Ray Spragley, DVM
Veterinarian
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Co-authored Articles (68)
How to Recognize Mange in Dogs: Symptoms, Treatments, & More
A vet-approved guide on handling sarcoptic and demodectic mange Mange is a type of inflammatory skin disease caused by tiny parasitic mites on dogs. There are two basic types of mange, sarcoptic and demodectic, which hav...
How to Identify and Remove Your Dog's Skin Tags Yourself
Taking care of benign skin growths on your pet While a skin tag on your furry friend is more or less harmless, it can be a bit of an eyesore. What’s more, it may get caught on something and cause injury, leading to ble...
How to
Remove Warts on Dogs
The majority of dog warts are benign and don't necessarily require removal. If you do decide to remove your dog’s warts, however, there are a few home remedies you can try on your own before going to the veterinarian a...
How to
Express a Dog's Anal Gland
Your dog's anal glands are two grape-shaped glands located just below the anus to either side. The pheromones they secrete give canines vital information about one another, including health, age, and sex. This explains w...
How to
Tell if Your Dog Has Fleas
Fleas are a common parasite that can make your dog itchy and uncomfortable. Not only are they annoying and hard to get rid of, but they can also be dangerous to your dog if they’re left untreated. In most cases, you ca...
How to
Detect Flea Bites
Fleas are small, jumping insects that bite humans and other warm-blooded animals, such as dogs and cats, and drink their blood. Since fleas are small and quick, it’s often hard to spot them. If you suspect you’re bei...
Powerful Prayers & Spiritual Words to Send Your Love to Your Sick Dog
Words to speak over your pup to send them healing and comfort Dogs are humanity’s closest companions, and it can be hard to handle when something happens to them. Praying can calm your mind and bring you the peace an...
How to Recognize and Treat a Ruptured Cyst on a Dog
Cysts, or small, fluid-filled pockets along the skin, are pretty commonplace on dogs. It can be really concerning when one ruptures, especially if you aren’t sure what caused the cyst in the first place. Don’t worry!...
How to
Get Rid of a Botfly in a Dog
You’ve noticed your dog scratching at a bump on their skin and discovered a botfly larva—what should you do next? Although there are several home remedies for these pests floating around, the best course of action is...
The Best Ways to Treat Your Dog’s Itchy Ears
Learn how to stop your dog from scratching their ears with our complete guide It’s normal for your dog to scratch their ears from time to time, but when it’s constant? That could be the sign that there’s a bigger ...
How to
Recognize and Treat Salivary Mucocele in Dogs
A salivary mucocele is an uncommon condition where a salivary gland leaks saliva, which then builds up under the skin or under the tongue. It is important to recognize the signs early, since this makes treatment easier a...
When & How to Safely Induce Vomiting in Dogs: Expert-Backed Tips
If you think your dog has ingested something harmful, like a toxin or foreign object, making it vomit can prevent serious illness and even death. This may sound like your go-to solution, but there are situations when it ...
How to
Care for a Dog's Torn Ear
Dogs can damage their ear flaps, which are called pinnas, in all sorts of ways, from pushing their way through thorn bushes, to getting into fights. A dog's ear has a vein running around the edge of the ear flap. A cut o...
How to Soften Dog Tartar Before Calling a Vet
Effective ways to keep a dog’s teeth plaque-free Want to clean your dog’s teeth and remove tartar to give your fuzzy friend a sparkling white smile again? Reducing tartar improves the appearance of your dog’s teeth...
How to
Care for a Dog After It Has Just Vomited
It's not unusual for dogs to vomit occasionally for any number of minor to significant reasons. For example, your dog may love to scavenge and vomit as a way of getting rid of spoilt food from his stomach. However, if yo...
How to
Revive a Puppy
Some puppies are unable to start breathing on their own immediately after birth. In other cases, a puppy beyond newborn stage may become unresponsive due to illness or injury. In either situation, a quick response on you...
How to
Recognize Bloat in Dogs
Bloat is a serious, life-threatening condition. If your dog develops bloat, the sooner you seek urgent veterinary attention, the better his chances of recovery. If you are the least bit suspicious that your dog is develo...
How to
Heal a Torn Dog ACL Without Surgery
The tough fibrous bands that connect the thigh bone (femur) to shin bone (tibia) are called the cruciate ligaments, referred to as the CCL or ACL. Sometimes, high weight bearing activities or continual use of the ligamen...
How to Tell if Your Dog Has Rabies: Warning Signs & More
Recognizing rabies symptoms in dogs (and best treatment options)Your dog has been acting strange lately, and you notice a bite mark on their leg. They were running in the woods the other night…Should you be worried the...
How to
Care for a Dog with a Torn ACL
A torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is a common injury in dogs, which may cause hind-leg lameness. This injury occurs when the ACL in the dog's knee joint stretches or tears, causing either acute or chronic pain. Alt...
