Hot spots on dogs (also known as canine acute moist dermatitis) are bacterial skin infections caused by irritation. Hot spots usually occur on the paw, limbs, hip, chest or ears but can develop almost anywhere on the body. Hot spot related bacterial infections arise initially as a result of biting or scratching at a site of irritation. This irritation could …

Canine otitis externa refers to the inflammation of the external ear, the ear canal. Other types of canine otitis include otitis media and otitis interna, referring to inflammation of the middle and inner ear. Canine otitis externa is relatively common amongst dogs, estimated to affect between 14-20%. All ages and breeds can develop the condition, although long-eared breeds are more …

Canine atopic dermatitis is the term given to the skin irritation that develops in dogs with allergies to certain common allergens such as pollen. Canine atopic dermatitis is fairly common and is estimated to affect around 7-10% of dogs. It can take time for the allergies responsible for the skin irritation to develop, which means that symptoms of the condition …

A recent study reported that a number of hypoallergenic pet foods were actually contaminated with undeclared animal by-products that could cause allergic responses. Hypoallergenic diets are an important diagnostic tool for determining pet food allergies, however the study discovered that 10 of the 12 limited antigen diets contained undeclared avian, mammalian or fish DNA (e.g. bone, protein and fats). This …

Bone cancer in dogs (canine osteosarcoma) results in aggressive development of tumours on the canine skeleton, particularly below the knee or elbow. The rapid spread (metastasis) of the cancer means that even amputation of the affected limb may not be enough to prevent further development of the cancer. With the right treatment and care, around 25% of affected dogs will …

We recently wrote about canine idiopathic epilepsy, a form of epilepsy where the cause remains unknown. Today we are looking at a new treatment; Pexion. The severity of epilepsy can vary greatly between individual sufferers. Some dogs may experience a single, isolated seizure, whilst other can experience multiple seizures every week. Recently Boehringer Ingelheim has announced their latest product for the treatment of canine …

Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) is thought to affect over 11% of the cat population worldwide. It is closely related to the Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Whilst the virus is not typically lethal, it can result in a higher occurrence of infections and degenerative conditions that can be stressful and uncomfortable for the infected cat. Many cats afflicted with FIV suffer from intestinal …

We’ve compiled a list of what we think are the 12 best supplements for your dog, including vitamins, minerals, prebiotics, probiotics and more. Supplements are becoming increasingly popular in the companion animal industry, following the successes of the human supplement industry. So we’ve taken a look at just what those supplements are actually proven to do. Take a look through …

As the ‘horse meat scandal’ continues to develop, concern has been growing over the possible danger that bute (phenylbutazone) may impose on human health. In this article, we’ll be discussing what bute is and why it is used, as well as the risks that it may (or may not) carry. Also covered below are the recent results from the FSA …

We all know how important diet and nutrition are in maintaining good health, for both ourselves and our pets. This is why it is important to provide our animals with a varied diet, to ensure that they receive all the nutrients they need and to prevent deficiencies. Whilst we may feed certain foodstuffs to correct or prevent deficiency, an increasing number of …