Canine separation-related problems: Part 4: first steps in resolving owner absent problems

Studies have found that 22–55% of the domestic dog population display behaviours that are problematic for their owners during owner absence (Bradshaw et al, 2002; Mills and Mills, 2003; Marques Soares...

Canine septic arthritis

Cases of septic arthritis commonly present with an acute, severe lameness without a known traumatic event. This often shows little improvement with rest or analgesia, unlike with lameness that occurs...

Is it time to re-evaluate anti-parasitic use in companion animals?

Parasites for which prophylactic and/or therapeutic drug use is common range across the spectrum of protozoa, helminths and arthropods. A non-exhaustive summary of common parasites, their geographic...

Canine phaeochromocytoma: a guide to diagnosis and treatment

Clinical signs are primarily associated with excessive catecholamine secretion and, to a lesser extent, with the space-occupying or invasive nature of the tumour (Table 1). Clinical signs may be...

Canine separation-related problems: part 3: identifying the emotional component

Hyper-attachment is no longer described in literature about human separation; instead, such literature focuses on different forms of attachment (Ainsworth, 1979), focusing less on specific ‘disorders’...

Updates on Emerging and Evolving Gastrointestinal Parasites in Dogs and Cats

This case concerns a young female entire Border Collie who initially presented for reduced appetite and weight loss, and shortly thereafter developed bloody diarrhoea. Clinical history revealed that...

Canine atopic dermatitis

The previous definition of canine atopic dermatitis was of a ‘genetically predisposed inflammatory and pruritic allergic skin disease with characteristic clinical features associated with...

Separation-related problems part 2: owner absence, learning and pain

Not only can owner behaviour (such as inappropriate introductions to separation or inadequate preparation of dogs to experience a sense of safety whilst alone) predispose dogs towards...

Dietary hyperthyroidism in a dog with epileptic seizures

Hyperthyroidism is rare in dogs compared to cats. The most common cause of hyperthyroidism in dogs is a functional thyroid tumour, either benign or malignant, whereas cats and humans are more often...

Successful use of dual-plate fixation to treat a canine comminuted scapula fracture

A 9-month-old, female, spayed, German shepherd cross-breed dog was presented for management of a left-sided, traumatic, closed comminuted scapula fracture that had occurred 8 days prior to...

Salbutamol toxicosis in dogs

Most cases of salbutamol toxicosis in dogs are due to puncturing an asthma inhaler. In cases where the salbutamol dose was estimated, 0.33–0.72 mg/kg caused restlessness, tachycardia, tachypnoea,...

Canine separation–related problem behaviours – part 1: social living and owner absence

Sociality and social connectedness are considered to be adaptive (McMillan, 2016), bringing benefits such as safety, parental care, improved food acquisition and mate procurement. For social species,...

Infective endocarditis in dogs and cats

The normal endocardium is resistant to adherence of pathogens, but it can become susceptible when damaged. Mechanical or inflammatory lesions can cause bacterial seeding within the endothelium. In one...

Malnutrition in dogs and cats

There is clear evidence that malnourished people have poorer outcomes in a number of diseases. There is similar evidence in canine and feline medicine to support the notion that malnourished patients...

Canine pheochromocytoma: diagnosis and surgical management

Clinical signs associated with pheochromocytomas are secondary to the release of catecholamines, local infiltration and metastatic disease (Gilson et al, 1994b; Barthez et al, 1997). Catecholamine...