General Practice News

Arthritis (osteoarthritis/degenerative joint disease) in Dogs and Cats

10 April 2012

Although several types of arthritis exist, in the majority of cases and especially in older dogs and cats, the term ‘arthritis’ is commonly used to describe osteoarthritis or degenerative joint disease.

Osteoarthritis results from destruction of the cartilage layer, together with a change in the amount or consistency of the lubricating fluid...

Disease in rabbits

30 March 2012

It is worth noting that rabbits are ‘prey animals’. This means that in the wild they will not want to give outward signs of illness as this would single them out as an easy meal for a fox! They have a fantastic ability to hide illness until it may be too late to treat them. You should always be aware of the amount and type of food your rabbit is eating, how much it is drinking and the quantity and nature of the urine and faeces.

Responsible dog ownership

21 March 2012

Owning a dog brings great happiness to both owner and dog but also brings responsibility for the lifetime of the pet. Dog owners have an obligation to their dog and their community to ensure that their pet is a happy, socialised and well-trained animal...

External parasites (Ectoparasites) in Cats

16 March 2012

Several types of external parasites can affect your cat. Most common and well-known are fleas, but ticks, ear mites and several other types of mites are seen on a regular basis, too...

Worming your Dog

15 March 2012

Several types of worms can affect dogs and it is usually impossible for you to know whether your dog is infected with worms. Unless a dog is severely infested or has tape worms, it is not possible to notice worms in faeces – usually only microscopically small worm eggs are passed with the faeces.

Diabetes

13 March 2012

As in humans, dogs and cats with diabetes mellitus are unable to control the level of sugar in their blood. This is due to a lack of, or inability to use, a hormone called insulin. Insulin allows the tissues of the body to absorb glucose (sugar) from the blood in order to provide energy...