Diseases & conditions

Colitis in cats is a chronic bowel disease resulting from inflammation of the colon causing discomfort and diarrhea. Learn more about feline colitis here.

Although uncomfortable constipation is one of the most common digestive problems associated with felines. Learn more about cat constipation, signs & causes.

The cornea is the transparent outer membrane that protects the front of the eye, including the iris (coloured part of the eye). The cornea is made up of three layers of highly specialised skin cells.

Just like humans, cats can also suffer from megacolon or constipation. Find the right treatment for your cat and learn about causes, signs & symptoms.

Dew claws are short nails on the site of the foot that don’t touch the ground. They are often referred to as a dog’s thumb, but they have a lot less purpose and value to a dog than a human’s thumb does.

Otitis externa is a common disorder of the ear in dogs and cats. It is not a disease but a collection of symptoms that are secondary to a disease or infection.

The most common form of arthritis in dogs is osteoarthritis, also known as “OA”, rheumatism or degenerative joint disease (DJD).

In medical terminology, an anomaly is an abnormality that is present at birth. An eye or ocular anomaly is a defect affecting the structure of the eye that is evident at birth, or shortly after. This is also known as a congenital disorder or birth defect.

Keratoconjunctivis sicca (KCS) is an eye disease that is also commonly referred to as “dry eye.” KCS is an inflammation of the cornea, which is the clear, transparent front of the eye, and the conjunctiva, which is the delicate membrane lining the eye, brought about by dryness of the eye.

Lymphadenopathy in cats is also known as swollen lymph nodes. Learn more about the types of inflammation in cats, symptoms, causes, diagnosis & treatment.

Protein-losing enteropathy (PLE) refers to an excessive loss of protein from the bloodstream in the intestinal tract. The word “enteropathy” means any disease of the intestinal system. Protein losing enteropathy is not a specific disease but rather a syndrome associated with several gastrointestinal (GI) diseases in dogs that result in a loss of protein from the intestines.

A respiratory tract infection (RTIs) is an infectious disease that can affect the nose, sinuses and throat (upper respiratory tract) or the airways or lungs (lower respiratory tract). 

Carcinomas are cancers that develop in cells which cover the internal organs and outer surfaces of the body. A squamous cell carcinoma is a form of skin cancer; more specifically it is a malignant tumour in the epidermal cells of the skin.

What you need to know about allergies in dogs.

Dogs and cats vomit for a wide variety of reasons.  Sometimes they may have eaten something that didn’t agree with them or maybe they ate too fast. 

A tapeworm is a parasite; a long worm that attaches itself to your dog or cat’s intestines using a system of suckers or muscular grooves.

Roundworms, also commonly referred to as ‘worms’ are an extremely common parasitic worm found in both cats and dogs.

Luxation of the patellar is a condition where the kneecap moves out of its correct position, causing the animal a great deal of pain. Dogs can often kick the patella back into place but, if not corrected, the condition can lead to lameness.

The Parvovirus, Parvo, or Canine Parvovirus is a highly contagious and very serious viral infection that attacks a dog’s immune system.

The Paralysis Tick or Ixodes Holocyclusis is the only tick species in Australia that poses a real threat to pets.

Mange or demodex is an irritating skin disease, caused by parasitic mites, that is common in both cats and dogs.

In this column, our resident vet and pet lover, Dr Jo, shares some of her insights for keeping your pets happy, fit and healthy.

Patella luxation is a very common issue among dogs (and rarely among cats) of all ages and breeds, though it is known to affect smaller breeds such as Pomeranians and Chihuahuas more commonly than larger breeds and there appears to be a higher rate of occurrence among female dogs.

The heart and blood vessels (arteries and veins) are part of the cardiovascular system.