Author: Marc Smith, DVM

Dr. Marc Smith is a practicing veterinarian in Nashville, TN. His areas of specialty include Traditional Western Medicine, Acupuncture, Herbal Medicine, Chiropractic and Prolotherapy. He is also co-creator of PET | TAO Pet Foods, the first commercially available line of pet food, treats, and supplements combining Western nutritional science with Eastern Food Therapy.

11 Common Questions Regarding Dog Cruciate Ligament Repair

11 Common Questions Regarding Dog Cruciate Ligament Repair

Make the following considerations before making your decision. Question #1: What is the cost for cruciate ligament repair in my dog? The cost of surgical cruciate repair varies by geography and individual surgeon. Expect to pay in the range of $1800-$4000. Just how much you’ll have to spend depends on the surgical procedure performed and […]

Make the Right Choice For Dog Torn Knee Ligaments

Make the Right Choice For Dog Torn Knee Ligaments

I’m going to share a story about my good friend Stella, who suffers from torn knee ligaments. You’d probably never suspect her problems on your own. You see, Stella is a young, healthy dog in the prime of her life. Stella plays hard. She runs, jumps, twists, turns, and retrieves any ball thrown her way. […]

Canine Torn Ligament Treatment: What Are Your Options?

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“We estimated that owners spent $1.32 billion for the treatment of cruciate ligament rupture in dogs in the United States in 2003.” – Wilke et al. As you can see, pet parents spend a lot of money on the treatment of  cranial cruciate ligament injury. Due to the expense, canine torn ligament treatment is a […]

How is A Torn Cruciate Ligament Diagnosed?

Sail-Through-Your-DogsACL-Diagnosis

Your veterinarian will perform three tests to determine whether or not your dog has a ruptured or torn cruciate ligament. Tests to diagnose ruptured or torn cruciate ligament include: Physical exam X-rays Manual instability tests. Physical Exam Your vet will look for the following during the physical exam: Positive Sit Test: Dogs normally sit with […]

Is Dog Hair Loss a Possible First Sign of Cushing’s Disease?

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Dog hair loss, or alopecia, is often the first sign of an endocrine disease like Cushing’s. In addition, other skin-related signs of endocrine disease in your dog could be the following: Thinning of the skin Skin infection or hot spots Comedones (blackheads) Hyperpigmentation Calcinosis cutis (calcium deposition in the skin) Frequently, however, dog hair loss […]

Why Is My Dog Shaking?

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Why is Your Dog Shaking? Shaking is a symptom many veterinarians fail to explain early on. The scenario usually goes as follows. You are bummed out over your dog’s diagnosis of Cushing’s disease is normal and expected. You consider natural treatments, diet, and pharmaceutical drugs. It’s even crossed your mind to leave your best friend […]