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A sore ear is a common problem for dogs and cats. The design of dogs’ and cats’ ear canals is in an ‘L’ shape, this allows debris, wax and moisture to accumulate within the ear. Certain anatomical features and behaviours of some breeds can predispose them to being more likely to suffer ear problems: Cocker…

Periodontal disease is one of the most common conditions that veterinarians see in general practice. It may be surprising to know that more than 85% of dogs and cats >4 years of age have periodontal concerns. For the vast majority of animals, good home care regimes and regular check ups at the vet can help…

Before diagnosing SA, the importance of getting your dog health checked by a veterinarian must be emphasised. This is because many of the clinical signs listed above (e.g. foot chewing, inappropriate elimination) can indicate other disease processes and these must be identified and managed appropriately first. Treatments options for SA follow a three step approach:…

Lots of dogs present to us with stiffness and soreness relating to osteoarthritis (OA). OA is an under-diagnosed condition that many owners consider ‘part of getting old’. Many of us live incredibly busy lives and the early signs of OA are often missed. Many dogs (and cats too!) only come in for a vet visit…

Dogs bark for may reasons. It is unlikely to be completely eliminated but they can be taught when it is appropriate to bark and for how long. It is probably impossible to stop completely. There are three main predisposing factors to a behaviour problem: Genetics Past experience and learning Present situation The genetic make up…

Atopy is an allergic condition in pets. It is thought to be inherited, and is usually first seen between 6 months and 4 years of age, although possible from 3 months to 7 years. Susceptible animals become allergic to pollens (grasses, trees, weeds) house dust mites, mould and fungal spores, wool, flea saliva antigens, and…

Osteoarthritis is a progressive deterioration within joints (also called degenerative joint disease (DJD) in veterinary medicine). There is degeneration of the cartilage lining the ends of bones, changes of the underlying bone at joints and changes of the joint capsule that secretes the joint fluid. These changes are seen in most older patients at some…

Avoiding Aggression and Treating Aggression Towards Infants. To avoid aggression toward babies, the dog should be prepared for the arrival of the baby with samples of the baby’s soiled clothing to smell. The dog will then be familiar with the baby’s odour. The dog should not be present when the baby is brought into the…

The anal sacs are a pair of small glandular structures, located just within and on each side of the anus. Each sac has a small duct or tube to the outside. They produce an unpleasant smelling fluid that is normally squeezed out onto a dog or cat’s faeces every time it defecates. Anal sacs have…

Destructive behaviour in dogs (Also read Oh My Garden, Oh My Slippers! & Dogs With Energy to Burn) Chewing This can be due to: *Attention-seeking behaviour – this is very common. Different dogs require different levels of attention to satisfy their needs. Some dogs will learn ways to get attention, whether positive or negative to help…