavior? Is it fear, illness, or simply normal behavior?
Castration in dogs
Few topics generate as much discussion among dog owners as neutering. Some see it as a sensible preventative measure against unwanted offspring and hormone-related problems, while others fear health risks or changes in behavior.
As a veterinarian, I see firsthand in my practice how uncertain many dog owners are. Should you have your dog neutered? When is the right time? And what alternatives are there?
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Dog snores
Many dog owners initially take it in stride when their dog snores. A deeply breathing, sleeping dog seems peaceful, and its snoring almost endearing. But what if the snoring suddenly gets louder, persists, or increases in frequency throughout the day?
In many cases, snoring is harmless – but it can also be a sign of structural or functional problems with the airways. This guide will help you better understand the causes and decide when a visit to the veterinarian is necessary.