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Aquariums for Christmas
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November 29, 2013
It’s Christmas time again and lots of us are thinking of dusting out and setting up that aquarium tank that was in an obscure corner of the house si...
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Barking problems (continued)
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November 22, 2013
Separation Anxiety Barking There is also barking caused by separation anxiety, which often takes place as you prepare to leave, or when you’re not a...
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Barking problems
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November 15, 2013
Dogs bark for a variety of reasons, some good, some not so good. Sometimes barking may be a welcoming signal, other times a warning. Some dogs bark br...
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Dogs with swollen or distended abdomens
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November 8, 2013
Causes of distended abdomens: (i) Parasites/Parasite-borne diseases: Roundworms (especially in puppies) or heartworms. In lots of cases, you may see y...
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Cataracts in dogs
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November 1, 2013
What is a cataract? Inside the eye is a lens that focuses light on the back of the eye or the retina. Vision occurs at the retina. The structure of th...
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Strange things I have seen in my career
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October 25, 2013
One of the most repulsive things I have seen in my practice of veterinary medicine occurred just a few months ago. Late one evening, I came out on an ...
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Being a vet has its ups and downs (continued)
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October 18, 2013
Some of my most memorable moments have been spent on the job. Over the years, I have spayed and castrated thousands dogs and cats. Initially, it took ...
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Being a vet has its ups and downs
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October 11, 2013
Sometimes as a veterinarian, I encounter all sorts of different characters. Some put a smile on my face, while others do the opposite.{{more}} One of ...
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Abscessed teeth (Apical Abscesses)
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September 27, 2013
Periodontal disease which becomes so bad as to extend to the deep root areas known as the “apex” is not uncommon. Bacteria causing infection form ...
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Spontaneous abortions in dogs
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September 20, 2013
Disorders or defects of the mother, pups or placenta can all result in termination of pregnancy. Uterine disease, ovarian disease, fetal deformities, ...
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Pets and zoonotic diseases, continued
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September 13, 2013
Q: How can I prevent my pet from making me sick? A: There are many simple steps you can take to prevent your pet and your family from getting sick:  ...
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Pets and zoonotic diseases
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September 6, 2013
Q: Can animals carry diseases I can catch? A: Yes, they can. Diseases passed from animals to humans are called "zoonotic” diseases.{{more}} Q: Are t...
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Heartworm disease
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August 30, 2013
This disease is caused by a parasite called Dirofilaria immitis, which lives in the heart and adjacent blood vessels. Its presence in this area, cause...
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Spaying and neutering
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August 23, 2013
What is Neutering? To accomplish surgical neutering, a veterinarian removes certain reproductive organs. If your cat or dog is a female, the veterinar...
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Osteoarthritis in dogs
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August 9, 2013
Osteoarthritis or degenerative joint disease is a painful condition of the joints seen frequently in small animals, especially in older pets. Arthriti...
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Cat and dog co-habitation
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July 26, 2013
Many people think that dogs and cats cannot live together, like the proverbial phrase "fighting like cats and dogs” and there is obviously some trut...
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Why do dogs hump?
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July 12, 2013
If you’re a dog owner, you’ve seen it happen – your pooch starts humping the neighbour, a child, another animal. Here’s the real scoop on why ...
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Pyometra in dogs
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July 5, 2013
Pyometra is a disease mainly of middle-aged female dogs that have not been spayed. In the past, we thought pyometra was simply a uterine infection, bu...
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Dogs: If only they could talk
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June 28, 2013
Continued from last week 1. I am thirsty, but goodness me, look at my water bowl. It is growing moss. Please remember that cleanliness is next to godl...
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Dogs: If only they could talk
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June 21, 2013
1. Holy cow! What indignity. Couldn’t you find another place to stick that thermometer? 2. Blaming your poops on me ... not funny … not funny at a...
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Cats and their nine lives
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June 14, 2013
"Cats have nine lives.” Cats' agility, quickness and ability to land on their feet have kept this proverb around for a long time. Have you ever wond...
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Anal sac disease
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June 7, 2013
The anal sacs are located on either side of your pet's anus, just under the skin, at about five and seven o'clock positions. They open to the outside ...
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The bloody nose
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May 31, 2013
Some blood-tinged droplets sneezed on the floor might be the only sign or there might be a steady inexorable bloody drip from one or both nostrils. Th...
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Demodectic Mange
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May 24, 2013
Demodectic mange is caused by a microscopic insect, a mite, which lives under the skin around hair shafts. The mite can be present in small numbers on...
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Parturition and tips on puppy care
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May 17, 2013
After pups are delivered, normally the mother would lick and clean them. She would also bite and cut the umbilical cords, if they are still attached t...
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“AIDS” in household cats
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May 10, 2013
Feline immunodeficiency virus, (FIV) is a widespread viral infection that attacks the immune system of cats. It is also caused by the same family of v...
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Dog fights
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April 26, 2013
Over the years, I have had dogs coming into the clinic with dog bite wounds, varying from a few bites to massive life-threatening wounds. One case tha...
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How to recognize and treat pain in your pets
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April 12, 2013
Treating pain in your dog or cat can be difficult, because while people are "painfully'' aware when they are in pain, animals are much more stoic. The...
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Pregnancy in dogs
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April 5, 2013
The choice of whether or not to breed your dog, is an important decision. Before breeding your dog, you need to ask yourself a few questions: 1. Can I...
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When to mate our dogs
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March 28, 2013
Female dogs generally have two reproductive cycles per year. This process begins at the so-called puberty. Small breeds may start their cycles at 5-6 ...
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Are your pet’s teeth clean?
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March 22, 2013
Man's best friend is notorious for having the world's worst breath. But what seems like just an annoyance could mean serious health problems.{{more}} ...
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Oh, the names we give to our dogs
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March 15, 2013
In my 22 years of practice, I have come across some of the most innovative and amusing names that people give to their pooches.{{more}} Most interesti...
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Mr Perkins
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March 8, 2013
In my 22 years of practice as a veterinarian, all of those 22 years in St Vincent and the Grenadines, I have encountered many amusing things. Some eve...
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A happy, healthy dog
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March 1, 2013
Review your pet’s behaviour against this health checklist once a month to help you detect potential health problems early, before they become seriou...
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Those ‘big bad dogs’
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February 22, 2013
Many of us would walk or drive past a yard that has some really "Big Bad Dogs” and vow to have some just like those one day. Of course, if you are l...
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Cat Vocalizations
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February 15, 2013
Meow, meow, meow... Purrs, chirps, hisses and snarls…What exactly is your cat trying to tell you? A stray tabby gives birth to a litter of three kit...
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Vomiting in dogs
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February 8, 2013
If you think dogs vomit a lot, you’re right. That’s because dogs have a well-developed vomiting centre in their brains, which allows them to throw...
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Feline Leukemia: Continued from last week…
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January 18, 2013
What happens if a cat is infected with the FeLv (Feline Leukemia virus)? When we are exposed to a virus such as a flu virus, there are two possible ou...
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Some diseases of cats
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January 11, 2013
1. Feline Leukemia virus disease: Feline Leukemia virus infection was, until recently, the most common fatal disease in cats. Because we can now prote...