Unfortunately, arthritis affects a significant proportion of middle-aged to elderly dogs and cats, particularly those born with developmental joint problems (such as hip dysplasia) or who have previously suffered a significant joint injury. What is arthritis?...
When it comes to quality of life in cats and dogs, mental health is just as important as physical health. Here are some practical ways you can help support your pet’s brain health and function as they age. Environmental enrichment Keeping older dogs and cats mentally...
Unfortunately, even pets who have previously had excellent toileting control can develop incontinence (urine or stool leakage) issues as they get older. Significant urinary or faecal incontinence can have a negative effect on the quality of life of affected pets, as...
The tastiest medicine Sometimes, good food really is the best therapy. No, we’re not talking about sweets or cupcakes (although our staff would never say no to cupcakes!) – we’re actually referring to prescription diets for pets! Here are some of the most frequently...
Fuel for mischief! How can you support your new pup’s growth and development? Offering the right nutrition and exercise is a great place to start. Nutrition It’s recommended that puppies are fed a high quality, complete and balanced puppy growth diet until they have...
To test or not to test? If you’ve noticed that your pet has a new lump, especially if it is growing quickly or causing discomfort, we recommend booking a consultation with our veterinary team for a proper assessment. With physical examination and further laboratory...
When a lump isn't a tumour Yes, a lump on your pet’s skin could potentially be a tumour requiring further investigation. But rest assured, there are a lot of other things it could be too! Here are some common alternative reasons for localised skin swelling in dogs and...
Common skin lumps Uh oh! You were having a lovely cuddle with your pet when you felt a small lump on their skin… what could it be, and does it warrant a vet visit? Types of skin lumps Lumps on your pet’s skin may be areas of localised infection or inflammation, cysts...
BEWARE! RAT/MOUSE AND SNAIL/SLUG BAIT POISONINGS Unfortunately over the past few weeks, we have been seeing a number of cases of pets (mainly dogs) being poisoned by eating the baits that have been laid in the home or yard for rats/mice and snails/slugs. PLEASE be...
Avoiding medication “cat-astrophes” While we prescribe various oral and topical flea, tick and worming medications for our feline patients, we understand that administering these products to cats at home is not always easy! Here’s how to keep home treatments for your...
That’s a tick for parasite prevention Is your pet up-to-date with a thorough routine of external parasite prevention? Depending on your dog or cat’s home environment and lifestyle, common parasites that could hitch a harmful ride on your pet include fleas, paralysis...
Cat flu? Ah-choo! Despite the simple-sounding name, “cat flu” can be a complex issue for our feline family members! What is cat flu? Cat flu, also known as feline upper respiratory tract disease, is a pattern of respiratory unwellness symptoms that can be caused by...
Preventing parvovirus Our team wants to ensure that all pets are up-to-date with vaccinations appropriate for their age, lifestyle and environment. However, we are particularly concerned about keeping all our canine patients protected against parvovirus. It’s...
Does my dog have worms? Unfortunately, intestinal worms are pretty common in pets - and even the best-kept canine citizens can be susceptible. Young pups can become infected with worms through their mother’s milk or from contact with the faeces of other infected...
Pet breathing difficulties Pet breathing difficulties (also known as dyspnoea) can indicate a serious issue, and may be distressing for both the affected pet and their owner. What are some common causes of pet breathing difficulties? Dyspnoea in pets can be caused by:...
A sting in the tail Bees are sometimes colloquially referred to as “spicy sky raisins”, because our curious pets are often drawn to snap at or play with these buzzing insects, and can unfortunately pay a rather painful price as a result! What will happen to my pet if...
Dietary indiscretion Uh oh, your pet has just stolen and eaten something they shouldn't have… What should you do? If you think that your pet may have eaten something potentially toxic, it’s always best to seek veterinary advice as soon as possible. Time can be of the...
A sharp warning Like us, animals don’t always get on with each other! Unfortunately, the results of their disagreements can range from a warning nip to a full-blown attack or fight. As well as being traumatic and upsetting for the pets involved (and us as owners), dog...
Tummy troubles When our pets are suffering from an upset tummy, we empathise with them and want to relieve their troubles as soon as possible (even if we’re pretty sure their symptoms are the result of some cheeky food scrap stealing). However, it can sometimes be...
Super-friendly cats: 'Slinkies' and 'Floofs' In addition to particularly confident 'moggies', there are some popular cat breeds with a reputation for being highly friendly and almost dog-like in their behaviour. We like to divide these cats into two cat-egories – the...
Giants among us Despite their intimidating size, giant breeds such as bernese mountain dogs, dogue de bordeaux and mastiffs are often devoted, gentle and sensitive family members. It’s important to be aware that these “Big Friendly Giants” will naturally cost more to...
Lapping up the attention The companionship and comfort of a little dog curled up on your lap can be a real positive for mental health. Whilst many dogs love a good cuddle, breeds such as chihuahuas, poodles, shih tzus and maltese have a particular reputation for being...
Climate damage on the Great Barrier Reef: can we hit “reef-resh”? Image sources: the ABC, the Guardian Hope is in the air - or better yet, in the sea - after a recent coral spawning event took place in November last year. This annual spectacle in the Great Barrier...
Them rolls: dog breeds with excess skin Shar-peis, basset hounds, neapolitan mastiffs, bulldogs and dogue de bordeaux. What do they all have in common? Lots of skin folds and wrinkles! Whilst dogs with rolls can look appealing, their excess skin can, unfortunately,...