Library

Feline immunodeficiency virus was first identified in the United States in 1986. The infection subsequently spread to the rest of the world.

Corticosteroids for dogs are frequently used to treat a variety of diseases. Here we discuss their mechanism of action and the main side effects associated with prolonged use.

Mastitis in dogs may occur during lactation or also during a phantom pregnancy, although this is less common.

Diarrhoea is a very common condition in kittens that indicates an underlying problem. So much so that a recent study of cats by an insurance company in Sweden revealed that the three main causes of feline morbidity were trauma, gastrointestinal disorders and lower urinary tract disease. The main causes in the gastrointestinal category were similar in both Sweden and the US, with 4% of diagnoses reporting nonspecific problems such as vomiting and/or diarrhoea.

All feline patients should receive the essential 3-in-1 vaccine for cats. It should be given to 2-month-old kittens, followed by a booster at 3 months, but always after weaning has occurred, as antibodies from maternal milk may neutralise the vaccine. However, if left for too long, the cat will be unprotected.

Faecaloid vomiting in dogs is indicative of an intestinal obstruction, so a correct anamnesis is important to reach the correct diagnosis. Treatment may require surgery, with a prognosis that depends on the degree of compromise to the patient.

Faecaloid vomiting is indicative of an intestinal obstruction. Intestinal obstruction may be due to a variety of causes, as explained below.

Urinary incontinence in dogs is the involuntary elimination of urine from the bladder.

Gastroenteritis is one of the most frequent causes of vomiting and diarrhoea in dogs, but it rarely leads to a severe problem when treated correctly. Even though it has a self-limiting course, the use of a prebiotic/probiotic cocktail can accelerate recovery.

Otitis in cats should be considered a multifactorial problem that requires a specific approach distinct from that used in dogs.

Given the difficulties of managing diarrhoea in dogs, Affinity Petcare conducted a clinical study to assess the efficacy and performance of diet in the control of chronic inflammatory enteropathies in dogs. The study consisted of administering a hypoallergenic diet or a highly digestible diet supplemented with bioactive plasma proteins and assessing its effect on dogs with chronic enteropathies.

Intestinal problems are common in young cats and those from colonies or shelters and are often caused by Giardia. Here we look at the characteristics, diagnosis and treatment of the disease it causes, known as giardiasis, as well as its prevention.

The composition of the dog’s diet is very important when treating gastroenteritis. Enterocytes become atrophied in the intestine and have less capacity for water retention and nutrient absorption, so foods for dogs with diarrhoea must be easy to digest.

From March 2012 to May 2013, 1,519 cats were included in a multicentre study conducted at nine veterinary schools across Europe (Austria, Belgium, France, Hungary, Italy, Romania and Spain). Each cat was assessed for ectoparasites by combing close to the skin, an otoscopic examination and microscopy on cerumen samples. Endoparasites were identified through standard stool tests performed on fresh faecal samples.

Allergic skin disorders in dogs, including atopic dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis and urticaria, require treatment with therapeutic agents to alleviate the clinical signs. Most treatments mainly focus on reducing the inflammation and relieving itching.

Ectopic ureter is a potential cause of urinary incontinence in dogs. After corrective surgery, approximately 26% of cases continue to suffer from urinary incontinence. Which factors are associated with a poor prognosis?

Endoscopy in dogs is an extremely useful technique in the diagnosis and management of various urinary tract disorders.

X-rays in dogs can detect problems such as traumatic rupture of the ureter, a rare disorder that affects urinary function and can endanger the animal’s life.

Doxycycline is an antibiotic drug from the tetracycline group and is indicated to fight bacterial infections, acting against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria with a bacteriostatic mechanism of action.

The frequent use of anti-inflammatories for dogs demands a more thorough analysis of their side effects. Their impact on the GI tract and their renal and hepatic toxicity have all been reported in the literature, but these drugs also increase blood pressure and cardiac afterload.

Prednisolone is the active metabolite of prednisone. Its effect is predominantly that of a glucocorticoid, as it has very low mineralocorticoid activity.

Oesophageal stricture and oesophagitis are rare disorders in cats. In several cases they have been associated with the use of anaesthetics1, mainly after general anaesthesia.

Allergic reactions to antibiotics are quite rare in cats, but they can lead to serious clinical conditions. Here we analyse the main clinical signs and most appropriate treatments.

Sterilised cats require 30% fewer calories to maintain their weight. Consequently, they are more likely to be obese. To address this problem, the energy intake must be reduced by a further 20 to 30%. Feeding cats with a specially adapted low-calorie diet ensures they receive the correct amounts of nutrients while also losing weight.

Fibrosarcoma is a slow-growing malignant (cancerous) tumour. Urinary tract cancer in dogs can affect the bladder, ureters, kidneys, prostate or urethra. Cancer of the bladder is the most frequent site and accounts for about 2% of all malignant tumours reported in dogs.

Constipation is a digestive system disorder that tends to affect older cats. In this post we look at its characteristics and analyse a study that identified the risk factors for constipation.

Weight loss in senior dogs is sometimes indicative of a serious underlying disease.

Diarrhoea in cats is a common cause of consultation and can be triggered by multiple factors, which must be studied during the diagnosis so they can be approached and resolved correctly.

Pancreatitis is the most frequent disorder of the exocrine pancreas in cats, and it is an underdiagnosed condition in most cases due to a low level of clinical suspicion.

Gastroenteritis in cats is a general term to describe irritation or inflammation of the digestive tract characterised by the sudden onset of vomiting and diarrhoea. This post discusses the multiple aetiologies responsible for these disorders, as well as their diagnosis and the importance of diet.

Lipomas in dogs are benign tumours that generally have no bearing on the animal’s health, but they are often a source of alarm for owners.^1,2 

Sarcoptic mange is a parasitic disease caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei var. Canis. It manifests as intense, pruritic dermatitis that can produce type I, III and IV hypersensitivity reactions in dogs. In many cases, a small number of mites cause extreme pruritus, which implies the direct cause of the clinical manifestations may be the hypersensitivity reaction.

An increasing number of cat owners are choosing to sterilise their pets, either for behavioural reasons or due to their awareness of the abandonment of unwanted litters.

The veterinary sector is currently examining different nonsurgical methods for sterilising male cats. Here, we look at some of the most promising ones.

Either an ovariohysterectomy or ovariectomy can be performed to sterilise female cats. We look at both procedures in terms of the possible complications and their short- and long-term effects.

The sterilisation of female dogs should be an informed decision made on a case-by-case basis. Here we look at the preferences of pet owners in the veterinary community and the efficacy of some new surgical techniques, as well as the pros and cons of castration.

Diarrhoea in dogs is a very common sign in most gastrointestinal diseases. The clinical picture and treatment of diarrhoea in dogs will depend on the aetiology of each case and the use of antibiotics must follow some specific indications. Let’s have a look at each case.

It is cheaper to sterilise cats than to have them breed and then care for their offspring. Allowing them to be born with no intention of looking after them, but rather abandoning them, is irresponsible. Sterilisation is a preventive action that, besides improving the pet’s quality of life, helps to keep the cat population under control.

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.