Dogs are social creatures and they form strong bonds with people. Having a furry best friend is, without doubt, the greatest thing in the world, but it is not uncommon for your pooch to feel anxious when they are separated from you. Most dogs will adapt well to daily...
Cats love a good scratch. Not only is it a good form of exercise but they get to sharpen their claws. Scratching also helps them to leave scent markers or a "calling card." Unfortunately, some cats choose to sharpen their claws on furniture and think that the back of...
An endocrine disease is a fancy way of describing a disease that is caused by a hormonal imbalance. These diseases are relatively common and can greatly affect your pet’s quality of life. Some diseases can even be life threatening if they are not diagnosed and treated...
If you have just brought home a new puppy, kitten or rescue pet, training should begin straight away. It is easy for a dog or cat to pick up bad habits quickly, especially when they are settling in. If you let your puppy sleep in your bed initially, this is where he...
It is not uncommon in the warmer months for our furry friends to come into contact with a snake. Even our more residential pets can still be at risk if walked near waterways or at the beach. As snakes hibernate or are inactive during cold weather, snake bites usually...
Rex the fun loving kelpie was running in the park chasing his ball when he suddenly couldn't put any weight on his left hind leg. A veterinary examination revealed a suspected cranial cruciate ligament rupture (CrCl) - one of the most common orthopaedic conditions...
Activyl is the excellent new monthly 'spot-on' flea product for cats and dogs. it uses new technology to activate a potent insecticide inside the flea and means less unnecessary chemical exposure to your pet, family and household. It is water-fast for 4 weeks, and...
Our tech-savvy readers may be interested to know that there is now a smart phone app available to help calculate your pet's resting respiratory rate (RRR) called 'Heart2Heart monitoring app'. Detecting elevations in RRR can help in the early diagnosis and treatment of...
How to help your cats have healthy teeth and gums throughout their lives. Your pet counts on you for protection With major advances in treating serious infectious and other pet diseases, oral disease – most importantly periodontal or gum disease caused by the buildup...
How to tell if your cat may have an allergy, and an introduction to some treatments. Like people, cats can suffer from allergies. As in the human population, the incidence of allergies in pets seems to be increasing. While allergic humans may often sneeze, wheeze or...
Information on the diagnosis and treatment of this important disease. What is diabetes? Diabetes mellitus is a disease in which your pet’s pancreas can no longer produce enough of the hormone insulin and/or for some reason their body has become resistant to the...
Good communication builds good relationships Just as between people, good relationships between dogs and their owners are based on good communication. Dogs communicate between themselves by means of body signals. It’s only natural, then, that they’ll use the same...
Ticks are small spider-like acarids and fleas are insects, but these two tiny creatures have at least one thing in common—they are both parasites that feed on your dog’s or cat’s blood and can cause a lot of discomfort and more serious health problems. Flea bites may...
Dealing with the Loss of a Pet The death of a beloved pet can be very distressing. Our pets are not only members of the family, they are our faithful friends, our children’s devoted playmates and reliable, affectionate companions for the elderly or disabled. They...
Heartworm disease Heartworm is a parasitic disease that can affect any dog regardless of age, sex or habitat. It is found in many parts of Australia. Heartworm is spread by mosquitoes, and tends to have a higher incidence in areas heavily populated by mosquitoes. Dogs...
Old age is not a disease As a result of advances in veterinary medicine, more knowledgeable care and improved nutrition, dogs are now living much longer, healthier lives. But, just as for humans, the passage of time has its effects, and you may begin to notice that...
It can be heartbreaking to see your once lively, always active best friend begin to limp, or notice his or her obvious pain when moving around. There is, as yet, no cure for osteoarthritis, but there is a great deal that you and your veterinarian can do to decrease...
Like people, dogs can suffer from allergies. As in the human population, the incidence of allergies in pets seems to be increasing. While allergic humans may often sneeze, wheeze or even have serious respiratory difficulties, allergic reactions in pets are...
Always follow the instructions given by your veterinarian. Be sure to administer the full amount of medication over the number of days instructed by your veterinarian. Tablets & Capsules Step 1 • Place the pill between the thumb and the index finger of one hand. •...
Old age is not a disease As a result of advances in veterinary medicine, more knowledgeable care and improved nutrition, cats are now living much longer, healthier lives. But, just as for humans, the passage of time has its effects, and you may begin to notice that...
Pet Proofing your Home Just as parents ‘childproof’ their home, so should pet owners ‘petproof’ theirs. Four-legged members of the family, like infants and small children, are naturally curious and love to explore their environment with their paws, claws and mouths....
CANINE PARVOVIRUS INFECTION What is Canine Parvovirus disease? Canine parvovirus (CPV) infection is a relatively new disease that first appeared in 1978. Because of the severity of the disease and its rapid spread through the canine population, CPV has aroused a...