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Articles, questions and guides on pet care.
Obesity in Dogs
It is becoming more and more common for dogs to be overweight. You may not worry if your dog is a little round, but even being slightly overweight can affect a dog's health, and even shorten its…
Obesity in Cats
More and more cats are developing obesity. A cat is considered overweight if it weighs over 20% more than its ideal body weight. If it weighs more than 20% above its ideal weight, it is classified…
Help! My cat pees in the wrong place, what should I do?
It is a relatively common problem that a cat who has always used a litter tray can suddenly start to urinate on the bed, the carpet or other inappropriate place. Unfortunately, it can be difficult…
Which mushrooms are dangerous to dogs?
Read our article to know more about how to recognise dangerous mushrooms, which signs they can cause if eaten by dogs and how to act in case of suspected poisoning.
7 things that are dangerous for your pet in the Autumn
Autumn is a wonderful season, both for humans and animals. Many people want to be out in the fresh air, but the bright days get shorter and it gets darker outside faster. Remember that unlit…
How to prepare your dog for fireworks with training
Many dogs are afraid of fireworks – and why wouldn’t they be! Unfortunately, firework displays aren’t limited to 5th November, so it’s best to be prepared at any time from October through New Year’s…
6 important winter tips for horse owners
When it is cold and snowing, there are some important things to keep in mind in the stable and when handling horses. Here we share some useful tips and advice for horse owners this winter!
Feeding your dog or cat a raw food diet - What do you need to consider?
Are you thinking of feeding your dog a raw diet? Read our article to find out all you need to know about raw feeding your dog a raw meat-based diet to help you make an informed decision. Similar…
What are digestive support diets for dogs and cats and when to use them
If your pet has tummy trouble, changing their food can help their stomach get better. But what should you feed? Read our article to understand what digestive support foods are and how to use them.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) in cats
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most common form of heart disease in cats. Here we describe the signs to look for and what to do if you have concerns about your cat.
Tips for cats with urinary disease or kidney issues
The vet who manages your pet’s case is always the best person to advise you about the treatment plan. However, for all cats, increasing their water intake and trying to reduce their stress levels…
Help! My dog is eating poo
Coprophagia is the medical term for eating poo. Although an unpleasant behaviour, eating faeces is a problem behaviour we see in both puppies and adult dogs. It mostly occurs in puppies and young…
Why do cats hunt and how to reduce it?
Cats are predators and as such are instinctive hunters. Domestic cats have retained the same hunting instincts as their wild relatives; we can see this when they chase and pounce on a toy. They…
Breathing problems in cats
Breathing difficulties (dyspnoea) are a relatively common emergency in cats. There are several reasons why your cat may experience difficulty breathing and any age of cat can be affected. Breathing…
Is my dog too fat or too skinny? A guide to body condition scoring in dogs
Have you ever wondered if your pet needs feeding up, or if you need to cut out the treats? When vets assess your dog’s weight they are not just looking at the number on the scales but also assessing…
Are acorns dangerous for dogs?
Nice warm weather during autumn encourages us to go for a walk with our dog. The autumn feeling is very familiar: fallen leaves in a riot of colours, shiny conkers and a flood of acorns. Curious…
Conker poisoning in dogs
Conkers are the seed of the horse chestnut nut tree, a very common species in the UK, which are found lying on the ground in the autumn time. Similar to acorns, curious dogs may pick up conkers to…
Disease surveillance in pets
I work as a clinical pathologist and veterinary investigations officer when I am not on shift with FirstVet. My job involves all aspects of disease surveillance such as; identification of disease,…
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