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This section discusses some of the illnesses and injuries that we treat most frequently.
We discuss how you can spot whether your pet may be affected, and outline what we can do about to treat the problem.
Click on the links on the left to find out more.
We'll be adding new items over the coming months so it's worth visiting this page regularly.
Hyperthyroidism or an overactive thyroid gland is commonly seen in middle aged to older cats. It is rare in dogs.
Signs: Generally cats with hyperthyroidism are ravenously hungry but lose weight, they are very restless and may be grumpy with a dull scruffy coat and may drink and pass more water than usual.
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Feeling the thyroid gland |
Diagnosis may be made by clinical examination which will reveal a very high heart rate (200+ beats per minute) and an enlarged thyroid gland which can sometimes be felt as a tell-tale small bump in the neck, close to the windpipe. Diagnosis can be confirmed by a blood test to measure the amount of thyroid hormone in the blood.
Treatment starts with a course of tablets to suppress the overactive gland and sometimes other drugs to slow the heart rate if it is dangerously high. Full control may take from two to six weeks but reversal of the symptoms begins almost immediately.
Very elderly cats may just be kept on tablets permanently, but a more effective treatment if there is no other disease is to remove the thyroid gland surgically.
Chronic kidney failure is a common condition in older cats and dogs but can also occur in young animals as well. Kidney failure is characterised by a progressive loss of renal tissue leading to an inability of the kidney to provide normal function.
The cause of kidney failure in younger animals is most likely to be congenital or familial. In older animals it is usually acquired as a result of infection or toxic insult.
The signs of kidney failure are excessive thirst and drinking, excessive passing of water, anorexia (severe loss of appetite), weight loss, vomiting, lethargy (tiredness) and smelly breath.
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Testing in the lab |
Confirmation of kidney disease can be made by a blood test.
Early detection of chronic renal failure and management of the disease will slow down the progression of the disease.
Treatment
of kidney failure is with intravenous fluids, anabolic steroids and special diets which
contain high quality protein, with increased carbohydrates, low phosphorous and low
sodium.
'Fox mange' or sarcoptic mange is caused by the mange mite - Sarcoptes Scabei.
Sarcoptic mange is highly contagious in dogs and can affect humans.
A reservoir of mange is carried in the fox population - hence the name 'fox mange.'
Signs include severe scratching and itchiness, leading to self trauma in specific sites - namely the edges of the dogs ears, the back of elbows and hocks and around the breast bone area. Often crusting redness and soreness is seen in these areas.
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Diagnosis by microscopy |
Diagnosis is generally made from clinical signs; it can be confirmed by taking skin scrapings and examining them for the presence of mites or eggs under the microscope.
Treatment
is with an anti-mite sponge-on preparation; as many as two or three applications may be
needed, fourteen days apart. It may also be necessary to treat the dog with anti
inflammatory drugs and antibiotics to eliminate any secondary bacterial infections.
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Examining ears |
Otitis externa is an inflammation and infection of the external ear canal and is commonly seen in dogs, and sometimes in cats.
The causes are numerous and include foreign bodies, (grass seeds, hair, dirt or ear secretions), parasites, yeasts, fungi and bacterial infections.
The first signs of an ear infection that you will see is your dog scratching the affected ear and shaking its head. There may be a discharge and smell from the ear, as well as redness, swelling, crusting or pain in the affected ear.
Examination of the ear canal by a veterinary surgeon using an auroscope will confirm the diagnosis.
Treatment of the problem is with special drops; sometimes a veterinary surgeon may need to flush the ear out under anaesthetic.
In severe cases surgery may be needed on the ear canal.
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A flea in cat hair |
Fleas are the most common cause of skin conditions in dogs and cats.
With the increased use of of central heating in homes, fleas are now an all year round problem.
The most common signs of flea bite dermatitis - sometimes called flea allergy dermatitis or FAD - are scratching, redness and soreness, hair loss and scabby lesions especially over the back and tail head regions of dogs and cats also owners may suffer from fleabites.
An allergy to flea saliva causes the initial irritation which is then followed by self trauma.
Diagnosis is made by the presence of fleas, and flea dirts which look like specks of coal dust and will dissolve when placed on moist paper or cotton wool going a red brown colour.
Treatment is by good flea control either by the use of spot-ons (Advantage or Frontline), sprays (Frontline) or oral treatments (Program). Program also available as an injection for cats.
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Injecting a cat with a |
More information on these products - and on fleas generally - is available in the pet care section of this website.
Antibiotics and anti inflammatories may be needed to treat the severe scratching and secondary bacterial infections.
It is also important to
remember that only 5% of the flea population will be on the animal with the rest of the
population in the environment i.e. your household so it is important that your household
is treated with an environmental product such as Nuvan Staykill.
Dental disease or periodontal disease is one of the most common diseases encountered in veterinary practice; it is estimated that over 80% of cats and dogs over the age of three years have periodontal disease that would benefit from treatment.
Periodontal disease is a disease of the supporting structures of the teeth and may lead to the eventual loss of healthy teeth. It is a common incidental finding during routine clinical examinations, e.g. annual health checks and booster vaccinations.
The cause of periodontal disease is mainly bacterial plaque on the teeth; processed food and the immune status of the animal may be contributory factors.
The signs may be minimal but include the presence of yellow or brown deposits on the teeth and reddening of the gums, smelly breath, difficulty eating, excessive salivation (possibly with blood streaks from bleeding gums) and rubbing the mouth on the ground or with paws.
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Dentistry |
The presence of large deposits of bacteria in the mouth, as well as being unpleasant, may allow bacteria to enter the bloodstream - potentially leading to heart, kidney or liver disease.
Treatment is by scaling and polishing the teeth under a general anaesthetic, extraction of teeth, the use of antibiotics to treat infection and prevention of recurrence by daily brushing.
Some specially designed
chews and feedstuffs may also help.
The anal glands are two small scent glands either side of dogs' and cats' back passage. The anal glands normally empty automatically when a dog or cat passes a motion; any retention of these secretions can lead to inflammation and infection of the glands.
The cause of anal gland impaction is generally unknown but may be related to diet, undersized anal gland ducts or loose stools.
Signs of anal gland impaction are pain on passing a motion, straining, licking and biting round the tail head region, redness and swelling round the anus or abscess formation in the gland with a red/brown discharge. One of the most common signs seen by owners is their dog dragging its bottom along the ground - often called 'scooting.'
Treatment is by a veterinary surgeon emptying the anal glands.
Infected anal glands may need treatment with anti inflammatory drugs or antibiotics.
If the problem is persistent or recurring then the glands may need to be surgically removed.
What do dogs and footballers have in common?
They both suffer from a knee injury known as a ruptured cruciate ligament.
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Austen in the office |
The injury occurs in young and fit individuals who put excess strain on the stifle joint (the equivalent of the knee in humans) and/or in dogs with existing arthritis or obesity.
The typical history is the young active dog who turns suddenly when (for example) chasing a ball, yelps and holds up one of its back legs.
Diagnosis is usually made on clinical examination, but x-rays or analysis of the fluid in the joint may be required for confirmation.
Treatment
depends on the age and size of the dog. Small dogs may recover well without surgery, but
an operation to repair the torn ligament is the best treatment in larger dogs.
Osteochondrosis (sometimes referred to as OCD, osteochondritis dissicans or fragmented coronoid process) are a group of conditions involving the bones and joints of growing puppies.
The condition is usually seen in pups over 5 months of age.
Large and giant breeds are most commonly affected. It is rare in small breeds.
Typically the pup will have a mild lameness which may be worse after lying down - particularly if the rest has followed a period of vigorous exercise. Although lame initially, these dogs will be only too willing to go for a walk or chase a ball; the lameness may even improve with exercise, leading owners to assume that there can't be too much wrong.
Joints commonly affected are the shoulder and elbow, and less commonly, the knee (stifle) and hock (ankle).
The exact causes of these conditions is not known, but it is far more common in certain breeds e.g. Labradors, Bernese Mountain dogs, which suggests a genetic link. To try to improve the situation there is now a screening program for breeding animals which involves taking X rays of the elbows of prospective dams and sires, and having them analysed before mating.
We do know, however, that over feeding and over supplementation of the diet can make things a lot worse. It is important not too grow these big dogs too fast and a quality branded puppy food is recommended e.g. Hills Growth, Hills Growth for Giant breeds, Pedigree Formula puppy.
In these conditions a small ulcer may develop on a joint surface or a small piece of cartilage may break off into the joint.
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X-ray of knee |
Diagnosis is by X ray; surgery may be required.
In the old days, these conditions would have been described as growing pains and little or no treatment given.
However, today we are able to more accurately define these problems and take the necessary action to minimise the risks of subsequent arthritis - so if you have a large or giant breed pup that has slight limp, which persists for more than a few days... better get it checked.
