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There are 4 basic types of allergies which pets suffer from. These are;

1. Inhalant or atopy; e.g. pollens, grasses, moulds, dust mites
2. Contact; e.g. wool, plastic, some grasses
3. Food; to particular proteins in food e.g. beef and chicken
4. Insects; flea allergy dermatitis.

All allergies cause varying degrees of itchiness, but the area affected can differ with each type of allergy. Atopy and food allergies generally cause feet chewing/licking, ear problems and face rubbing. Contact allergies tend to only affect thinly or non-haired areas e.g. under the abdomen or groin area. The most common type of insect allergy is flea allergy dermatitis. This predominantly affects the skin around the base of the tail and hind legs, though it can extend further if severely affected.

The method of diagnosis for each of these allergies differs. The clinical signs can mimic other skin diseases such as infection, mite infestation and auto-immune diseases. It is important to note that many allergic dogs and cats develop secondary skin infections and often it is necessary to clear up the infection to determine how much of the scratching remains and can be contributed to the allergy.

A visit to the vet is always the first step to allow them to examine your pet and develop some form of diagnostic or treatment plan.

Anal Glands, or more corectly Anal Sacs, are small inversions or pouches of skin that sit either side of the bottom or Dogs, Cats and Ferrets. They can become a problem from time to time and result in irritation, itching, rubbing or an unpleasant smell. If your pet has these signs,…

Separataion Anxiety Most dogs would prefer to have their owners around all day but adapt well to most situations if they receive sufficient exercise, playtime and attention. However, some dogs do not cope at all and this can be a real problem. Separation anxiety is a behavioural problem that…

The knee is a fairly complicated joint, as it is not a ball and socket joint like a hip. It is made up of the femur(thigh bone) above, the tibia(leg bone) below, the kneecap (or “patella”) in front, and the bean-like fabellae behind. Cartilage called the medial and lateral menisci fit between…

This is a condition seen mainly in dogs. It is brought on by excessive amounts of cortisone circulating within the body. Symptoms Dogs with Cushing’s disease can show a wide variety of symptoms such as… • Excessive drinking • Excessive hunger • Pot bellied…

Dogs and Cats do best when eating a meat based diet and have teeth that have evolved to help them hunt and eat meat.   In order to eat well, they need to be able to eat in comfort.  Also, the mouth is one of the few barriers where the body is open to infection or…

Desexing your dog will make him or her a better pet, and on average will increase their life span, because: They will suffer from fewer diseases (prostate disease, mammary cancer, uterine infections). There will be no unwanted puppies They will be cleaner…

What is Epilepsy? It is a periodic disease which is characterised by seizures (convulsions) with partial or complete loss of consciousness. Idiopathic epilepsy (of unknown cause) is the most common type seen in pets. What are the signs? Attacks usually commence without any…

Guinea pigs or Cavies are small rodents species originating from South America. They can make fantastic pets due to their small size, ease of care and quiet nature. There are several breeds available in Western Australia from the simple short haired varieties to some long and quite crazy hair…

Sometimes Cats and Dogs can be really challenging to medicate. Giving a Pill can be just like starting World War 3! With Dogs, it sometimes helps to flavour or coat the Pill in something tasty that your Dog really likes. Cheese and Peanut Butter are really popular options, or…

This is a condition seen mainly in dogs. It is brought on by excessive amounts of cortisone circulating within the body. Symptoms Dogs with Cushing’s disease can show a wide variety of symptoms such as… • Excessive drinking • Excessive hunger • Pot bellied…

The thyroid glands are located in the neck on either side of the windpipe. They act like the choke throttle in a car where they control the rate of the body’s metabolism. If they are inactive (hypo-thyroidism), pets are lazy, over weight, have skin problems and greasy coats. Hyper-active… Read more…

Congratulations if you have just got a new kitten! It  will be the beginning of a playful, loving adventure with your new friend. There are several things you need to know about owning a new kitten which we hope this handout will help you with. If there are any further…

If it should be, that I grow frail and weak, And pain should keep me from my sleep, Then you must do what must be done, For this, the last battle can’t be won….

Patella is the medical term for the kneecap. The medical term “patellar luxation” refers to “dislocation of the kneecap”. The kneecap is simply a small bone located on the underside of the tendon of the quadriceps muscle. The condition of patellar luxation is quite common, particularly the…

Pancreatitis is an inflammatory disease of the pancreas, which is the abdominal organ lying next to the small intestine, stomach and liver, which produces digestive enzymes. Pancreatitis has a number of possible causes, including, 1. Nutrition – a high fat diet and especially feasting…

If you have just got yourself a new puppy, congratulations! You can now look forward to an amazing and fulfilling relationship with your new pet. This is a brief outline of some important things to consider in the first few months of having a new pup. We recommend vaccination against…

Rabbits can make fantastic pets however they do have a few special needs that need to be met to enable them to live a long healthy life. VITAL STATISTICS Life expectancy 6-14years Adult body weight: 2-6 kgs Breeding age: 4-10…

Seizures What are the signs? Seizures usually commence without any warning, the pet falls to the ground, then undergoes a series of muscular jerks. There is extension (stiffening) of the limbs, followed by paddling and chewing movements. The eyes are fixed and staring. Loss of…

Separataion Anxiety Most dogs would prefer to have their owners around all day but adapt well to most situations if they receive sufficient exercise, playtime and attention. However, some dogs do not cope at all and this can be a real problem. Separation anxiety is a behavioural problem that…

Perth’s beautifu l bushland corridors and lakes provide a haven for all wildlife including snakes. Perth snakes tend to be shy Dugites, Gwardars and Tiger snakes and prefer to avoid confrontation, however when attacked, bitten, chased or disturbed by an inquisitive dog and cat they can inflict a…