Clinical

Early neutering of cats: the risk factors and benefits

The issue of homeless and unwanted cats is becoming an increasing problem in the UK. It is estimated there are around 2.5 million stray cats in the UK, and neutering is vital to prevent this problem...

Decubitus ulcer: risk factors, prevention and treatment

Decubitus ulcers result from pressure on the skin where the bodyweight presses joints or prominent muscle masses against a surface, e.g. bedding or operating table. As a result, capillaries in the...

Ticks and tick-borne diseases of pets in the UK: risks to travellers

Hard ticks are so called because of a hard scutum or shield on their dorsal surface (Figure 1). The scutum covers the whole of the surface of the male tick but only one third (when unfed) or a small...

Nursing the canine with osteosarcoma resulting in coxofemoral disarticulation

Canines who are admitted need a thorough and detailed history, enabling the veterinary surgeon to build up a picture of the dog's current routine. It is vital to gain information about the dog's...

Mesenchymal stem cells in veterinary medicine

A stem cell is an unspecialized cell capable of self renewal and able to differentiate into a specialized cell. Embryonic stem cells are derived from the inner cell mass of early stage embryos whereas...

Canine syringomyelia: treatment and implications

Medical management of the condition uses a variety of drugs which, although similar in their aim, may vary in their mode of action, and range from common analgesics such as carprofen or meloxicam,...

Feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

HCM is a primary (idiopathic) cardiomyopathy (chronic disease of the heart muscle), and it is believed to have a genetic cause in most cases (Kittleson et al, 1997; Meurs et al, 1997). In Maine Coons...

Is there consensus on feline urethral obstruction treatment?

Although many of the epidemiological studies reviewed for this article contain a lot of useful data, almost all have utilized the non-specific terms of feline urological syndrome or FLUTD as the...

The use of probiotics as dietary supplements in dogs

Gastrointestinal complaints are are a common presentation in veterinary practice. Physiologic states such as infection and chronic inflammation can decrease levels of beneficial bacteria (Rastall,...

Understanding NSAIDs

Eicosanoids are a diverse group of inflammatory mediators including the prostaglandins (PG), thromboxanes (TX) and the leukotrienes. They are derived from the fatty phospholipid bilayer that forms the...

An introduction to cataracts

The lens is a transparent biconvex structure, surrounded by an outer capsule, sitting within the eye held by the ciliary body (Figure 1). Contraction of the ciliary muscles changes the shape of the...

Heatstroke in the veterinary patient

Heatstroke is usually defined as a body temperature of greater than 41°C (Smarick, 2008). It should not however be confused with pyrexia or fever (an elevation of temperature above the normal range)....