Clinical

Chinchilla husbandry: an overview of correct care

Chinchillas have soft dense fur with 60–90 hairs emerging from a single follicle (Saunders, 2009) and a large bushy tail that is covered with coarser hair than the rest of the body..

Canine osteoarthritis: improving quality of life

Dogs with OA commonly present with abnormal gait, lameness, pain in affected joints, crepitus in extension or flexion of joints, exercise intolerance, muscle atrophy, and stiffness..

NSAIDs in veterinary practice: focus on Carprieve

There are several prostaglandins involved within the pain process, and these are formed when the COX acts on arachidonic acid. The regulatory and reactionary responses of prostaglandins accounts for...

Detection and diagnosis of dog lungworm larvae and eggs

Standard methods for parasite egg recovery from faeces generally involve a dilution step, followed by flotation in saturated solutions of various salts (including sodium chloride). Where many eggs are...

Preventative dental care: educating the client

Periodontal disease is the most common disease affecting dog and cats. Up to 80% of animals over the age of three are affected by periodontal disease (Lund et al, 1999). Periodontal disease is an...

Use of cytology for diagnosis in veterinary dermatology

Focusing the clinic microscope is not difficult: Turn the light on, lower the stage to the lowest point.Place the slide on the stage sample side up. Clip it in place. Place a drop of oil on the slide...

Noise-related anxiety in dogs: improving management

Genetics, parenting, barren non-stimulating environments, pain and early or traumatic experiences are major factors in the development of behaviour traits (personal experience). Vage (2010) in his...

Feline lower urinary tract disease and PURINA VETERINARY DIETS (R) FELINE UR ST/OX™

There are a number of common signs associated with FLUTD which are listed in Box 1 below. Cats may only show one sign such as haematuria, or they may have a combination of different clinical signs. If...

Assisted feeding in rabbits

Rabbits are a popular pet and like most other herbivores, they need a continual supply of fibrous vegetation to maintain a healthy digestive tract (Leng, 2008). Like horses, the digestive process of...

Fly-borne parasitic disease: risk for the travelling pet

Mosquitoes and sandflies can sensitize pets with their saliva. They tend to bite around the muzzle, eyes, ear pinna, abdomen; the bite can be slightly painful but fleeting. It is not common to see...

Options for skin coverage: reconstruction and skin grafts

A skin flap is a piece of skin that remains attached to a blood supply when it is placed over a recipient wound whereas a skin graft is a piece of skin taken away from its blood supply and placed on a...

Dermatophytosis in cats and dogs

Transmission occurs through direct contact with infected animals or indirectly from contaminated fomites (such as bedding). Infection occurs when arthrospores attach to the upper layer of the...