Grass seeds seem very innocuous, but really they can be nasty and harmful little things. They are a very common cause of discomfort and pain for our pets, especially dogs. They are shaped like an arrow with a very sharp point and feathered sides, and they can easily burrow through skin and lodge into orifices. […]
So what do we know about coconut oil? It’s a source of fat that is rich in medium chain fatty acids. It’s well known to have properties that are: Anti-inflammatory Antibacterial Antiviral Anti-fungal What do we know about coconut oil use in cats and dogs? Unfortunately, we actually know very little. Use by Veterinarians tends […]
On the East Coast of Australia we have entered the ‘tick season’ which is unofficially spring and summer. However, in warmer areas up north it can be all year around. One type of tick, the paralysis tick, is a big problem along the East Coast of Australia, and if left to feed on your pet […]
When your dog is going to meet another dog at the dog park, the way you facilitate this is really important. Should you have one on the lead? Both? Neither? My advice, in most cases, is that they are both off-lead. Introductions can be stressful, especially if you’re not sure how your dog will react […]
There’s nothing more beautiful and lucky than to be able to love your dog for the longest time possible and having them exist into their senior years. Normal ageing would dictate that these guys are slowing down a bit, getting a few more greys, have reduced sight and hearing and that they are at risk […]
What a dog’s dry nose really means, is a question commonly posed to vets. It’s often thought the nose denotes a pet’s overall health status. Some people think that a dry, warm nose signifies they’re sick, or that a cool, moist nose means they are well. The reality is that a dog with a warm, […]
Many dogs and cats like to eat grass. There’s a lot of speculation as to why, but actually little evidence. Popular theories include that they have a dietary deficiency (ie. fibre), that they are sick or feel nauseous and so they choose to eat grass to make themselves vomit. Others believe that they are bored, […]
We do know that dogs experience a type of sleep phase known as ‘rapid eye movement’ sleep (REM), and that REM is also a stage of humans sleep, which is associated with dreaming. Human and dog brains are also not dissimilar in structure, and extrapolating from what we know of humans REM sleep, this may […]
What is Hip Dysplasia (HD)? HD is an abnormal (dysplastic) hip joint. Normally, the femur (leg bone) articulates nicely within the pelvis, in dogs with HD the bones are abnormally formed and there is a lot of laxity and movement in their hip joint leading to abnormal stresses on the surrounding cartilage and bone and […]