Common conditions

Here are a few of the more common conditions. If you think your pet may have a health problem, please don't delay in calling us to make an appointment for us to check. Conditions are more easily treated in the early stages. Why not join our Pet Health Club to help spread the cost of veterinary care.

Allergies

Allergy is one of the top reasons for visits to vets. Dogs greatly outnumber cats in this area. Seasonal allergy is most common, but year round sneezing, itching and scratching is becoming more of a problem. Often allergy conditions are related to two main factors, poor diets and flea infestation. Environmental allergens such as pollen, mould, and house dust mites are also frequent causes of allergy.

Food allergy is common. A pet can be sensitive to one or more ingredients in their food. A food trial is the only method to determine a food allergy. Call us for an appointment for a health check for your pet.

Anal gland problems

Sometimes these glands can become blocked. Your dog may start to drag their bottom along the ground in an effort to clear them. Sometimes a trip to the surgery is required for us to express these glands for your pet. Anal gland problems can be linked to dietary problems. There are a number of preventative measures or treatments. Call us for an appointment if you think your pet has anal gland problems.

Bad breath

Bad breath is not normal in pets, and the number one reason is dental disease. Pets don't tend to get cavities like we do; they suffer mainly from periodontal disease, plaque and calculus.This calculus invades the gums opening them up to food and bacteria. These bacteria can gain entrance to the blood system and thus travel around the body to other organs, most notably the liver, kidney and heart valves and can cause serious health problems. Call us for an appointment to check your pet's teeth and gums.

Ear problems

Symptoms of ear problems are shaking the head, and scratching at the ears. There may be an odour and a discharge or redness of the ear flap or entrance to the ear canal. Your pet may be tilting their head to one side, although there are causes for this other than ear disease.

The causes of ear disorders may be due to infection, allergy, foreign bodies or tumors. Environmental allergens such as pollen, moulds, and house dust mites and food allergies can be a common cause. Infections can be due to ear mites, bacteria or yeast. Yeast infections are by far the most common, accounting for an estimated 75% of cases in dogs. Bacterial infection causes about 20% of ear infections, and ear mites about 5% (or less) of cases in dogs. Some bacterial infections can perforate the eardrum so seek help straight away.

Occasionally a foreign body can make its way into the ear canal and cause irritation or even perforate the eardrum. Anaesthesia may be needed to remove the object. Tumors are rare, but may develop in the ear canal and cause a blockage. Surgery may be needed to remove the mass. Call us for an appointment to have your pet's ears checked.