Dogs – Cats and Ultrasound- Pet tip 216

When most people hear the word ultrasound they normally think of the device that gynecologists use to check the health of growing fetuses in pregnant women. In fact, ultrasound can be used to check the health and proper functioning of …

Dog Tails – General Information

Many people understand that a wagging tail means a happy dog. But is it really that simple? What else does a dog’s tail tell us? The dog uses its tail as an important means of communication and is evaluated along …

Heartworm testing in dogs – Pet tip 121

Late spring and early summer is when many dogs get tested for heartworm by their veterinarians. Why this time of year? The organism that causes the disease, Dirofilaria immitis, is transmitted by mosquito bites. There are three life stages of …

Dog Ear Infections

Ear Infections in Canines
How common are ear infections in dogs?

Infections of the external ear canal (outer ear) by bacteria or yeast, are one of the most common types of infections seen in dogs. This is called otitis externa.…

Tip 46 – Life expectancy in dogs – How long will my dog live?

We all want our pet dogs to live as long as possible, but the fact of the matter is that on average, certain dog breeds live longer than others. This might be a consideration when choosing a dog breed and …

Breathing problems in cats – Pet tip 186

When we think of our pet cats getting ill, we very often think that their bodies will fight off whatever is ailing them and occasionally this is true. There are plenty of feline illnesses or conditions however that require priority …

RAO in Pet Horses

One of the more common problems affecting horses is a condition known as Recurrent Airway Obstruction (RAO); it can also be referred to as heaves or COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). This is a respiratory disease that is characterized by coughing, increased rate and effort of breathing, and often, nasal discharge. Severely affected horses can also have what is known as a “heaves line” – this is a visible line on the horse’s side, between the lungs and the abdomen, caused by the increased effort of the abdominal muscles to help with breathing; the line is really the increased definition of those abdominal muscles. Other than the respiratory difficulties, horses are otherwise normal. There does not seem to be a breed or gender preference, although older horses are more commonly affected.

Dogs with Itchy Skin – Pet tip 133

You can’t stand it any more! It wakes you up in the middle of the night and distracts you during the day. Your dog has been itching non-stop for days or maybe weeks. Your dog is obviously uncomfortable and has …

Tip 75 – Pumpkin for cats – pumpkin for dogs – Pumpkin for diarrhea or constipation

If your dog or cat is having the occasional case of constipation or diarrhea, one of the things that might help is canned pumpkin. Yes canned pumpkin in its pureed form (NOT pumpkin pie filling) is a fantastic stool softener …

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 …