Are you Training Your Puppy Or Is He Training You? All puppies are cute and cuddly when they are young. However, all puppies grow up and depending on their training; they may or may not fit into a family. When people find a puppy at the likes of Pets for Sale they usually...
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Six Great Sports to Try with Your Dog. Looking for a way to involve Fido in your personal love of sports or to get in shape with your dog? You can always put on a pair of tennis shoes and take your dog for a jog, but if you’re looking for some more interesting...
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How to Keep Your Pet Happy and Safe While Traveling Whether you’re traveling with your dog, cat, turtle, or rabbit, it’s best to be prepared for some challenges, particularly if you’re traveling by plane. Most pets are creatures of habit and don’t like to leave their homes. Dogs are the exception because many...
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Getting the right nutritional balance for your dog is vitally important to ensure the health and happiness of your pet. For example, BETA dog food from GJW Titmuss offer a wide range of quality dog foods that strike that nutritional balance with perfect precision. Every single one of their products has been expertly...
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From a vet's point of view it is always good to spend a couple of minutes first with the client to discuss what is going to happen so they understand what is going on and will be ready for it. Many clients will be very distraught so the time for talking is before the...
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Today is a free rabies vaccination program for the local dogs and we will also be providing free collars and leads, today I vaccinated close on 150 dogs. Rabies is important here not just for the health of the dogs concerned but also for the human population as deaths following bites from rabid dogs...
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Intussusceptions are seen in both dogs and cats but in my experience it is much rarer in the cat. As a primary condition it is common in younger animals say below four months of age but where it occurs in middle aged or older animals it can be secondary to other conditions such as...
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The good news is that Histiocytomas will almost always regress on their own without treatment and leave no lasting health problems. They usually disappear in two or three months. A very small percentage may need surgical removal, while this would be a simple procedure it is as I said rarely necessary.
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But .. now and again, say once a month my wife and I attend official functions such as dinners. Of course for those occasions my wife dresses up and when Peter sees her coming out of the bedroom in her formal clothes, hair up, smelling of perfume and clacking along on her heels he...
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Oxytocin is a hormone naturally produced in the part of the brain called the hypothalamus. It is normally presented as an injectable and the concentration of the drug which will be i.u. { International units per ml will be marked on the bottle.} It is possible that different formulations from different manufacturers will...
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It is well known and recorded that The Prophet Mohammed who was often depicted as the kindest of men by his words and actions loved cats.
This is a useful drug in the treatment tick borne diseases such as Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Ehrlichiosis. It is also used to treat leptospirosis and a variety of other diseases in the dog and cat especially respiratory diseases.
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While cystitis is the commonest urinary tract problem found in dogs in my experience the next most common urinary tract disease in dogs is stones in the bladder. First some terminology as this can be confusing to non medical folks, firstly another name for stones in the bladder is urolithiasis, and the actual stones...
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I recently had a comment from a reader who accused me { and all vets } of neutering and castrating dogs just for financial gain and that they were best just left as God intended. While I did reply in a polite fashion I did not make much headway with this person and for...
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The cardinal signs of this disease are marked itching and the appearance of obvious hair loss and skin disease, after a while chronic cases may lose condition and become debilitated. Hair loss and skin disease frequently appears first on elbows and ears but can spread over the whole body. Secondary skin damage can then...
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Lymphoma, { Lymphosarcoma } is a fairly common malignant cancer which affects the lymphoid system of dogs. It mainly affects middle aged and older dogs and some breeds are said to have a predisposition to this disease, these include Rottweilers, Golden Retrievers and German Shepherds amongst others but any breed may be affected.
There...
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There are a number of home remedies for vomiting in the dog, these work well for uncomplicated cases, where for example a dog has eaten something it should not have out in the yard or some unaccustomed rich foodstuff, or has a minor tummy bug. Here are some examples.
This drug is generally considered to be safe and few side effects have been noted, where they have occurred they have included lethargy, sedation, vomiting, diarrhea and inappetance. As always allergic reactions are possible as they are to any drug but these are rare.
An article from a qualified veterinary surgeon. My dog has suddenly got a swollen face, eyes, lips, muzzle. This is typical of an allergic reaction in the dog, though dramatic it is rarely serious.
Now I live in a distant land and have more time on my hands I have been spending some time recently thinking about the history of my profession and I have been doing a little research on the subject. I stress this is just my personal view but I think we can divide the...
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An Article From A Qualified Vet - My Dog Swallowed A Silica Gel Sachet Is This Poisonous. These silica gel sachets are commonly marked that they are not to be eaten so people tend to think they might be toxic but in fact in almost all cases they are completely harmless.
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An Article from a qualified veterinary surgeon. Why does my cat put his toys and things into his water bowl? The most likely explanation of this behaviour is that your pet is trying to find a safe place for his or her favorite things.
I will never forget my first encounter with the RSPCA, which occurred a great many years ago when I was a very young vet and had just set up in practice. That night I happened to be out with a friend of mine and we were in a pub not many miles from West...
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An article from a qualified veterinary surgeon, Hot Spot or Moist Dermatitis in the dog, info diagnosis and treatment. This fairly common in some breeds such as Labradors and Rottweilers. while it does occur in other breeds as well it is those two breeds that I personally saw it in most.
An article from a qualified veterinary surgeon : Syringomyelia In The Dog, Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment. A common disease in the King Charles. These dogs suddenly stood still and cried out in great pain for no obvious reason and some stretched their necks at the same time, my standard treatment when presented with such...
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An article from a qualified veterinary surgeon : My Cat Does Not Use His / Her Litter Tray, What Can I do?
This is a common problem which owners of house cats experience now and again. Sometimes it can happen when you first introduce a new cat to your household but at other times an...
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An article from a qualified veterinary surgeon. Heart tumours, tumors, cardiac cancers of the dog, diagnosis and treatment. Heart tumours { cancers } of the dog are quite rare, so much so that this condition often catches vets out. While in theory many cancers could affect this area of the body on a sporadic...
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In this exclusive video from moneysupermarket.com, Sheila Stewart from Capricorn Animal Rescue discusses the importance of pet insurance. Covering your pet with insurance could be a matter of life or death. As discussed in a previous article 56 per cent of vets claimed that they had to put down peoples pets as they were...
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Clindamycin is a commonly used antibiotic for treating susceptible bacterial infections in dogs and cats. It exerts it's anti-bacterial effects by suppressing protein synthesis and growth. This is the way that other antibiotics such Erythromycin and Lincomycin work.
An article from a qualified veterinary surgeon. Amoxicillin is an antibiotic which is related to penicillin and is used to treat bacterial infections in dogs.
An article from a qualified veterinary surgeon ... What is Melatonin? What is it used for in the dog? This article will cover dose rates for Melatonin, give you some basic information about Melatonin and also list some of it's potential side effects.
An article on diabetes in the dog from a qualified veterinary surgeon. This is not a disease you will be able to handle 100% on your own, best results will come when the vet and owner approach the problem on a team basis. Over the years I have observed that dogs belonging to owners...
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An article from a qualified veterinary surgeon. The symptoms of hyperthyroidism in the cat can be confusing even for experienced professionals but it is quite a common disease so it is is worth going over this subject again here on VetBlog. One of the first things to consider when you suspect this disease is...
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Dehydration In Dogs, How To Keep Them Happy And Healthy. An article from VetBlog UK. The body mass of dogs, like humans, is approximately 80% water. Water is essential to sustain life. It allows substances to dissolve and pass through the body; it is fundamental to virtually all the processes and chemical reactions...
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The Sheep Tick Ixodus Ricinus. This article is from our guest author Sue Gilmore, you can visit her web site HERE Climate change seems to affect just about everything nowadays and the migration of a European tick, Dermacentor Reticulates, is being attributed to it as well. The national press has recently featured...
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So the big question is which policy should you choose? well there are a few top ones which spring to mind, all of which would be very suitable. I have been doing a little bit of research on the net over the last couple of days comparing pet insurance companies...
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Cat Asthma, feline allergic bronchitis, feline eosinophilic bronchitis feline lower airway disease. Cat asthma is a respiratory disease very like human asthma, this can be a confusing situation as this disease is also known by other names such as feline allergic bronchitis, feline eosinophilic bronchitis and feline lower airway disease, however cat asthma...
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The mode of action of anipryl is fairly complex. It raises dopamAnipryline levels in the brain which in turn stimulates dopamine receptors in the brain, it is this process which is thought enhance brain function and reduce the symptoms of this distressing disease. The effect of this drug is also to increase the levels...
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Young kittens will play all day just as young children will laugh all day but as humans and cats get older we get more serious and settled. In most cases this is just normal and a part of feline life but in some cases dramatic changes in behaviour can be noted in older cats...
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A Concise Guide To Chronic Kidney { Renal } Failure In The Dog. Chronic renal failure is a fairly common problem in all dog breeds, usually it affects older and geriatric dogs but some breeds are said to be more prone to this disease than others. These susceptible breeds include Cocker Spaniels, Dobermans,...
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The Salmonella Bacteria. Salmonella in Dogs This is an infection you sometimes see in dogs caused by the Salmonella bacteria. In the dog it can cause vomiting and diarrhoea, abortion and wider infections in the body. It is a disease of significance as infected dogs can be a source of this unpleasant disease in...
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CDRM for short { Chronic Degenerative Radiculomyelopathy or Canine degenerative myelopathy }. Or how I became Appointed Official Veterinary Surgeon to The Principality Of Sealand. Over the last thirty years or so I have seen a lot of clients come and go, mainly they were just nice normal people of course but one...
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Not all animals in which infection has been demonstrated have clinical signs but where symptoms have occurred they have included diarrhoea, vomiting, weight loss and flatulence. This leads some vets to believe that Giardia rarely causes disease but may be a common and harmless gut inhabitant,
Cherry Eye is a fairly common problem seen in dog’s eyes, it is more properly called prolapse of the gland of the third eyelid or nictitating membrane. The owner will see this as a sudden appearance of a small red lump about the size of a pea in the inside corner of...
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The Affenpinscher dog breed originated in Germany, these origins are shown in it’s name Affe meaning an ape or monkey in German. { They are said to have a monkey like expression }. The breed was created to be a ratter, working to remove rodents from kitchens, granaries, and stables and they...
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The feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is associated with various disease situations such as tumours and anaemia in cats, but it also causes significant problems by suppressing the immune system of the cat. This leaves the cat susceptible to a number of other diseases that can then be more serious as the cat...
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As it’s name suggests acute pancreatitis results from a sudden inflammation process of the pancreas. While the pancreas is well known for it’s role in producing insulin and it’s connection with diabetes it has a number of other functions as well. One of these is the production of pancreatic enzymes and the...
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. The Bloodhound is a familiar sight in movies that feature escaped convicts. Although the sound of these big dogs baying as they find the scent they are searching for may be a chilling sound to an escapee, it can be a comforting sound. After all, Bloodhounds are also used to track people who...
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. Ever since Rin Tin Tin became a famous television personality, the German Shepherd has gone from an already popular dog breed to one of the most well known breeds on earth. This versatile dog breed seems to be everywhere that a dog can be of help, from war torn countries to areas where...
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Lyme Disease In The Dog, A Concise Guide. Lyme disease is a disease of dogs and is common in the United States of America as well as other countries. This disease is so called because it was first identified in humans the city of Lyme in Connecticut back in 1975. Although we are...
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While it is exotic and glamorous in name these cats do not originate from the Himalayas, have never seen them in fact, but are the result of a cross between a Persian cat and a Siamese Cat. The breed was first bred in the 1930s by Dr. Clyde Keller of the Harvard Medical school...
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The Scottish Fold cat is also known as the Highland Fold, Scottish Fold Longhair and Coupari. This breed is not for everyone because of their appearance and the fact they come from a small gene pool and like all such breeds can have inherited defects, in this case Polycystic Kidney Disease, Cardiomyopathy...
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Addison’s disease which is more properly called canine Hypoadrenocorticism) is a condition in which is basically a malfunctioning of a dog’s adrenal glands. Obviously proper functioning of the adrenal gland is very important, as this gland produces many other hormones essential to your dog’s health and adrenal gland malfunction can affect many other organ...
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Cat dental hygiene is critical to insure a thoroughly clean bill of overall health. Cats additionally need their teeth to be cleaned due to the fact it can cause them numerous other conditions relating to their health and wellness. For example, in case your pet kitty has gum complications, it may not eat...
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Housing Your Iguana. The first thing you want to know about is how big the iguana cage has to be. Some people have the misconception that the cage will limit the size of the iguana. This is not true, an iguana under ideal conditions can grow up to 6 feet long. This means that...
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Ringworm is a very common form of skin disease that is found in both dogs and cats. Although its name makes you think otherwise, this skin disease isn’t caused by any type of worm. It’s actually caused by fungi known as Dermatophytes that feed on dead tissues found in the surface of the skin,...
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For many years, cats have taken care of their own breeding. The original use of cats was pretty much the sole purpose of rodent elimination. With further domestication, humans began to breed cats to fit our other needs, much as we did with our other companions, dogs. If looked at closely,...
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The history of the Rag doll cat breed is that they first originated in 1960′s from a ” moggie ” cat in the United States. A lady called Ann Baker had a kittens via this ” Moggie ” cat and decided because of their affectionate nature and beautiful appearance that they were worthy...
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The Airedale Terrier is not an old breed, it is thought to have originated about a hundred years ago in the country of York in the UK from a breed known as The Ancient Working Terrier. The breed is also known as the “The King of Terriers,” the Airedale was named after...
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. The Saint Bernard has always been a favorite breed, but never more so than it is today, especially in the United States. Over the centuries, this great big “teddy bear” dog’s main claim to fame has been the miraculous rescuing of victims lost in the European Alps. Ever since Barry, the world’s most...
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. The Afghan Hound Dog Breed. The Afghan Hound’s ancestry dates back thousands of years to the greyhound family, although he is most closely connected to the Persian Greyhound. After arriving in Afghanistan from Arabia and Persia, this distinctive dog’s coat is thought to have developed in response to the harsher climate. The breed...
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. I have found there are many reasons a invisible underground dog fence collar will activate in a area that it should not. The most common is a stray signal off of a cable TV line. This happens when the underground fence boundary wire piggy backs or runs on top of the cable TV...
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Hamsters are one of the most popular pets in the world, and are definitely the most popular pet from the rodent family. Hamsters make great pets for people of all ages because of their cleanliness and cuteness, and hamsters are also relatively inexpensive and easy to take care of. A hamster usually makes an...
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I have always found Cushing’s Disease quite difficult to explain to owners, perhaps because it is very rare in people { and cats } but fairly common in the dog. It commonly affects middle-aged to older dogs, and seems to be more common in some breeds such as Poodles, Dachshunds, terriers, German Shepherds,...
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Over the last thirty years or so I have often been asked by clients which breed of dog they should consider if they live in a small house or flat. Here are some points to consider based on my experience and the advice I have given. 1. If you live in a...
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The routine administration of vaccines in dogs and cats has been one of the most significant factors in the consistent reduction of serious dog and cat infectious diseases. This approach has resulted in excellent disease control for infections that were once considered important causes of poor health and death. Although all veterinarians agree...
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Insulinoma is a rare form of cancer that affects the pancreas of dogs and to a lesser extent cats. It affects the beta cells present in their pancreas, these beta cells are responsible of secretion of insulin and many more hormones in their body. Insulinomas affect the body as they produce larger amount...
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My cats are indoor cats and I am very fond of both of them, as they are indoors they have a litter tray but I do not love that! Litter boxes by their very nature will smell and are unpleasant but there are things you can do to reduce the smells in your...
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So what was the origin of these first cats and where did they come from? Of course no one can know for sure but it is highly likely that is was a wild cat called Felis Libyca. It is thought that agriculture as we know it first took place in the Middle East in...
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From time to time in practice I saw dogs which had suddenly become disorientated, had rapid sideways movement of the eye, and had a head tilt. These dogs tend to be confused and stressed this is in part no doubt due to the sudden onset of the symptoms and they stagger about like sailors...
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We have been concerned over the last week or so because of noises from within the house in the early hours and finding various doors within the house open when I knew I had closed them last thing at night. The first time it happened I was so concerned I mobilised our local armed...
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Christmas Day is also a common day for chocolate poisoning. In the wee hours of the morning, a sly dog can sneakily creep under the inviting Christmas tree, open, and enjoy inciting chocolate treats. Another celebration possibly ruined. Too much chocolate at Halloween can make kids really sick, but sharing with man's best friend...
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Given half a chance most dogs will take on the role of dumpster drivers and swallow all kinds of things, often this does little harm but you have to be wary if this involves chicken bones, rib bones or any other small bone which could splinter and cause your dog problems. If you suspect...
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The symptoms of this disease are very striking and can be disturbing to watch.In its classical form these dogs appear to be staring fixedly at objects far in the distance or watching imaginary flies buzzing in front of their faces and then trying to bite these imaginary flies. When they are having an attack...
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An article from a qualified veterinary surgeon. Cystitis, Bladder Infection In The dog, diagnosis, Treatment. The above x-ray shows a dog’s bladder and points to a bladder stone. Cystitis { bladder infections / colds in the bladder } is quite common situation in female dogs. Why should this be? Well most acute cystitis episodes...
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So how would you define congestive heart failure in the dog in general terms? Basically the heart is a pump and anything which can cause problems in it's structure or function may make it so inefficient that we then say it is in heart failure. The congestive terminology will apply when normal amounts of...
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So what happens if a cat fails to regulate it's body temperature? Well a cat's normal body temperature is normally around 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit if the cat's body temperature rises to around 105 or 106 degrees for any length of time then the cat may suffer heat stroke. The symptoms you might expect to...
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Today let’s cover another cat breed the Turkish Van, the characteristic which is commonly known about this breed by the general public is that they love water and are said to be able to swim and perhaps some of them can, beyond that the average person will known little more about them. By...
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They first reached the public attention in London at an exhibtion at the Crystal Palace in 1871. Following this publicity there was there public demand for the breed and it became established in the UK. Twenty years later the breed arrived in America and again gained great favour with the cat owning public and...
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Today lets cover famous cats and their famous owners. When I lived in England my house was about one hours drive from Chartwell which was the country residence of the famous British Prime Minister Winston Churchill. It is now owned by The National Trust and open to the public, I visited there more than...
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The History Of Cats 2 – Cats As Gods And Objects Of Worship. Cats as Gods and objects of worship are most closely associated with ancient Egypt than any other culture I can find out about, the ancient Egyptians had several cat Gods and Goddesses. Larger cats were also involved, for example lions were...
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I have been a vet involved with cat health for a great number of years and if the tables were turned and I was an owner there would be a number of questions I would ask to help me choose a veterinary surgeon I could trust. My aim here is that you should be...
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Having been a small animal veterinary surgeon for a great number of years I have of course come into contact with many people who have lost a much loved pet or animal companion and are very upset and are mourning for their loss and may continue to do so for some considerable time. Looking...
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So what are the trigger factors which eventually lead to a chronic lick granuloma? There have been quite a few of these put forward : Consider boredom, a manifestation of compulsive behaviour disorder or anxiety due to stress of some kind. Other possible causes include allergies, fleas, demodex, fungal infections and bacterial infections or...
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I in common with I suspect most other small animal vets think that where you diagnose pyometra then surgery is the way to go. My experience is then that almost all such dogs go on to have a normal, happy, good quality life after the operation. As an alternative some owners want you to...
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I will put a myth to rest, one of the main reasons that people will choose this breed is that it is said that Devon Rex cats are hypoallergenic and so can be kept by those allergic to cats. Unfortunately this supposition is often mistaken as no breed of cat is completely hypoallergenic.
What I personally found most poignant was the graves of the much loved dogs which were pets and mascots of the British pilots who fought in the first world war, they seem to have been buried with full military honours. The poignancy lies in the fact that the odds are that the young carefree...
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If you are seeing maggot like objects crawling round round your dog or cat's anal area these would most likely be tape worm segments. These are not directly transmissible dog to dog but are spread via the dog or cat flea and via rodents in the case of the cat. They are about the...
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Some dogs need to be on this drug for life with others the disease can be controlled with relatively short courses although a complete cure may not be achievable. Once an animal is successfully maintained on this drug it is often in the owner's best interest to adjust the dose both in terms of...
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Before starting phenylpropanolamine it would be a very good idea to have a vet examine your dog and confirm the diagnosis. the problem you face is that there are other possible diagnosis which can present like this. Consider bladder infections, kidney problems, diabetes, neurological disorders to name just a few. However as I said...
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If it is at all possible it is always worth calling your vet as soon as possible in case anti-venom is available, also some dogs get in a bad way after a snake bite and will need intensive care such as drips etc. and of course this is best delivered by your vet if...
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Amitriptyline belongs to a class of drugs known as tricyclic anti-depressants and is used to treat conditions in the dog and cat which involve anxiety. In the dog these conditions would include separation anxiety and various recognised compulsive disorder conditions. In the cat I have found it very useful in treating cats which urinate...
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In my experience scorpion stings are not such a serious thing as venomous snake bites such as from a cobra say, a situation I also deal with by the way. One fact which I have learned is that not all scorpions are very venomous and the bite from some species can be very minor,...
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An article from VetBlog UK concerning conditions which can affect the anal glands of domestic dogs. These include impacted anal glands, anal gland abscesses and cancer of the anal gland.
This is a very common phobia in the dog, one which every small animal vet has to deal with now and again. At the first sign of thunder, the affected dog suddenly runs for cover, hides in some place such as under the bed and is wide eyed, trembling and panting. Since there is...
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What are the symptoms? : The symptoms of this disease are variable and subtle, it could well happen that this disease is not diagnosed and is missed in it's early stages. The clinical signs could include lethargy, obesity, hair loss, changes in skin pigment and a low heart rate. A few dogs can develop...
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From time to time vets are presented with dogs which are salivating excessively, and these can be perplexing cases to resolve. Sometimes the only symptom you see is salivation which can come in quite surprising amounts but at other cases can present with an additional range of other symptoms. There are quite a...
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Not found what you were looking for? Search again using the search box below. Or have a live consult with an online vet right now! This article was brought to you by Scott Nimmo BVMS MRCVS. If you have found it to be interesting or of value please share it with your social media...
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Affected puppies are usually between one and four months of age and the precise cause of this disease is not well understood. While they may well have some form of bacterial infection there is also thought to be an auto-immune component to this disease. There may be more to it than that as some...
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Scott Nimmo BVMS, MRCVS