Dog Dewclaws

Many dog owners often ask their veterinarian whether their dog’s dewclaws should be removed. There are several situations in which removal is advantageous, and owners should consider their dog’s lifestyle when making such a decision.

Dogs are a digitigrade species, …

Labrador Retrievers – Pet tip 162

The Labrador retriever is currently the most popular dog in Canada and the United States and it is easy to see why this is the case. Labs are generally gentle, friendly dogs that are great with kids. They tolerate all …

Issue 9: November 2003

Welcome to our ninth issue of the Pets.ca newsletter. This issue starts off the Christmas season (yes it has started) with a story on buying a new puppy. Thousands of people get pets as gifts for Christmas, and within a …

Pain aggression in dogs – Pet tip 257

Unfortunately the following two scenarios occur from time to time: You’re innocently petting your cat or dog when all of a sudden your pet bites you. The same reaction can happen when you pick up your cat or dog the way you always do, when all of a sudden it bites you. What is going on here? Your pet NEVER bites you, and now that you are trying to show it some love, it bites you. Has your pet gone mad? What might be going on here is pain induced aggression.

It seems so obvious after you bring your pet to a veterinarian to figure out what is going on, but it may be as simple as pain induced aggression. Pain induced aggression means that your pet has exhibited an aggressive behaviour because it is in pain. This is especially common in older pets that may be suffering from arthritis or perhaps one of their internal organs is bruised or diseased.

Common Ferret Diseases

Ferrets are sweet, intelligent little animals that many of us love. Before introducing one to your family however, there are a few things to know about ferrets, namely the common diseases they may suffer from. Here is a list of some of the diseases that ferrets commonly get, along with how they are diagnosed and treated.

Pyoderma: Pyoderma literally means pus (pyo-) in the skin (derm-). This is due to a bacterial infection; usually secondary to trauma or self-inflicted wounds from having itchy skin. Clinical signs are variable, either from mild superficial lesions to areas of furunculosis, which means the hair follicle itself is completely damaged from all the bacteria hiding in and around the hair shaft.

Fearful Cats – Pet tip 197

Although phobic and extremely fearful domestic cats are not as common as domestic dogs, fearful feline behaviour does occur regularly. The most common phobias in cats are fear of storms and loud noises. One of the main differences between cats …

Tip 67 – Cat vocalizations – talking cats – excessive meowing

Cats produce various types of vocalizations. These range from the common meow, to cat calls, to hissing etc. When cats meow several times in a row or for an extended period we humans call that talking. Different breeds “talk” more …

Dog and Cat Skin Lumps

Evaluating and treating dog and cat skin lumps – Dr. M. Slome DVM

Skin lumps are one of the most common conditions that Veterinarians are faced with on a day to day basis.

A general approach to lumps is to …

Collapsed Trachea

Every living creature needs to breathe to survive. Breathing allows animals to deliver oxygen to tissues, as well as to get rid of wastes such as carbon dioxide that are produced by the body’s metabolism. The air is taken in …

Dog Noses – facts and myths – Pet tip 115

Whether it’s big, round, and the palest pink or small, pointy and glossy black – you can’t miss it, it’s right there in the middle of your dog’s face: its nose. You’ve probably heard all sorts of stories about the …