Category: Illness

My young cat seems ill

My young cat seems ill
Feline Infectious Peritonitis
Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is a serious and most often fatal disease affecting cats. It is most commonly seen in young cats between the ages of six months and two years. It has been found to affect male cats more commonly than females and purebred cats particularly the Asian breeds are m...
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Can humans get worms from dogs and cats?

Can humans get worms from dogs and cats?
Zoonotic helminths - Worms which humans can get from pets
Have you ever wondered if humans can get worms from dogs and cats? You don’t have to wonder any longer, the answer is ‘yes’.  In this overview we look at which worms can be transmitted between pets and humans, what diseases they cause and how to prevent this potential healt...
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My pet has red urine - what does it mean?

My pet has red urine - what does it mean?
Bladder Stones
Bladder stones is a condition that occurs in dogs and cats of various ages, sex and breeds. Bladder stones are also called urinary calculi or uroliths. These are mineral like formations that form anywhere in the urinary tract, including kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra. The most frequent loc...
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Feline Leukaemia Virus (FeLV) infection in cats

Feline Leukaemia Virus (FeLV) infection in cats
Feline Leukaemia
Introduction Feline leukaemia (FELV) is a disease of cats caused by a virus called a retrovirus. It is called a retrovirus because of the method it uses to replicate inside the cat. It is the same type of virus as the human immunodeficiency virus and although there are ...
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Cat Aids

Cat Aids
Feline Immuno Deficiency Virus
How does Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) compare to Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV)? Feline immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) has similar building blocks and is related to Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), but very importantly, it cannot be passed between cats and h...
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Do cats get colds?

Do cats get colds?
Snuffles - Feline Rhinotracheitis
Just like humans and most other domestic animal species, cats can also catch colds. In cats, this disease is referred to as Snuffles – quite an apt name for all the sniffing and snorting associated with this disease. The learned name for ...
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Do Dogs get colds?

Do Dogs get colds?
What is cracking with Kennel Cough?
Canine Infectious Tracheobronchitis, or as it is more commonly known, Kennel Cough, is an upper respiratory tract disease of dogs that is found throughout the world. Breaking down the names of disease gives an indication as to how, and which pa...
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The Hype about Hyperadrenocortism

The Hype about Hyperadrenocortism
Cushings Syndrome in animals
Hyperadrenocorticism, or Cushing’s Disease, is a condition whereby the level of cortisol in the body is too high.  It is a condition which is also found in humans and the name Cushing’s Disease or also commonly known as Cushing’s Syndrome comes from Harvey Cushing, who in 1...
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Diabetes Defined

Diabetes Defined
Diabetes in dogs and cats
The pancreas is an organ in the body which is closely associated with the segment of intestine that leaves the stomach.  The pancreas releases enzymes involved in digestion as well as hormones with specific functions.  One of these hormones is insulin.  Insulin is released from the...
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My pet is having a fit! - Seizures in Pets

My pet is having a fit! - Seizures in Pets
Seizures in Pets
Anyone who has ever seen an animal experiencing a seizure will know that it is a “hair-raising” event. Seizures or ‘fits’ is a well-described phenomenon in domestic pets. The way in which a fit or seizure presents can vary significantly, from what seems to be a brief momen...
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