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Zoonosis
Zoonosis – Pets and Kids
What completes the image of contemporary family life better than a family pet? Many families with young children also have dogs or cats living in their homes. While pets and kids have long since made …
Nosebleeds in Dogs – Pet tip 109
A nosebleed in humans is a condition that happens from time to time often as a result of dryness. Normally it’s not that serious and stops on its own or we go see a doctor who helps solve the problem. …
Obese and Overweight Cats and Dogs – Pet tip 156
Just like us, pets that are overweight are at a much higher risk of developing a number of health conditions. Problems like arthritis, heart disease, respiratory difficulties, and diabetes are among the long list of issues seen in dogs and …
Regurgitation and Vomiting Differences in Dogs and Cats
Most pet owners have seen it; your cat or dog hunches up, starts to make retching noises, and then brings up an amount of material. But is it vomit or regurgitation? This may seem like a trivial difference, but in fact it is not. Knowing whether the material is vomit or regurgitation tells your vet where the material is coming from, and also what may be the cause of the problem. Regurgitation is defined as the passive, retrograde movement of ingested material, usually before it reaches the stomach.
The regurgitated material is often expelled with minimal or no signs of nausea, distress or retching. In fact, the animal may show some surprise as it goes through the act, because it was not expecting it! Material originates from the oral cavity, pharynx or esophagus. Regurgitation often occurs immediately after eating food, but can also occur hours afterwards.
Tip 88 – My dog or cat is in pain – pets in pain
When our pets act in unusual fashions, it is often because they are sick or they are in pain. Our pets cannot verbally tell us when they are in pain, so unless they are crying or communicating in a loud …
Autopsies on pets
Did you know that a person can have an autopsy done on their pet? Your first reaction may be to cringe; nobody likes to think about their pet being dissected. But autopsies provide information that no other test can. While …
Tip 71 – Cat purring – Why do cats purr?
Purring is the rhythmic vibrating sound that all cats can produce when they are in a content state. It is an instinctual response in domestic cats that can be seen at the onset of life when the newborn kitten purrs …
Dog coats and shedding dogs – Pet tip 103
We choose our dogs mostly based on their character and their appearance. But for some of us, our preference also accounts for the dog’s type of coat. Some people prefer fluffy dogs, while others prefer short-haired dogs. But few take …
Christmas Safety for Pets – Pet tip 110
When Christmas time approaches it’s easy (and fun sometimes) to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of it all. But before you do, it’s a good idea to consider your pets at this time of year, and make …
