Featured Articles
Cataracts in Dogs – Pet tip 136
The word cataract is probably one you’ve heard before. Perhaps it was in reference to your parents or grandparents, or maybe even from your own doctor. It might surprise you, however, to hear about cataracts from your veterinarian. Most dog …
Freshwater or Saltwater
Many aquarists are inspired to take up the hobby when they first see a well-kept marine tank (saltwater), with its exotic corals, swaying anemone, and flashy tropical fish. However, the costs and considerations when first setting up this type of …
Feeding Senior Pets
As our pet cats and dogs get older, they start to develop their own set of age-related health problems in a similar way that we humans do. While some pets tend to slow down in their old age, others retain that same high level of energy that they had when they were young, and this can sometimes make it difficult for us to recognize that our senior pets may need a little extra care and attention.
Cats that Beg for Food – Pet tip 183
Begging behaviour is really common in dogs and normally occurs when dogs hang around humans eating at a table. They stare you down with their sad eyes; they whimper, paw you and perhaps even bark in order to get you …
RAO in Pet Horses
One of the more common problems affecting horses is a condition known as Recurrent Airway Obstruction (RAO); it can also be referred to as heaves or COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). This is a respiratory disease that is characterized by coughing, increased rate and effort of breathing, and often, nasal discharge. Severely affected horses can also have what is known as a “heaves line” – this is a visible line on the horse’s side, between the lungs and the abdomen, caused by the increased effort of the abdominal muscles to help with breathing; the line is really the increased definition of those abdominal muscles. Other than the respiratory difficulties, horses are otherwise normal. There does not seem to be a breed or gender preference, although older horses are more commonly affected.
Distemper in Dogs – Pet tip 168
Many dog owners, especially new dog owners are likely to hear about distemper and how their dogs should be vaccinated against it because it has the potential to be a dangerous, sometimes fatal disease. Distemper is a highly contagious virus …
Cat Social Behavior
Cats make great pets for so many reasons. They are small in size and don’t occupy a lot of room. They preferentially use a litter box so don’t have to be walked. They can often be left at home alone …
Entropion in Dogs
Entropion is a condition whereby an animal has eyelids that roll inward excessively. This causes its eyelashes and eyelid skin to brush against its eye, leading to irritation. When this condition has been going on for long periods of time, …
Dogs Cats and Endoscopy
Veterinarians have many different types of tests that they can use. Most of the time, a few tests are combined in order to diagnose a problem that your pet has. These tests include everything from blood work and x-rays to CT scans and MRIs. One test in particular is called ‘endoscopy’. Endoscopy is a test that uses a very small video camera that is placed on the end of a long, thin, flexible rod. The rod with the camera on the tip is called an ‘endoscope’. In order for the video camera to work properly, the endoscope may inject air (for example in the digestive tract) or water (for example in the nose) into a body cavity.
