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As dog sports gain in popularity, wounds to the dog’s paws are becoming increasingly frequent. Here, we talk about the most common injuries and the treatment of choice in each case.

Pancreatitis in dogs can be broadly classified as acute, recurrent or chronic. The histological characteristics of acute pancreatitis include pancreatic oedema with possible necrosis, a variety of mononuclear and polymorphonuclear cell infiltrates, and peripancreatic fat necrosis and thrombosis. Chronic pancreatitis is characterised by fibrosis and low-grade mononuclear inflammation and may be a sequela of acute pancreatitis or a subclinical process that may manifest as diabetes or exocrine pancreatic insufficiency.

Veterinary laparoscopy is a surgical technique that provides a direct view of the abdominal organs by inserting laparoscopic instruments through minimal incisions in the abdominal wall. It also facilitates a range of other surgical procedures, including biopsy.

The foundations of veterinary physiotherapy are generally attributed to Sir Charles Strong, the physiotherapist of the British Royal Family who, in the 1930s, dedicated his time to treating the Royal Family’s polo injuries using electrotherapy. Initially intended for humans, he later began to apply the treatment to horses that had been ridden in the polo matches. Its practical application developed from 1967 onwards following Strong’s publication of the first book on physiotherapy for horses.

After pancreatitis, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, or EPI, is the second-most common disease of the exocrine pancreas in cats and dogs.

This post looks at hepatic encephalopathy in dogs, which is a multifactorial disorder of the central nervous system with factors of varying relevance depending on the clinical situation.

Between 50 and 56% of cats with pancreatitis suffer from triaditis. We look at the possible causes of this condition, its diagnosis and the most appropriate treatment regimens based on the clinical signs.

Despite a wealth of information on patellar luxation in dogs, there are still very few publications on the topic in cats.^1–3

Vaginitis in dogs occurs in entire or sterilised females of any age or breed and its main manifestation is a purulent, mucoid or mucopurulent vaginal discharge.

While orchiectomy in dogs is a relatively straightforward procedure, it can still present complications. Here we analyse whether an open or closed orchiectomy is the more suitable option.

Castration in male dogs should be preceded by an individualised analysis of the potential advantages and disadvantages associated with this procedure.  

It is important to start by highlighting that canine pseudocyesis, often incorrectly called phantom pregnancy, is not a psychological disease, but rather a physiological state in female dogs due to hormonal activity. Phantom pregnancy in dogs tends to occur 6–8 weeks after oestrus, even in females that have not been mounted by a male.

Chemical castration is a safe and effective alternative to surgical castration, although the latter has better results in controlling hormone levels in dogs.

Any disruption to the temperature control mechanisms in dogs can lead to heat stroke (HS).

Degenerative joint disease (DJD) or osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common causes of arthritis in dogs.

Mastocytoma is one of the most frequently diagnosed skin tumours in dogs.

Leishmaniasis in dogs is a serious parasitic disease caused by parasitic protozoa of the genus Leishmania, especially Leishmania infantum. It is transmitted to dogs through mosquito bites. Mosquitoes become Leishmania carriers having previously bitten other dogs with leishmaniasis.

Acral lick dermatitis is a common condition in dogs, accounting for about 3% of dermatology cases seen in general practice.1

Vasculitis in dogs is described as an aberrant immune reaction in cutaneous and/or systemic blood vessels, while its clinical presentation depends on the severity and extent of vascular destruction.1

Megaoesophagus is a condition involving oesophageal dilation and hypomotility due to neuromuscular dysfunction. It causes regurgitation immediately after swallowing food or, sometimes, several hours later, in which case the contents of the vomit will be fermented and may contain both solids and liquids. It is usually accompanied by dysphagia, sialorrhoea and halitosis.

Regurgitation in dogs is generally indicative of a condition affecting the oesophagus.¹

The sterilisation of cats is a routine surgical procedure in small animal clinics, while its advantages make it an important practice for pet health in general. On the other hand, the hormonal changes in sterilised patients come with organic changes that must be treated. The following article outlines the key features for preventing obesity, such as feeding sterilised cats with a dry food.

It is essential to clean your cat’s teeth to maintain good oral health.

Feline calicivirus (FCV) is a highly contagious RNA virus that is widely distributed among the cat population. It is a common cause of infections in the respiratory tract, digestive tract and ocular conjunctiva.

Ocular lesions are relatively common in leishmaniasis. This article looks at their prevalence and clinical characteristics, particularly anterior uveitis, which is one of the most common conditions.

Feline chlamydiosis is an eye infection caused by the bacterium Chlamydia felis.Chlamydophila bacteria are easily transmitted from one cat to another via direct contact, so it is more common among cats that live together in groups. It can affect cats of all ages but is typically seen in young cats.

Red eye in dogs is a common sign of conjunctivitis. Here we look at the main types of conjunctivitis, their causes and the most appropriate treatment in each case.

The correct diagnosis of ocular problems in dogs requires a complete and thorough examination of the eye and its adnexa, since akin to the rest of the animal’s organ systems, the eyes should receive routine check-ups and monitoring.

An eye ulcer is a common cause for consultation of cats at the veterinary clinic and while most cases can be resolved with topical antibiotics, some require surgical treatment.

The diagnosis and treatment of urinary incontinence in cats may pose a significant challenge to veterinary surgeons.1

Feline hyperaesthesia syndrome should be viewed as a potential cause of spasms in cats.1,2

Vomiting in cats is classed as chronic if it lasts for more than 1–3 weeks and does not respond to symptomatic treatment.1,2

Female cats usually first come into heat between the ages of 6 and 9 months, and may remain in heat for almost the entire year, during which time their behaviour will change to attract males.

Physical changes that may indicate pregnancy can be detected in pregnant cats. These include cessation of heat cycles, swollen and reddened nipples, increased appetite, vomiting and enlarged abdomen. In addition to these changes, the vet may perform a clinical diagnosis to obtain further information.

Reproductive diseases in cats present unique characteristics inherent to this species that we need to understand.

AIDS is a relatively common disease in cats that increases their susceptibility to developing other clinical conditions. The possible relationship between feline immunodeficiency virus and kidney disease has been explored by studying factors such as proteinuria and azotaemia, as well as morphological changes to kidney tissue.

The various kidney problems that cats can suffer include chronic kidney disease, which may affect older cats. Advance Veterinary Diets Renal is a cat food that helps treat this problem

Kidney failure is a condition affecting the kidney, causing its dysfunction. It is the most common kidney disease in cats and the leading cause of death. It can occur in an acute or chronic form.