Antibody Anybody? The clever folk at Zoetis [nee Pfizer] have developed a safe new therapy for chronically itchy or atopic dogs. Cytopoint is a monoclonal antibody given as a subcutaneous injection which reduces itchiness within 8 hours and lasts 30 days. It can be repeated monthly. Monoclonal Whatabody? Monoclonal antibodies are developed in a lab […]
The Mutant Virus that Refuses to Die Despite decades of attempted eradication, veterinarians to this day still struggle with the severe disease caused by parvovirus in dogs and cats. Parvoviruses, unlike most viruses, survive amazingly well in the outside environment and are highly resistant to disinfection. Virus particles in soil can remain “infective” for up […]
The Cat Conundrum Unlike dogs or people our feline friends are not socially obligate. This doesn’t mean that they cannot form significant relationships with other cats, people or dogs, rather that they don’t necessarily need them to survive and that they readily adapt to a solitary lifestyle. Choose the right kitten The main socialisation period […]
Change is Hard! Change is hard for everyone but seasonal climatic changes can be particularly tough on certain pets. Going into winter months we tend to see a spike in arthritic pets presenting for lameness and coming into the warmer summer months, as we are now, we frequently see problems with our older cats and […]
Ticks, People and Allergies Whilst our focus is the prevention and treatment of paralysis tick affected pets, did you know that paralysis ticks can induce life threatening anaphylaxis in people either by themselves or via an induced red meat allergy? Interestingly both of these may be easily prevented by killing the tick at the attachment […]
Fear is a Powerful Motivator Mediated by a small almond shaped structure deep within the brain called the amygdala, threatened animals have an almost instantaneous surge in heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate and metabolism. This so called “fight or flight reflex” is the subjective state of fear and dysregulation of this “fear pathway” […]
Hey Stinky Breath! Bad breath or halitosis can be embarrassing for both people and pets. 80-90% of halitosis comes from structures within the mouth, primarily teeth and tongue, where bacteria produce over 80 different volatile or “stinky” organic compounds. These same bacteria cause plaque which is the trigger for tartar and calculus formation which leads […]
My brother and sister-in-law are moving to San Francisco and their old Burmese cat CJ has come to Airlie to stay. Like any older animal he has his fair share of health issues brought on by wear and tear or genetic factors inherited from his parents. He has, in no official order, megacolon (an enlarged […]
