Queensland Itch in Horses
Horses are often hassled by an itchy, annoying skin condition known as ‘Queensland Itch’, ‘Sweet Itch’, summer eczema or recurrent seasonal pruritis. While the condition is an annoyance for the horse owner, it becomes a constant nagging irritation for the horse itself. Itching is the main sign of the condition. An affected horse will rub […]
Gastric Ulcers in Horses
A Widespread but Manageable Disease Every horse owner appreciates the delicate nature of the equine gut, with colic being a major fear. Problems related to the small intestine and large intestine causing colic are well understood and routinely treated. What may be surprising to many is how often the stomach is affected and the incidence […]
Rules of Feeding: Changing Feeds
Most horse owners are aware that when feeds need to be changed, for whatever reason, it’s best not to do it overnight. But they may not know why it’s not right to do it that way or how to do it in the best and safest way for the horse. The reason that sudden changes […]
Feeding Your Bird
One of the great myths about owning birds is that all they need to eat is seed. This is no more true of birds than it is about us. So what do we feed our birds?
Tummy Troubles
Vomiting in Cats and Dogs Does your pet vomit occasionally? While it is common for pets to vomit, it is not a condition to be ignored. Many cases of vomiting may be mild and resolve by themselves without the cause being known, but other cases require treatment, or investigation for other illnesses. What causes pets […]
Chocolate Toxicity In Animals
Chocolate can be a killer! Although chocolate is one of our favourite treats, it contains a substance that is poisonous to animals. Toxicity, or poisoning, is most common in dogs because of their habit of rapid consumption, but it may also affect cats and other pets. What is chocolate toxicity? Chocolate toxicity (poisoning) is caused […]
Scratch That Itch!
Skin Allergies In Dogs Allergic skin disease is a common problem in dogs and one that may be difficult to determine the cause of and frustrating to manage. Signs of allergic skin disease in dogs include inflamed skin that is pinker/redder than normal, warmer than normal, and itchy. Affected dogs will scratch, lick, rub or […]
Why You Should Vaccinate Your Cat
Has your cat been vaccinated in the last 12 months? Vaccination is the only way to protect your cat against a group of deadly diseases. Vaccinating your cat stimulates its immune system to produce antibodies against a particular strain of virus or bacterium, preventing it from causing disease or reducing the severity of the symptoms. […]
Canine Parvovirus Infection
Of all the viral diseases that a dog can be plagued by, Canine Parvovirus is one of the most dangerous. Whereas Distemper and Hepatitis are rare now, parvovirus regularly rears its ugly head, causing disease and death in dogs and heartbreak in pet owners. Unvaccinated dogs, especially those under 12 months of age, are most at […]
Why You Should Desex Your Cat
“How can I stop cats fighting and roaming in my backyard, howling and keeping me awake at night? How can I stop urine marking around my garden and house? How can I stop my cat from getting fight wound abscesses or being hit by a car?” The answer is simple. Have your cat desexed! You can also […]
Feather Picking in Birds
Can’t work out why your bird is plucking out its feathers? There could be many reasons. Parrots are especially prone to feather plucking and self-mutilation. Why is my bird mutilating itself? There are many possible reasons for self-mutilation and it presents a complex and challenging problem for the owner and the veterinarian. There may be […]
Keeping a Budgerigar
The budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus), also known as a parakeet or more commonly a budgie, is the most popular pet bird worldwide. This small and beautiful bird originates from the drier regions of Australia. Their natural habitats are dry open plains, woodlands bordering waterways and sparsely wooded grasslands. Selecting a budgie When looking for a budgie […]