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I have heard about hiatal hernias in people. What are they and do dogs get them?
A hernia occurs when one part of your body protrudes through a gap or opening into another part of the body. Many types of hernias occur in the abdominal area. Hiatal hernias, also known as diaphragmatic hernias, form at the opening (hiatus) in the diaphragm, where the food tube (esophagus) joins the stomach. When the muscle tissue around the hiatus becomes weak, the upper part of the stomach may bulge through the diaphragm into the chest cavity. Hiatal hernia refers to the protrusion of the abdominal contents into the chest cavity through the esophageal hiatus of the diaphragm.

Hypothyroidism is caused by a thyroid hormone deficiency in the body. People suffering from low thyroid levels may feel sluggish or gain weight easily. The same holds true in dogs. But affected dogs may display other symptoms because the thyroid hormone, known as thyroxine, affects just about every organ in the body.

Heartworms are long, spaghetti-like worms that inhabit the pulmonary arteries and the right side of the heart. The worms can interfere with the heart's pumping action, irritate the heart and blood vessels, and lead to death if not treated.

What is canine herpesvirus?
Canine herpesvirus or canine herpes is a systemic, often fatal disease of puppies caused by CHV – Canine Herpes Virus. CHV is common worldwide in dogs, coyotes, and wolves. CHV does not cause infection in humans. CHV may remain latent or “hidden and quiet” in tissues after a dog is infected and may be passed on to other dogs, particularly to fetuses developing in the mother's uterus. Stress or other illness may cause recrudescence or “re-infection” in a dog that has previously been exposed. The incubation period in puppies is 4 to 6 days, after which clinical signs develop or sudden death occurs. Herpes viruses affect different species differently. In man, the infections are sexually transmitted and primarily cause clinical signs associated with the external genitalia.

The easiest way to give your dog a pill is to hide the pill in food. This usually works best if the pill is hidden in a small amount of canned dog food, peanut butter, or cottage cheese. To ensure that the pill is swallowed, it is better to hand feed a small amount of food that the dog is certain to eat rather than offering a large portion that the dog may not completely consume. Some dogs may spit out the pill, so it is important to carefully observe your pet after administering the medication.

Administering ear medications to your dog can be challenging. Remember that your pet’s ears may be painful and that even a normally gentle and passive dog may respond by struggling, biting or scratching. You may need to muzzle your dog for this procedure.

The proper administration of eye medications is essential for your pet’s prompt recovery. Make sure that you wash your hands both before and after administering the medication to prevent the potential spread of infection.

The easiest way to give your dog a liquid medication is to mix it with some canned food. To ensure that the medication is swallowed, it is best to hand-feed a small amount of food containing the medication, rather than a large portion that the dog may not completely consume. Some dogs may be unwilling to eat the food, or may have dietary restrictions that prevent you from using this technique. Also, some medications need to be taken on an empty stomach. If this is the case, you will need to administer the medication directly into your dog’s mouth.

What is heart failure?
Heart failure is defined as the inability of the heart to maintain sufficient blood circulation to meet the body's needs. Heart failure usually describes a failure of the heart muscle (myocardial failure) or heart valve (mitral valve insufficiency or MVI). This can affect the right or the left ventricle. MVI is the most common cause of heart failure in dogs. MVI is more common in small breeds than large bre