Tiny bones, big problems
Ben J. Character, Veterinarian Special to ESPNOutdoors.comAlthough small, sesamoid bones are an important component to a properly functioning skeletal system.
Story | Conversation | September 28, 2005Teething: The puppy vice
Ben J. Character, Veterinarian Special to ESPNOutdoors.comWhat, exactly, is going on in a pup's mouth that might make it more inclined to chew during the first few months of life?
Story | Conversation | September 13, 2005Caring for eye problems
Ben J. Character, Veterinarian Special to ESPNOutdoors.comCare for eye injuries should not be put off. Here are some problems to watch for in your dog.
Story | Conversation | September 01, 2005Cherry eye in sporting dogs
Ben J. Character, Veterinarian Special to ESPNOutdoors.comA prolapsed gland of the third eyelid is a common problem encountered in hunting dogs, especially in the hounds.
Story | Conversation | September 01, 2005Snakebit: Rattler vaccine
Ben J. Character, Veterinarian Special to ESPNOutdoors.comEvery year many a good dog is lost to snakebite envenomation, but the good news is that there is a new piece of armor against one of your dog's most vile enemies.
Story | Conversation | April 05, 2005Blasto: A little yeast spoils the loaf
Ben J. Character, Veterinarian Special to ESPNOutdoors.comBlastomycosis, frequently shortened to simply "blasto," is a fungal disease caused by the organism Blastomyces dermatitides. In nature Blastomyces lives in the soil in the fungal form, but when it is inhaled into the warmer temperature of a body cavity (dog's or man's) it changes into a yeast form. It is this yeast that is so deadly.
Story | Conversation | March 24, 2005Caring for the diabetic hunting dog
Ben J. Character, Veterinarian Special to ESPNOutdoors.comDiabetes is a lifelong disease, but it doesn't necessarily mean that a dog cannot still hunt. With proper diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring most diabetic hunting dogs can continue to perform.
Story | Conversation | February 10, 2005The case of the wound that wouldn't heal
Ben J. Character, Veterinarian Special to ESPNOutdoors.comRecognize when an injury continues to worsen in spite of treatment efforts or seems to heal only to rupture open again and again.
Story | Conversation | January 18, 2005Water woes: It's a year-round danger
Ben J. Character, Veterinarian Special to ESPNOutdoors.comChronic water exposure and freezing temperatures can make being in the water a dangerous proposition for the retriever, but even when temperatures are mild, water can cause problems for your dog.
Story | Conversation | January 12, 2005Frozen breeding
Ben J. Character, Veterinarian Special to ESPNOutdoors.comOne method of overcoming long distances when trying to breed a dog is the use of frozen or chilled semen.
Story | Conversation | January 04, 2005Keeping the older athlete in the field
Ben J. Character, Veterinarian Special to ESPNOutdoors.comEven the most cursory search of the current literature reveals abundant new research that specifically focuses on the needs of the older, or "geriatric," dog, making the increase in life expectancy we enjoy also available for our dogs
Story | Conversation | December 22, 2004Vested interests
Ben J. Character, Veterinarian Special to ESPNOutdoors.comThe ultimate "tool" for the waterfowl hunter is their retriever. But, there are also tools that can be advantageous to our retrievers as well. One of the most popular is the neoprene vest.
Story | Conversation | November 30, 2004Tale of the lost wag
Ben J. Character, Veterinarian Special to ESPNOutdoors.comKnown in the bird dog world as "limber tail," exactly when and what causes a case to occur is somewhat of a mystery. It causes the tail to look like it is dead - just hanging there. When you pick it up and let go, it just drops right back down, or in some cases, the tail will hang limp except for three or four inches right at the base. In most cases the tail is not painful, but when it is, pressure applied to the base may make the dog cry out in pain.
Story | Conversation | November 15, 2004Locking knees: MPL in squirrel dogs
Ben J. Character, Veterinarian Special to ESPNOutdoors.comSquirrel hunting is growing in popularity not only as leisure hunting but also in the competitive arena. With it's growth has come the development of the newest members of the sporting dog community
Story | Conversation | October 19, 2004Breeding decisions: PennHIP vs. OFA
Ben J. Character, Veterinarian Special to ESPNOutdoors.comIf you are into breeding your dogs deciding on just the right pair can be pretty hard some times. One of the decisions may be faced with is what hip certification to use. Do I use OFA, or do I use PennHIP?
Story | Conversation | September 15, 2004TOP SEARCHES IN NOVEMBER
Bowl Projections tops ESPN.com searches in November. Did "auburn" make the list?