ASK DR CLAIRE My 3 week old kitten just sleeps and drinks kitty milk. Is that normal? It’s normal for young kittens to sleep a lot. Actually it’s normal for most cats to sleep a lot! As a ballpark, kittens can sleep anywhere between 15-20 hours per day (even more in really young kittens). The […]
For happy smiles and a healthy mouth I often recommend tooth brushing. There are some exceptions though. Just as we do, your dog needs daily attention to keep their mouths clean and free of foul odour producing bacteria and tartar. Being proactive when it comes to your dogs mouth not only makes those close cuddles […]
Have you ever had a look into your pet’s adoring eyes only to discover there is something ‘not quite right’. You start wondering – what should you do? Can you treat it at home? Can it wait until morning? And what if your pet suddenly appears blind? Eye problems need to be assessed swiftly. Conditions […]
This mental health week let’s look at, and celebrate four ways that pets improve our mental health. As a vet and carer to my beautiful Kelpie Red, the following holds true to me, as it does also to countless clients I’ve had the pleasure to look after. 1. Pets reduce stress Stress is a major […]
Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) is very common in dogs in Australia and especially prevalent in some breeds (most famously the gorgeous Dachshunds). Get proactive in keeping your mates back healthy and know what signs to be aware of in the unhappy case that your mate is affected by IVDD. The sooner veterinary help is sought, […]
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, […]
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 […]
We’ve talked about why dogs lick themselves but what about when they are licking you?! Whilst licking is a completely normal behaviour and an important form of communication, it can be a sign of an issue when it’s done excessively. Firstly, licking you (or the floor or the couch etc!) can indicate a gastrointestinal problem […]