Home / Resources & Insights / Archives for Mimi Padmabandu / Page 2
Mimi Padmabandu
All work
Dog Genetics 101
Genetics is the study of how DNA is passed down from one generation to the next. It is a complicated, always-changing field. Here, we’ll explain the basic concepts in dog genetics and define some genetics terms that you might see in your dog’s Embark results. Key terms in dog genetics explained You may see some...
Dog Toy Safety Tips
Toys are important parts of your dog’s life. They provide enrichment, exercise, an outlet for teething, and—most importantly—fun! But dog toys can also pose potential safety hazards. Keep your dog safe and avoid potential injuries with these dog toy safety tips. General dog toy safety tips Always inspect new toys before giving them to your dog....
Dog First Aid and Preparing for Emergencies
Emergencies can strike at any time. Being prepared with a dog first aid kit and an emergency plan can help you respond to unexpected injuries, accidents, or natural disasters. In some cases, it may even be lifesaving. How to make a dog first aid kit Many of the items commonly found in a family first...
Dietary Indiscretion in Dogs
Sometimes called “garbage gut,” dietary indiscretion is an issue that affects many pets, though it’s most common in dogs. What is dietary indiscretion? Simply put, dietary indiscretion refers to any time your dog eats something they shouldn’t—including garbage, table scraps, or non-food items. It is often accompanied by signs of gastrointestinal (GI) upset, such as...
Preparing Your Dog for Hearing Loss
Congenital deafness is an inherited form of hearing loss in dogs. There are many types of congenital deafness in dogs, affecting at least 100 different breeds. One such form of hearing loss is early-onset adult deafness (EOAD) in Rhodesian Ridgeback dogs. (In fact, Embark scientists discovered this variant, in partnership with the Rhodesian Ridgeback Club...
Preparing Your Dog for Vision Loss
There are many causes of vision loss in dogs. As dogs get older, it’s natural for their eyesight to be less sharp than it used to be. Senior dogs are at increased risk of vision loss from various age-related conditions, including macular degeneration, iris atrophy, and geriatric cataracts. The good news is that dogs generally...
Embark Partners with AnimalBiome to Study the Dog Microbiome
In partnership with AnimalBiome, leaders in canine microbiome research, Embark Veterinary now offers tests and supplements designed to support dogs’ digestive and oral health. What is the microbiome? Both humans and animals have a community of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other microorganisms that live inside the body. Collectively called the microbiome, these microorganisms play important...
How to Talk to Your Veterinarian About Your Dog’s MDR1 Result
By knowing your dog’s genetic risk for MDR1 drug sensitivity, you and your veterinarian can take steps to make sure that your dog doesn’t have a bad reaction to certain drugs. What is MDR1? Multidrug Resistance 1 (MDR1) is caused by a genetic variant in the ABCB1 gene. Dogs who have this genetic variant are...
7 Ways to Manage Anxiety in Dogs
Anxiety in dogs is rarely a simple diagnosis. According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, anxiety is a response to fear and agitation, or apprehension when your dog anticipates a scary situation. Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to help your dog cope. What causes anxiety in dogs? There are many possible causes of...
All About Body Condition Score in Dogs
Wondering if your dog may be under- or overweight? Every dog’s ideal weight is different. A body condition score is a tool that you can use in between vet visits to monitor your dog’s weight and help them stay in a healthy range. What is a body condition score in dogs? A body condition score...
How Restoring Rave’s Gut Health Helped Her Love Mealtime
Most dogs love their food. So when puppy Rave refused to eat, Liz Burke was worried. Liz has three dogs: Rave, a three-year-old Border Collie; Wasabi, a two-year-old Border Collie; and Bishop, a nine-year-old mixed-breed dog. Liz’s family includes three domestic shorthair cats: Cyril Figgis, Archer, and Owen. After years of trying new diets—none of...
Decoding Max from How the Grinch Stole Christmas
This holiday season, we’re decoding Max, the beloved fictional dog from How the Grinch Stole Christmas! Max joins Clifford and Scooby-Doo in our Embark Decoded series. If we ran an Embark dog DNA test on Max, what would we find? What type of dog is Max from The Grinch? Max is a true mystery mutt—no...