Clinical

Changes in behaviour in elderly cats and dogs, part 2: management, treatment and prevention

Elderly animals need to be able to move around their environment and access important resources easily. This can be particularly challenging for animals with medical problems affecting their mobility,...

Hydrotherapy for the osteoarthritic dog: why might it help and is there any evidence?

The initial cause of OA can be difficult to determine as there may be a number of factors contributing to the development and progression of the condition. Johnston (1997) summarises the causes of...

Control of endoparasites in adult horses

According to a study by Nielsen (2012) it is estimated that 95–100% of the total parasite burden of individual horses is due to nematode species, in particular, cyathostomins. Nematode species (Table...

Consideration of pain scoring systems

Pain is a sensory and emotional response, therefore this would indicate that assessment of both areas should be considered during pain assessment by incorporating both physiological and behavioural...

Oral homecare regimens and products

There are many products available for pet owners to purchase that claim to have oral health benefits, such as the reduction of plaque and calculus (tartar) accumulation, or to freshen breath....

Changes in behaviour in elderly cats and dogs, part 1: causes and diagnosis

The age-related decline in cognitive function in cats and dogs is associated with a number of pathological processes occurring in brain tissue, some of which are similar to the changes seen in...

Recumbent patients: is turning enough?

The primary function and ability of the lung is to enable gaseous exchange, allowing air distribution within the lobes to match the perfusion of the body's tissues (Schilero et al, 2009). Altering...

Critical care of the small rodent: a veterinary nurse's guide

In general small rodents are relatively short lived, 2–4 years, although longer in the degu (7 years) and the effects of ageing may predispose individuals to critical conditions (O'Malley, 2005; Table...

Canine nutrition for a healthy old age

The AAHA and the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA, 2011) recommend that nutritional assessment guidelines be followed in order for all pets to have a good quality and quantity of life....

Treatment in cases of feline house soiling

Potential causes of stress can be sub-divided into categories relating to the physical and social environment and the husbandry and management of the feline household. Within each of these categories...

Urinary incontinence in dogs: pathophysiology and medical management

The bladder can be divided into the apex (apex vesicae), body (corpus vesicae), and neck (cervix vesicae). The trigone of the bladder (trigonum vesicae) is a triangular area on the dorsal aspect of...

Effects of exposure to human medicines in cats and dogs

Most households contain some analgesics. Most commonly in the UK, US and many European countries, these include paracetamol or ibuprofen, and both of these drugs are commonly involved in the...