Category: General
Breeding with your dog

Breeding
Understanding the female’s cycle
A female dog will only come into heat for the first time between the age of seven months and anytime up to a year of age. Occasionally this period may be longer. The age at which they first come into heat is governed by a combination of factors but...
View Article Can I give my dog a bone?

Feeding your dog bones - the good, the bad and the ugly
Although most of us grew up with the assumption that bones are good for our pets this is in fact a fallacy, one that more pet owners should be made aware of. Let’s look at some effects and risks involved when feeding bones to pets.
The Good:
The unfortunate truth is that...
View Article My cat has pimples!

Feline Acne
Feline acne is a common skin condition in cats. Cats of any age can be affected, and there is no breed or sex predisposition.
Cats are often presented to the veterinarian with the complaint of ‘dirt on the cat’s chin, that the owner cannot remove after attempts to clean it’ ...
View Article What is trichobezoar?

Hairballs in cats
The elusive and very unpleasant hairball is something that every cat owner will experience at some point. Cats in general are very clean and well-kept animals and grooming is an essential routine for them to ensure their cleanliness. A healthy cat is one that grooms. Hairballs are simply a ...
View Article Is your male pet missing testicles?

Cryptorchidism
Cryptorchidism is a condition where the male dog or cat’s testicles have not descended into the scrotum. Descended in this context means that the testicles has come from inside the dog or cat’s belly and are visibly sitting in the ball sack (scrotum).
I...
View Article Can I treat my pet's wound at home?

Wound Care at Home
When managing wounds at home it is important to always contact your veterinarian for assistance. Many home and even human wound remedies are not suitable for use in pets. Determining factors in deciding whether a wound can be treated at home or needs veterinary care includes the severity and age ...
View Article Pregnant women have to watch out for this bug carried by cats

Toxoplasmosis
Introduction
Toxoplasma gondii is a tiny organism, slightly bigger than a bacterium, called a protozoa. This parasite has a worldwide distribution, except in the absence of cats. Cats are the only animals capable of completing the life cycle of this organism. Other warm...
View Article Do cats bite for no reason?

Aggression in cats
Cats are often seen as less aggressive animals than dogs but they have five sharp ends that can be used at a moments notice. Cats may also be seen as more instinctive than dogs, mimicking some of the behaviour seen in their wild counterparts. This is obviously on a much smaller level. Aggression ...
View Article Does your puppy have good manners?

House training your new puppy
It is important to plan ahead for house training. Always ensure everyone in the house is involved and that everyone knows what the plan is. It is important to have consistency when training puppies so as not to confuse them. Routine is essential for achieving the desired goal of having a puppy wi...
View Article Do dogs bite for no reason?

Aggression in dogs
Aggression is one of the most common behavioural problems in dogs. Aggression is often easy to diagnose but difficult to manage, because it is often multifactorial. There are several different categories of aggression. Let's look at the different types of aggression in dogs.
Aggression...
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