News — pet health

Obesity is one of the most common health issues afflicting pet cats, and being overweight or obese can severely compromise the health, quality of life and even lifespan of your cat. Taking steps to help your pet shed excess pounds isn't difficult, but it does need to be done carefully to keep your cat happy and healthy. Consequences of Feline Obesity A cat that is even a few pounds overweight can suffer from poor health, and severely obese cats can face a number of devastating health issues, including… Arthritis and swollen joints Hip dysplasia and lameness Diabetes High blood pressure...

The scientific name for excessive thirst, causing excessive water consumption, is Polydipsia.  The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) define polydipsia as ‘water intake that is twice maintenance requirements’ – dogs consuming more than 100ml/kg bodyweight per day is considered excessive. Dogs may have Polydipsia for a number of reasons, which we will cover in this blog!  Checking for Dehydration  First things first, here’s a simple technique called ‘tenting’ which you can use to check if your dog is dehydrated. Gently pinch some of your dogs skin on their side. Does it ping straight back to normal?  Yes: your dog...

Mites are microscopic external parasites that are part of the arachnid family of bugs (spiders, scorpions, ticks, etc.). There are thousands of different species of mites, and their diet is as diverse as the number and type that live and thrive on earth. Mites feed on a host of things, including plant matter, insects, and the skin or blood of animals—including pets and their humans. Although mite-related illness isn’t common in the United States, almost all mites are highly contagious among dogs and/or cats. Depending on the species, they can be contagious for humans as well.  What are the most...

Anatomy of the Tooth and Gum Types of Tooth Just like in humans, dogs have 4 types of teeth. From the front of the mouth to the back of the mouth, these are; incisors, canines, pre-molars, and molars. Adult dogs naturally have 6 incisors on the top jaw,and 6 on the bottom jaw. Incisors are used for grasping items. The canines, of which adult dogs have 2 on the top jaw, and 2 on the bottom jaw, are used for ripping – particularly meat from bones! Adult dogs possess 8 pre-molars on the top jaw, and 8 on the bottom...