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I want you to see these pictures of severe facial sores in a dog. Note especially how quickly they both develop and then go away with the right treatment. This is canine eosinophilic furunculosis.
I’ll discuss it and other causes of lesions on the face of dogs afterwards.
Continue reading “Help! My Dog’s Has Sores On The Face”
Last week when I wrote about the shortage of Australian veterinarians, I laid the problems of our industry bare. Poor work conditions, inadequate support and low pay are just a few. They’re leading to what some people see as a crisis for the veterinary profession.
There’s something else contributing to the problem that I didn’t mention, because it’s tricky to bring up without blaming innocent people. It’s the deterioration of the relationship between vets and pet owners.
Continue reading “Had A Bad Vet Experience? Please Read This”
As a short-sighted person, I don’t take good vision for granted. Therefore, when someone asks me “what exactly do dog see?”, I’m interested in a lot more than just colour vision.
In this article you will find the best evidence we have for:
You may have heard the sad news that one of Berri’s vets is closing. This comes hot on the heels of YP vets announcing the same thing: the closure of their Port Pirie clinic.
In both cases, a lack of vets has been cited as the main reason. So in the interests of the care for your pets, it’s worth taking a closer look at what’s happening to the vet supply in Australia. Afterwards, I’ll offer some advice for new graduates and recently employed vets.
Continue reading “Why Aren’t There Enough Vets In Australia?”
Are you looking for a puppy in Adelaide? Then no doubt you’ve already seen how hard it is to get one. There’s a massive demand for new puppies, and seemingly a reduced supply since SA’s dog breeding regulations came into effect.
Traditional sources like breeders and shelters have long waiting lists. The only quick and easy way to get a puppy is from a pet shop. If you’ve thought about it I perfectly understand. But before you make the commitment, there are a few things to consider.
Continue reading “Buying A Puppy In Adelaide”
Canine ehrlichiosis is cause for considerable alarm for the millions of dog owners around the country.
ABC News 27/1/2021
The arrival of Ehrlichia in Australia has been devastating for some remote dog communities. However, there’s no reason to panic, and it’s easy to prevent.
Here I’m going to help Australian dog owners to understand the risks, and know how to easily prevent it.
Continue reading “The Outbreak Of Ehrlichia In Australian Dogs”
What do dogs actually hear when we speak to them?
Isn’t this the single most important question of dog ownership? Isn’t getting it wrong the reason why so many dogs end up unhappy or worse?
I’m not going to solve it, because in 2021 that still isn’t possible. What I can do is show you some tantalising recent science that’s starting to give us glimpses of the truth . And what is said is probably also true for how cats hear us.
Continue reading “Using Evidence To Choose The Best Puppy Name”
If your pet is having surgery, then you already know it’s important to fast them beforehand. What you may not know is why and for how long.
Here’s a quick summary, with details to follow.
Oesophageal stricture is a rare but important problem for both dogs and cats. It happens when a narrowing forms in the tube that connects the mouth to the stomach. This creates a partial blockage for food and water.
Continue reading “Oesophageal Stricture In Dogs & Cats”
In 2021 there are two drugs your vet may use to anaesthetise dogs and cats: alfaxalone and propofol. You can discover more about each one at the links, but here I will compare them for safety and efficacy.
Continue reading “A Comparison Of Alfaxalone & Propofol For Pet Anaesthesia”Cushing’s disease is one of the most common diseases of dogs. The problem can be in getting an accurate diagnosis. Here I’ll share some recent research that helps you know whether it’s likely in your dog.
This is important because no test is every 100% accurate.
Continue reading “An Online Test Tool To Predict Cushing’s Disease In Dogs”
In places like Australia, we all know how dangerous the sun can be. It can be just as bad for our dogs. Here I’m going to help you decide three things:
In the last few years, there’s been a lot of concern among dog owners about leptospirosis. And it’s no surprise. Not only is ‘lepto‘ a horrible disease, but it’s being seen in places where it never used to be.
Here you’ll find the latest information on the risk to Australian dogs and what you can do to reduce it.
Continue reading “Is My Dog At Risk Of Leptospirosis?”
The nightmare is almost over. Until very recently, a diagnosis of Feline Infectious Peritonitis was a death sentence. Either a slow, lingering decline or a decision to euthanase and spare the suffering. This happened to around 1% of cats, most of them still kittens.
Then it was discovered that certain antiviral drugs could not only improve the symptoms, they could actually bring about a cure. But there was still a hitch.
Continue reading “Treatment with Remdesivir for FIP in Cats”
Owners of dogs with chronic pain are increasingly asking me two questions:
I saw a beautiful, not old dog recently, and before I even touched him I knew what was wrong.
He was a Bernese Mountain Dog with enlarged lymph nodes, and I knew he had cancer in the same way I know it when:
Senior diet and foods for older cats are so well-established that nearly everyone uses them. But do they help?
Here are some of the claims:
Are they correct? Could these diets be harmful instead? Let’s look at the evidence.
Continue reading “What Is The Best Food For Senior Cats?”
Emergency Info (details to follow):
To separate dogs, try:
Do not try to pull the other dog off. That’s up to their owner to do. You will get badly injured. Click here for your closest Adelaide Emergency vet.
Do not blame yourself. Often there’s nothing you can do due to the size and determination of the aggressor. You’ll probably also fail to get the owner’s details in the heat of the moment.
Now dive deeper…
Continue reading “Dog Attacks: What To Do, How To Prevent Them”
I’m going to lead you through the evidence we have for the age to desex a dog. I’m not going to give you the ‘right’ answer, but instead the tools so you can make the best decision for your dog. With the new mandatory 6-month desexing in Adelaide, this is the evidence you may need to ask your vet for a postponement.
Continue reading “The Best Age To Desex A Dog: New Data For 39 Breeds”
It’s no accident that one of our most visited pages is a guide to the skin lumps of dogs. Tumours and masses cause a lot of concern to dog owners. However, with some basic knowledge, and the right action, there’s nothing to fear.
Continue reading “Lipomas, Fatty Tumours & Lumps Under Dogs Skin”
There’s a very good reason why so many kittens come with sneezes, runny eyes or coughs. This is true whether it’s a young kitten with continuous symptoms, or an older cat where the problem seems to get better and then come back.
Once you know it, a lot of other common cat illnesses start to make sense.
To understand what’s special about cat diseases, you need to look at how they began. So stick with me! What I’m about to discuss could be the most important health issue of cats.
Continue reading “The Cause Of Sneezing & Watery Eyes In Kittens”
In 2020, the American Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) published its data on poisonings in dogs. It’s the best information we have on household dangers to our canine friends.
From a dog-owner’s perspective, it contains two important lists: the top 5 reported poisonings and the top 20 fatalities. As you’ll see, these are quite different.
Continue reading “The Most Common & Serious Poisons Of Dogs”
In 2020, the American Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) published its data on poisonings in cats. It’s the best information we have on household dangers to our feline friends.
From a cat-owner’s perspective, it contain two important lists: the top 5 reported poisonings and the top 20 fatalities. As you’ll see, these are quite different.
Continue reading “The Most Common & Serious Poisons Of Cats”
It must seem strange for a vet to compare humans and dogs and find humans better. Well let me tell you, that’s not normally the case. Just read ‘Why Dogs Are Better Than Humans‘ and you’ll agree.
However, our inferiority tends to mask the fact that there are a few special areas in which we do better. And because we don’t recognise them, we tend to make bad assumptions and harm our dogs. So here they are…
Continue reading “3 Ways Humans Are Better Than Dogs”
If you’ve got an itchy dog, it gets very frustrating very quickly. Nothing seems to help for long, and everyone tells you something different. Is it the food, is it grass, is it mites?
I’ve been seeing itchy dogs for nearly 30 years and I’ve yet to see one who can’t be helped. Here I’m going to boil down all the conflicting advice into a simple step by step approach.
Continue reading “How To Stop Dogs Scratching In 8 Steps”
Some dogs you never forget. They’re the ones you know you failed. Like Holly.
She came to me late one night for vestibular disease. And she certainly had all the classic signs:
It had been happening for two years, on and off, and she needed more of her medication. Except she really needed a whole lot more than that.
Continue reading “Help! My Dog’s Head Is Tilted To One Side”
In 2020, Adelaide has been awash with stories of dog baits being found in parks. Just this month we’ve had:
Leaving aside the twisted motives of why anyone would do this, it’s important to understand the risks and what you can do if it happens.
Continue reading “Dog Baiting In Adelaide: What To Know”
It would be hilarious if it wasn’t so serious. Look for answers on why your cat bites or scratches you and you’ll find people telling you it’s all about a competition for dominance.
As any genuine cat lover knows, our cats always dominate us. Most of us have enough humility to love them for it.
It’s stopping them biting and scratching that we’re after. That’s a whole other story with a wholly different explanation. One where aggression is just a symptom of a problem in the cat-human relationship.
Continue reading “Help! My Cat Attacks Me Without Warning” Whether you call it neuter, spay, castrate or desex, there’s been a lot of debate about the right time to get it done in dogs. That’s because it varies from breed to breed. Recently, a study was published on the best age for neutering small dog breeds like Cavoodles.
Continue reading “What Is The Best Age To Neuter A Cavoodle”
Whether you call it neuter, spay, castrate or desex, there’s been a lot of debate about the right time to get it done in dogs. That’s because it varies from breed to breed. Recently, a study was published on the best age for neutering 20-29kg dog breeds like the American Staffy (AmStaff) and Staffy crosses.
Continue reading “What Is The Best Age To Neuter A Staffy”
Whether you call it neuter, spay, castrate or desex, there’s been a lot of debate about the right time to get it done in dogs. That’s because it varies from breed to breed. Recently, a study was published on the best age for neutering large dog breeds.
Continue reading “What Is The Best Age To Neuter Large Breed Dogs”
Whether you call it neuter, spay, castrate or desex, there’s been a lot of debate about the right time to get it done in dogs. That’s because it varies from breed to breed. Recently, a study was published on the best age for neutering medium-sized dog breeds like Kelpies.
Continue reading “The Best Age To Neuter A Kelpie Sized Dog”
Look at these numbers. It shows the percentage of vaccinated cats at our Adelaide clinic that also receive the FIV vaccine.
Continue reading “Trends In Australians Keeping Cats Indoors”
We’re lucky to live in Adelaide, but how many people have seen all of the parklands of the square mile? How many dogs?
I’ve previously shared with you my favourite off-the-beaten-track dog walks around Adelaide, but this one’s special. It’s a celebration of the unique parklands that are the pride of Adelaide.
Continue reading “An Epic Adelaide Parklands Dog Walk”
Whether you call it neuter, spay, castrate or desex, there’s been a lot of debate about the right time to get it done in dogs. That’s because it varies from breed to breed. Recently, a study was published on the best age for neutering in St Bernards.
Continue reading “What Is The Best Age To Neuter St Bernards”
Whether you call it neuter, spay, castrate or desex, there’s been a lot of debate about the right time to get it done in dogs. That’s because it varies from breed to breed. Recently, a study was published on the best age for neutering in Rottweilers.
Continue reading “What Is The Best Age To Neuter Rottweilers”
Whether you call it neuter, spay, castrate or desex, there’s been a lot of debate about the right time to get it done in dogs. That’s because it varies from breed to breed. Recently, a study was published on the best age for neutering in Pomeranians.
Continue reading “What Is The Best Age To Neuter A Pomeranian”
Whether you call it neuter, spay, castrate or desex, there’s been a lot of debate about the right time to get it done in dogs. That’s because it varies from breed to breed. Recently, a study was published on the best age for neutering in all three Poodle breeds.
Continue reading “What Is The Best Age To Neuter A Poodle”
Whether you call it neuter, spay, castrate or desex, there’s been a lot of debate about the right time to get it done in dogs. That’s because it varies from breed to breed. Recently, a study was published on the best age for neutering in Miniature Schnauzers.
Continue reading “What Is The Best Age To Neuter Miniature Schnauzers”
Whether you call it neuter, spay, castrate or desex, there’s been a lot of debate about the right time to get it done in dogs. That’s because it varies from breed to breed. Recently, a study was published on the best age for neutering in the Maltese.
Continue reading “What Is The Best Age To Neuter A Maltese”
Whether you call it neuter, spay, castrate or desex, there’s been a lot of debate about the right time to get it done in dogs. That’s because it varies from breed to breed. Recently, a study was published on the best age for neutering in Labradors.
Continue reading “What Is The Best Age To Neuter A Labrador”
Whether you call it neuter, spay, castrate or desex, there’s been a lot of debate about the right time to get it done in dogs. That’s because it varies from breed to breed. Recently, a study was published on the best age for neutering in Jack Russell Terriers.
Continue reading “What Is The Best Age To Neuter Jack Russell Terriers”
Whether you call it neuter, spay, castrate or desex, there’s been a lot of debate about the right time to get it done in dogs. That’s because it varies from breed to breed. Recently, a study was published on the best age for neutering in Irish Wolfhounds.
Continue reading “What Is The Best Age To Neuter Irish Wolfhounds” Whether you call it neuter, spay, castrate or desex, there’s been a lot of debate about the right time to get it done in dogs. That’s because it varies from breed to breed. Recently, a study was published on the best age for neutering in Great Danes.
Continue reading “What Is The Best Age To Neuter A Great Dane”
Whether you call it neuter, spay, castrate or desex, there’s been a lot of debate about the right time to get it done in dogs. That’s because it varies from breed to breed. Recently, a study was published on the best age for neutering in Golden Retrievers.
Continue reading “What Is The Best Age To Neuter Golden Retrievers”
Whether you call it neuter, spay, castrate or desex, there’s been a lot of debate about the right time to get it done in dogs. That’s because it varies from breed to breed. Recently, a study was published on the best age for neutering in German Shepherds.
Continue reading “What Is The Best Age To Neuter German Shepherds”
Whether you call it neuter, spay, castrate or desex, there’s been a lot of debate about the right time to get it done in dogs. That’s because it varies from breed to breed. Recently, a study was published on the best age for neutering in Springer Spaniels.
Continue reading “What Is The Best Age To Neuter Springer Spaniels”
Whether you call it neuter, spay, castrate or desex, there’s been a lot of debate about the right time to get it done in dogs. That’s because it varies from breed to breed. Recently, a study was published on the best age for neutering in Dobermans.
Continue reading “What Is The Best Age To Neuter A Doberman”
Whether you call it neuter, spay, castrate or desex, there’s been a lot of debate about the right time to get it done in dogs. That’s because it varies from breed to breed. Recently, a study was published on the best age for neutering in Corgis.
Continue reading “What Is The Best Age To Neuter A Corgi”
Whether you call it neuter, spay, castrate or desex, there’s been a lot of debate about the right time to get it done in dogs. That’s because it varies from breed to breed. Recently, a study was published on the best age for neutering in Collies.
Continue reading “What Is The Best Age To Neuter A Collie”