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  • The proper administration of eye medications is essential for your pet's prompt recovery. Make sure you carefully read the label and understand the prescription instructions. If you have any questions, contact your veterinarian for clarification.

  • Applying eye ointments to your dog's eye(s) can be a challenging or easy task. The proper administration of eye medications is essential for your dog’s prompt recovery. It is important to use the medication as directed for the full duration and contact your veterinarian if you have problems. The tips and instructions in this handout may make administering your dog’s eye ointment easier.

  • Applying topical medications to your pet can be a challenge. Ointments, creams, and lotions are for external use only. It is important to prevent your dog from licking and swallowing any of these external preparations as they may contain ingredients that could be harmful if swallowed. If you find it difficult to prevent your pet from licking the medication, contact your veterinarian to have them fitted for an Elizabethan collar.

  • An arrhythmia is an abnormal heart rate or rhythm that occurs when the electrical signals that tell your dog's heart to beat are not working properly. The heart may beat too fast or too slowly, skip beats, or beat irregularly. While not always dangerous, the cause should always be investigated.

  • Arsenic poisoning is the development of clinical signs after ingestion, skin contact, or inhalation of products containing a toxic dose of arsenic. Arsenic is a metal-like substance found naturally in rocks, soil, and water, but usually in small, harmless amounts.

  • Osteoarthritis is a common condition affecting bones and joints in many older dogs. Medications, physical therapy, nutrition, and surgery may all be considered to help alleviate the pain.

  • This handout discusses arthroscopy, the insertion of a telescope-like camera into a joint. The joints commonly examined and treated using this technique, along with the benefits and risks of this procedure, are outlined.

  • Ascorbic acid (also known as Vitamin C) is an essential vitamin needed to maintain good nutrition and a healthy immune system. Some animals, such as guinea pigs, need ascorbic acid added to their diet as they cannot produce it on their own. It is used to treat scurvy in guinea pigs, as an antioxidant for certain toxins that cause methemoglobinemia in cats and dogs, and as a stool softener in rabbits.

  • This handout discusses aspergillosis in dogs, an infection, growth, or allergic response caused by the Aspergillus fungus. If your dog becomes infected, it can be confined to the nasal passages (nasal aspergillosis), or it can spread throughout the body (systemic aspergillosis). The clinical signs, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of both conditions are outlined.

  • Aspirin is a commonly used, over-the-counter, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to treat fever, pain, inflammation (swelling), and clotting disorders in humans. Aspirin poisoning occurs when a dog ingests a toxic dose of aspirin, either through misuse or accident. High doses may damage major organs like the liver, kidneys, and central nervous system.