Diseases & conditions

Kennel Cough or infectious tracheobronchitis is a common infection that affects both dogs and cats. Kennel Cough is a contagious condition; it is caused by a mix of bad bacteria and viruses that targets the animal’s respiratory system.

 Arthritis is a general term for abnormal changes in a joint. Usually it relates to inflammation of the joint, which hampers movement and causes discomfort and pain.

Hip dysplasia is a common condition among dogs, particularly large and giant breeds. Small dogs can be affected but they are less likely to show signs.

Feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD) describes a group of diseases affecting the bladder and urethra of cats which show similar clinical signs.

Heartworms are long, parasitic worms that live and grow to great lengths in an animal’s heart and lungs.

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus, also commonly known as FIV is a virus that is passed between cats through contact with the saliva, usually via bites and scratches.

Lymphoma is a cancer which grows in the immune system’s lymphocyte cells. These white blood cells play an essential role in protecting the body from diseases.

Seizures or convulsions in dogs is usually caused by a neurological condition that causes recurrent seizures.

Urolithiasis is the medical term for the presence of stones, also known as calculi or uroliths, in the urinary tract.

Pancreatitis in dogs or canine pancreatitis is the inflammation of the pancreas. The pancreas is an important part of the digestive system as it produces the enzymes needed to digest food properly.

Cardiomyopathy literally means disease of the heart muscle. Canines suffer from two types of cardiomyopathy: dilated cardiomyopathy and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Ear problems are one of the most common conditions brought to vets. Often, ear problems are linked with allergies, but may be indicative of a more serious issue.

Dogs usually pass about one or two stools a day, though it is not uncommon for some dogs to go a couple of days without a bowel movement. Constipation occurs in most dogs at one time or another, and fortunately most cases are not serious and can be treated quite easily.

Cruciate disease is the deterioration of the stifle (knee) joint, resulting from the sudden or progressive injury to the cranial cruciate ligament (CCL). It is one of the most common and most debilitating orthopaedic diseases seen in dogs but is far less common in cats.

Canine distemper is a highly contagious and often fatal disease that can affect dogs. It is an airborne virus that is also spread through contact with items like clothing, dog brushes, shared food, shared water bowls or other utensils.   

Diarrhoea – frequent liquid or loose bowel movements – can be caused by a number of different illnesses and some of them can be serious, but it is also a very common occurrence after a change in diet or environment.

Hyperadrenocorticism, or Cushing’s disease, is one of the most common endocrine disorders that affects dogs.

Cherry Eye or ‘third eyelid’ is a disorder that occurs when the nictitating membrane or third eyelid is released from its position and protrudes out over part of the eye.

The alimentary canal, also known as the digestive or gastrointestinal tract, is the long tube of the digestive system that extends from the mouth to the anus, through which food passes, digestion takes place and wastes are eliminated.

A trichobezoar, also known as a hairball or furball, is a long cylindrical mass of hair that forms in the stomach. It is normal for cats to vomit up the occasional trichobezoar, particularly longer haired cats.

Dog coughing is one of the most common complaints that veterinarians hear day-to-day. Just like human beings, the reason for coughing in dogs varies greatly and could mean very little or something more serious; it depends on a number of factors.

Hyperadrenocorticism (more commonly known as Cushing’s disease) is a condition which causes excessive production of the hormone cortisol by the adrenal glands (situated in the belly, near the kidneys). The disease seldom affects cats and is more common in dogs, especially young dogs.

Addison’s disease is a deficiency of cortisol (a hormone produced by the adrenal gland) or aldosterone (a steroid produced by the adrenal gland).

Cat Scratch Disease or CSD as it’s commonly known is a severe bacterial infection that is passed from cats to humans and causes swelling of the lymph nodes. The infection is known as Cat Scratch Disease because it is passed on by means of scratches, licking or biting. Over 90% of all Cat Scratch Disease cases have been due to contact with a cat or kitten.