Gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV) is a condition all dog owners know about and fear. Otherwise known as bloat or gastric/stomach torsion, the condition onsets quickly and can be fatal if left untreated. While it can affect any dog, it is far more prevalent in deep-chested, large breed dogs. So, what is GDV? Full blown gastric dilatation-volvulus be...
Read More
Grass seed injuries are a common problem for dogs in the summer months, so it's important that you keep your eyes peeled for any signs that your pet may be suffering from one. What is a grass seed injury? An injury involving a tiny grass seed might not initially sound like a significant problem, but for dogs, it can cause a lot of pain, as well as...
Read More
There will usually come a time in your cat's life where you will need to give them a tablet by mouth. Not all tablets are suitable for crushing or giving with a meal, as food in the gut may hinder proper absorption of the medication. In other circumstances, your cat may simply refuse to take the tablet no matter how much tasty food you try to disgu...
Read More
Fortunately for us, most kittens and cats are litter-trained when we get them because they have mimicked their mother’s behaviour. This makes life a lot easier and saves us a great deal of time. But at some point or other, your cat may show an aversion to using its litter tray and start eliminating elsewhere. Roughly 10% of all cats will deve...
Read More
Why is my cat overweight? Why are people getting fatter? Going back to 30 or 40 years ago, cats in the UK did not get overweight. They were probably just as loved and cared for then as now, but they were slimmer. When I went to university in 1978 to start my veterinary science degree, I remember being told that dogs are greedy and will get fat if o...
Read More
For those of us who love horses, few things compare to getting up in the saddle. But despite being incredibly popular and a great deal of fun, horse riding is one of the more dangerous sports out there. Therefore, having a riding helmet and body protector that fit correctly is essential for staying safe and surviving a fall. These days, more and mo...
Read More
If you want your family to include several different kinds of pet, it's important to make sure everyone will get along. In our last guide to introducing your dog to other pets, we looked at how they can make friends with cats. Today, we will focus on introducing them to rabbits. Will your dog and rabbit get along? It's important to understand that...
Read More
In 1991, following a series of savage dog attacks on children, Parliament took the decision to enact bans on four breeds of dog in the UK. This included the notorious Pitbull Terrier, the Japanese Tosa, the Dogo Argentino and the Fila Brazileiro (the bans also extended to their mixes and any dogs boasting typical characteristics of the breeds). The...
Read More
Everyone knows that cats go wild for catnip, but why? Considering many people compare its hallucinogenic effect in cats to marijuana in humans, isn’t it surprising we happily expose our animals to it? Of course the two are gulfs apart; catnip doesn’t have any detrimental health impacts, for one thing; neither is it addictive. Yet, cats...
Read More
Now the weather has improved, it’s time to start getting active! And what could be a more refreshing way than going for a swim? Besides being a lot of fun for your dog, it’s also beneficial to health and fitness, which goes towards improving quality of life and life expectancy. It’s no myth that dogs have a natural affinity with w...
Read More