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....
Why should I have my pet desexed? Desexing is an effective strategy to prevent unwanted pregnancies. The RSPCA receives over 125,000 animals every year and many of...
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...
Is it safe to have a cat around my children? What diseases can children catch from a cat? Most cats tolerate children well, however always be cautious and avoid leaving your children alone with any animals. Even if your cat is...
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...
How do I keep my dog healthy? A healthy dog should be alert and responsive. Most dogs, except for elderly animals, will be energetic and have a...
I think my dog has arthritis, what can I do? Arthritis, also known as osteoarthritis or degenerative joint disease is a common problem in older dogs, but can also occur...
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 (FeLV) and how do I protect my cat from them? There are a number of feline viruses in Australia which can cause illness in cats. In addition to the three...
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...
Is calcium chloride used to desex male dogs and cats in Australia? Calcium chloride (Calchlorin®, CaClCa) can be used as a non-surgical castration technique in male cats and dogs but is not...
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 zoonotic infection (acquired from animals) caused by the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii). It is thought...
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...