What do the terms inbreeding and linebreeding mean? What is inbreeding? Inbreeding is the mating of related individuals who have one or more ancestors in common [1]. Linebreeding...
How can I protect my dog or cat from tick paralysis? The paralysis tick, Ixodes holocyclus, causes tick paralysis. Tick paralysis is a serious and potentially fatal condition requiring urgent veterinary attention....
How can owners of dogs with exaggerated physical features help their pets? Owners of pet dogs with exaggerated physical features need to be fully aware of the specific health and welfare problems...
What can breeders do to avoid exaggerated physical features that compromise dog welfare? Every breeder has an important responsibility to ensure their dogs are able to live a healthy, happy and long life....
Do flying foxes pose a disease risk to my dog? There are two viral diseases affecting bats that can also infect dogs. These are Hendra virus and Lyssavirus. There have...
I think my dog has arthritis, what can I do? Arthritis (also known as osteoarthritis or degenerative joint disease) is a common and serious animal health and welfare problem in...
Why does my dog’s breath smell? There are a number of reasons why a dog’s breath might smell, a condition also known as halitosis. Underlying illness,...
What is ringworm and how do I know if my companion animal has it? Ringworm is a fungal infection of the skin and hair. Ringworm spreads rapidly, and is zoonotic which means that it...
What are the risks to my cat or dog from rat bait? Rat baits are dangerous and potentially deadly to animals and people that consume them. The baits used are normally flavoured to...
What is Leptospirosis? Leptospirosis is a disease which can affect animals and humans, caused by infection with bacteria called Leptospira. Leptospirosis can cause...
How should I take care of my cat or dog’s teeth? Our pets need regular and consistent dental care to make sure their teeth stay healthy and functional for as long...
How can I minimise the impact of bushfire smoke on my animals? Bushfires can lead to persistent smoke and related air pollution and this can cause serious negative effects and health problems...
What is Ehrlichiosis? Ehrlichiosis is a disease primarily affecting dogs that is spread by the brown dog tick. This disease can be fatal...
What are my legal rights if I buy a sick or injured pet? Adopting or purchasing a new pet is a very exciting time for both owner and pet alike as it marks...
What vaccinations should my dog receive? Vaccinations are an important part of caring for your dog as they can prevent or reduce the severity of infectious...
What do I need to know about Brachycephalic dogs? We know that the human families of brachycephalic, or flat-faced, dogs love and cherish these animals. Unfortunately, the exaggerated physical...
Should I feed bones to my dog? Bones can provide dogs with nutrients and mental stimulation, plus remove tartar from the surface of their teeth. However, bones...
What is canine parvovirus? Canine parvovirus is a virus affecting dogs that attacks and damages tissues with rapidly dividing cells (such as the gastrointestinal...