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Dogs pull ahead and lunge forward on leash for several reasons. Loose leash walking is a complex skill that requires patience, planning, and persistence. Positive reinforcement training is effective for teaching dogs how to walk nicely on a leash once their welfare needs have been met.
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Loperamide is given by mouth and is used off label to treat signs of diarrhea. Give as directed by your veterinarian. Common side effects include constipation, bloat, and sleepiness. Do not use in pets that are allergic to it, that have diarrhea due to an infection or a toxin, or that are positive for the MDR1 gene. If a negative reaction occurs, please call your veterinary office.
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Lorazepam is given by mouth or injection and is used off label to treat behavioral disorders such as fears, phobias, and anxiety, as well as to treat seizures and to stimulate appetite in cats. Common side effects include sleepiness, muscle weakness, incoordination, increased appetite (cats), drooling, aggressive or unusual behavior, increased activity or anxiety, and vocalization. Do not use in pets that are allergic to it or other benzodiazepines, or that have severe breathing problems or liver disease. If a negative reaction occurs, please call your veterinary office.
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Grief is the normal and natural response to the loss of someone or something. It is a full body experience that includes physical, emotional, cognitive, social, and spiritual responses. The best way to manage your grief is to be reassured that these reactions are normal and to let them run their natural course. Grieving takes time. Usually it gradually lessens in intensity over time, but if it doesn’t, then professional counseling may help.
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Lotilaner is used to treat and prevent flea infestations and treat and control tick infestations in dogs and cats. After being administered to a pet, lotilaner is distributed throughout the body. When fleas or ticks bite the dog or cat, they are exposed to the drug and killed during their blood meal.
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This cheerful dog has become a hit with folks who want a merry companion to accompany them on short and long jaunts. With their unique appearance and chipper personality, they always draw attention.
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Lufenuron is an FDA-approved medication given by mouth in the form of a tablet, liquid, or injection (cats only) to treat flea infestations. Side effects are uncommon but may include vomiting, diarrhea, lack of appetite, tiredness, reddening of the skin, or itchiness. Do not use in pets that are allergic to it. If a negative reaction occurs, please call your veterinary office.
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Lumbosacral disease, or cauda equina syndrome, is caused by the narrowing of the spinal canal and results in compression of the spinal nerve roots; pressure on the nerves that exit the spine cause the clinical signs. This pressure may be due to a narrowed spinal canal caused by arthritis, intervertebral disc herniation, an infection in the disc, trauma, congenital malformation, or a spinal tumor. Dogs with lumbosacral disease are in pain. If the clinical signs and radiographs suggest lumbosacral disease, advanced imaging such as MRI or CT is recommended to make a diagnosis. Treatment involves either conservative medical treatment or surgical intervention.
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Lung flukes in North America are parasites called Paragonimus kellicotti that infect the lungs of dogs after they have eaten an infected crayfish or rodents that have eaten infected crayfish. Eggs are then released by the parasite into the dog’s sputum to be coughed out or swallowed and released in the feces to continue the life cycle. Lung flukes can be found anywhere in North America but more commonly around the Mississippi River and Great Lakes. Infected dogs can be symptom-free or may develop cough with sometimes bloody mucus, pneumonia, pneumothorax, lethargy and weakness. Diagnosis can include locating eggs of the parasite from feces or mucus from the lungs. X-rays can also reveal cysts in the lungs caused by the parasite. Treatment requires one of 2 commonly used anti-parasitic medications: Praziquantel or Fenbendazole. Although zoonotic, these parasites won’t transmit directly from dogs to humans.
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Lung tumors are considered rare in cats and dogs. Many pets may not show symptoms at first, and a tumor may be found coincidentally. Depending on the type and stage of cancer, treatment may be possible; otherwise, symptomatic supportive care may be an alternative option.
