Wellness

Wallace and His Painful Arthritis
If your Australian Shepherd is starting to slow down and you’ve noticed he or she is having difficulty getting up, climbing stairs or jumping, it’s time for a check-up. Arthritis may be the culprit. This degenerative joint disease can occur in any breed of dog, but is most commonly seen in older animals.
Is Sleep Important for Dogs?
Dogs need sleep just like humans do. In fact, dogs usually need more sleep than humans do. Most dogs will sleep for about 12-14 hours per day. It is important to make sure your dog gets enough sleep, as it...
Physical Therapy for Dog's Injuries
Dogs are just like humans when it comes to recovering from an injury. They need physical therapy to help them heal quickly and prevent any long-term damage. If your dog has recently suffered an injury, don't wait to seek out physical therapy services.
Your Dog Prefers the Floor? Here's Why (and What to Do About It)
If you've been struggling to get your dog to lay down on its bed, you're not alone. Many pet owners find this to be a common challenge. There are a few reasons why your dog may prefer the floor over...
Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy from Dr. Rachel Mar
What is Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy? Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy typically affects both legs symmetrically which gives it the characteristic of 'growing pains'. HOD comes on rapidly and the affected dog will stop eating, become lethargic and stand or lay with their head pointed towards their belly.
What is Hip Dysplasia?
Dr. Rachel Mar (@thevitalityvet) is a passionate, integrative medicine and Fear Free certified Veterinarian! She is enthusiastic about helping large dog parents manage joint pain, prevent joint issues and help their dogs live their best possible lives!
3 Ways to Help Your Dog Overcome Fear of Nail Grooming
Dogs can sometimes be fearful of having their nails trimmed. This can be a challenge for pet owners, as it is important to keep their nails trimmed in order to avoid health problems. In this blog post, we will discuss three ways that you can help your dog overcome their fear of nail grooming.
3 Crucial Reasons to Trim Your Dog's Nails: How to Keep Them Healthy and Happy
Your dog's nails play an important role in their overall health and well-being. When your dog's nails are long, they can split and tear, which can be extremely painful. In addition, long nails can also put your dog at risk for infection.
Canine Arthritis Management and Big Barker Live
  Join Big Barker and Canine Arthritis Management for a very special Facebook Live on Tuesday, March 22nd, 2022 at 11 AM EST.  Dr. Hannah Capon strongly believes that by better educating people, including both owners and vets – about...
Harnesses and Joint Health: Phoenix Pack
Just like people, dogs can suffer from joint problems. Since one in four dogs will be diagnosed with arthritis, and large dogs are especially prone to joint problems, it is important to take steps to help protect your dog's joints.
Can pet parents prevent hypertrophic osteodystrophy (HOD)?
Can pet parents prevent hypertrophic osteodystrophy (HOD)? Hypertrophic osteodystrophy (HOD) is a confusing disease, partly because it has so many different names. Also known as metaphyseal osteopathy,  Möller Barlow’s disease, skeletal scurvy, infantile scurvy, osteodystrophy II, and metaphyseal dysplasia. See...
What are the top 3 ways sleep impacts a dog’s health?
Dr. Hannah Capon: Canine Arthritis Management (CAM) Canine Arthritis Management (CAM) was developed by Hannah Capon, a veterinary surgeon with wide-ranging experience of working with arthritic dogs, their owners and fellow professionals to create effective long-term management plans. CAM is...
Dr. Rachel Mar's Big Barker Bed Review
As you know, I am very passionate about preventative pet care. Part of this journey for me has been discovering healthy ways to prevent dogs from developing disease and treating them in a holistic way.  Arthritis is a severely debilitating and unfortunately...
Tips for Canine Arthritis
  In this blog post, we will discuss everything you need to know about joint health and large breed dogs. Joint health is a major concern for many dog owners, especially those who own large breeds. There are a number...
How To Cut Large Dogs Nails

You love your dog more than anything in the entire world, you want the best for them and you can't hardly believe they are yours to care for! You hate to see them upset and you love it when their tail is wagging and eyes are glowing.  But one thing they hate is their nails being clipped or filed which leads to stress, anxiety and negativity in the house for both you and your pet.  You don't want to upset your beloved puppy or dog, so sometimes you push it off a few more days.  Other times, you take your dog to the vet to have them do their nail grooming instead of doing it at home. We've all been there- nail grooming and clipping is not always fun and easy! 

Joint Problems Don't Have To Be A Pain
There are nutrients in many foods that help reduce swelling, stiffness, and joint pain in humans, and they can do the same for your dog. Ingredients in some whole, healthy foods and supplements can bring relief to a dog with arthritis, or one who's just had surgery.
My dog is slowing down. Is that normal or something I should worry about?
What does it mean when your dog shows signs of "slowing down" and what should you do about it?
Is Rimadyl an Effective Treatment for Arthritis?

Learn about the ways that prescriptions like Rimadyl and Gabapentin can help with a dog's arthritis. 

Can Arthritis Come on Suddenly in Dogs?
We know that arthritis is a common problem for older dogs, especially big dogs, but does it ever come on suddenly? See what Dr. Capon has to say.
5 Reasons Why Dogs Need Great Sleep Support
Did you know dogs can sleep up to 18 hours a day? A good quality night’s sleep is as important for your dog’s health as it is for your health. Here are the top five reasons I believe why all...
Help! My Dog Has Hip Dysplasia
Hip dysplasia. Those two little words can strike fear into any dog owner, but I’m here to give you hope and lots of it. If your dog has hip dysplasia, or you think they do, well, I have good news. There are five easy things you can do to help ease your dog’s pain today.