Health & Nutrition A - Z

A swelling containing infected material (pus), often seen on the tail, head or back of a dog or cat, less commonly seen in dogs than cats. Usually caused by a bite. Affected animals have a firm, painful lump and can feel unwell, may go off their food or run a high temperature, so veterinary attention is required. The abscess may rupture and pus will leak out.

A hairless sore found typically on the wrist (carpus) or ankle (tarsus) region of a dog's leg. Caused by excessive licking, these lesions are very hard to treat and can be the result of skin disease, boredom, or joint pain.

The virus causing canine hepatitis, a disease that can affect the liver, kidneys and the cells lining the blood vessels, causing high fever, thirst, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, liver damage and haemorrhage. This disease is preventable with vaccination.

Cats that are aggressive can be very dangerous and veterinary advice should be sought if a cat is persistently aggressive towards people. There are many different causes of aggressive behaviour ranging from fear, to over-exuberant play. Consultation with a veterinary behaviourist may help solve aggression problems.

 Aggressive behaviour

In dogs and cats, allergies are typically related to food or commonly parasites such as fleas. Signs of an allergy include: itchy skin, recurrent ear infections, scratching, hair loss, scabs and red areas on the skin, skin abrasions, diarrhoea and vomiting. Commonly diagnosed through an elimination diet trial, under veterinary supervision.

 Food Allergies
 Food Allergies

 Special Diets
 Special Diets

True cases of food allergy are unusual and involve a reaction to often only tiny amounts of an ingredient in a particular food, which triggers an allergic inflammatory reaction. In severe cases this can affect the whole body, causing diarrhoea, itchy and damaged skin, and respiratory problems. If your cat or dog shows signs of such a reaction seek veterinary advice to help identify which food is responsible. Generally your vet will undertake a food elimination trial to try to work out the underlying cause of the allergic reaction and may suggest long-term changes in diet, including a specially formulated veterinary recommended diet, to help manage the condition.

 Food Allergies
 Food Allergies

 Special Diets
 Special Diets

Hair loss due to any cause. One of the most common causes of hair loss in dogs and cats is an allergy to flea bites.

 Hair Loss
 Hair Loss

Fleas & Ticks
 Treating ticks, fleas and other parasites

The basic components of proteins. Many of the 20 standard amino acids are called essential amino acids because they cannot be synthesised from other compounds in the body and must therefore be obtained from food. Amino acids support the growth and development of all body tissues.

Cats are dependent on proteins, and deficiencies in certain (essential) types can result in health problems.

 Getting the balance right
 Getting the balance right

Usually the result of car accidents and resultant bone or soft tissue injury. Most dogs and cats quickly recover from the operation, and cope very well on three legs.

 Coping with amputation
 Coping with amputation

Anaemia occurs when there is a decreased amount of red blood cells in the circulatory system or a less than normal amount of the oxygen carrying substance, haemoglobin, within these cells. There are many different causes of anaemia in dogs and cats including blood loss due to haemorrhage (bleeding), or certain immune system abnormalities. Dogs and cats with very severe anaemia may need a blood transfusion.

Part of the body's natural defence systems, produced to combat infections and invading substances recognised as not belonging to the body, such as viruses and bacteria. On occasion, antibodies can be produced inappropriately by the body, for example in response to a protein in food, resulting in an allergic reaction.

Literally meaning 'against oxidation', antioxidants strengthen your cat and dog's immune system, destroying free radicals (substances that can damage the body) and keeping the body cells in balance. A good example is vitamin E.

 Getting the balance Right
 Getting the balance Right

Simply means inflammation of the joints. The most common form of arthritis is osteoarthritis, typically seen in older dogs and cats. Other forms of arthritis can occur if the body's immune system inappropriately attacks the joints. Affected dogs and cats may have difficulty standing after lying down, be lame on one or more legs and may seem less active than normal. Your vet may be able to provide some treatment in the form of pain relief and/or suggest a dietary changes/supplements.

 Caring for your senior cat
 Caring for your senior dog

If your cat stops breathing, you may need to perform artificial respiration to keep the essential supply of oxygen to the blood. Press very gently down on the chest with thumbs and fingertips. Allow the lungs to refill with fresh air. Repeat every five seconds until your cat starts to breathe. If there is no sign of life after 30 seconds, try mouth-to-nose respiration. Tilt back your cat's head, hold the mouth shut and blow short gentle breaths into both nostrils for three seconds to inflate the lungs. Be careful not to over inflate the lungs.

A term commonly found in pet food labelling to describe the amount of minerals in the product.

Like humans, cats can develop an allergic reaction to various inhaled allergens such as pollen, smoke or house dust-mite faeces. Signs include wheezing and coughing, just like a human allergy sufferer. There are other conditions that could have the same signs so your vet will need to do some tests including xrays (radiographs) and possibly taking a look down your cat's airways (bronchoscopy). Treatment often involves anti-inflammatory drugs such as steroids that can now be given via an inhaler (like human asthmatics use). If diagnosed early, structural changes to the lungs and airways are usually reversed, and damage minimised, but treatment is likely to be life-long.

A skin disease caused by hypersensitivity to various allergens, a common cause of redness of the skin and itching, as well as recurrent ear problems.

Vitamin B is a complex of nine water-soluble vitamins. The name arises because it was once considered a single vitamin, much like Vitamin C or Vitamin D, but later research has since shown it is in fact a complex of chemically distinct vitamins that happen to often coexist in the same foods; the term B-Complex or B Vitamins is commonly used. B Vitamins often work together to deliver a number of health benefits including bolstering the metabolism, maintaining healthy skin and muscle tone, enhancing immune and nervous system functions and promoting cell growth and division. They also could help fight cardiovascular disease. Examples of B-complex vitamins include Folic Acid, Riboflavin, Niacin and Biotin.

 Getting the balance right
 Getting the balance right

Cats can develop a stone-like object, called a urolith, in the bladder, and less commonly, in the kidney. Signs of such a problem include blood in the urine, increased frequency of urination, and difficulty passing urine. Uroliths can pass into the urethra (tube between the bladder and outside) causing a partial or total obstruction of the urethra so little or no urine can pass. Contact your vet immediately if you see your cat visiting the litter tray frequently, or straining to urinate.

 Urinary Tract Health

Top up vaccinations, given to dog and catss one year after initial vaccination and then at yearly intervals, depending on the vaccine manufacturer recommendations or as advised by your vet.

 The importance of regular vet check-ups
 The importance of regular vet check-ups