Why does the RSPCA advocate desexing cats before puberty? Desexing cats before they can reproduce plays an integral role in reducing cat overpopulation and there are also many health...
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....
Should I have my pet desexed? Note: Desexing is the term generally used in Australia to refer to surgical sterilisation that permanently renders an animal incapable...
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...
How can I reduce the health risks for children interacting with companion animals? Interacting with companion animals can have many physical and mental health benefits for children and young people[1, 2]. However, there...
How do I tell if my dog is overweight? Obesity is a common health problems in Australian dogs. If not addressed early on obesity can lead to other serious health...
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 are common health problems in rabbits? The following is a list of the most common ailments and diseases that can affect your rabbit. It’s very important...
What is cat flu and how is it managed? Cat flu is a general term for a highly contagious upper airway disease that affects cats and kittens. This disease...
What are Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) and Feline Leukaemia Virus (FeLV)? Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) are retroviruses that attack the immune system, the same group of...
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 is myxomatosis and how do I protect my rabbit from it? Myxomatosis is caused by the myxoma virus, a poxvirus spread between rabbits by close contact and biting insects such as...
What can we do to help livestock that have been burnt by a fire? Bushfires are a common occurrence in the Australian landscape and sometimes, despite the best plans and preparation, horses, livestock and...
What are antimicrobials and why are they used in livestock production? Antimicrobials are agents that kill, or stop the growth of, microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites and protozoa. Antibiotics...
What is toxoplasmosis? Toxoplasmosis is a disease that can be transmitted from animals to humans (zoonosis). It is caused by the parasite Toxoplasma...
How do I keep my horse healthy? To answer this question we first need to know how a healthy horse looks and behaves. What are the signs...
When does my horse need to see the dentist? A vet or qualified equine dentist should be called in regularly to thoroughly examine and carry out any necessary work...
How do parasites affect my horse? The main parasites that horses can be afflicted by are ticks, lice, worms and bots. The three main ticks that...
Why is anaesthesia important for dog and cat dentistry? Dental disease is one of the most common conditions affecting companion animals; approximately 80% of cats and dogs over three...