Library
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Diarrhoea is not a disease in itself but rather a sign which may reflect many different problems, some of which involve specific diseases while others may be related more to management factors, such as diet. Many cases of diarrhoea will respond quite readily to simple treatment, frequently without the initial cause ever being established. If diarrhoea is chronic, your veterinary surgeon may require further investigations.
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Muscle (called smooth muscle) and fibrous connective tissues form the framework (stroma) that holds other tissues together in the organs of the body. A number of different tumours can develop from the cells of these tissues.
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Systematic desensitisation is a behavioural modification method used to reduce an animal's emotional response to a given object or situation.
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Infections of the external ear canal (outer ear) by bacteria or yeast are common in dogs but not very common in cats. This type of infection is called otitis externa. A cat with an ear infection is uncomfortable and its ear canals are sensitive. The vet may examine the ear canal with an otoscope. The results of the otoscopic examination and cytology tell the vet what to do.
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The ear mite (Otodectes cynotis) is a surface mite that lives on cats, dogs, rabbits and ferrets. It is usually found in the ear canal but it can also live on the skin surface.
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These tumours are polyp-like growths with a narrow base or a stalk. Some are nodular overgrowths secondary to inflammation but others are benign or malignant cancers of the glands found in this area.
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Albumin is an important protein found in the bloodstream. It is not normally present in the urine of healthy dogs and cats. Microalbuminuria refers to the presence of small quantities of albumin in the urine.
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Tumours of the cortex of the adrenal glands may be overgrowths (hyperplasias) or benign (non-spreading) or malignant (spreading) cancers. Usually they are producing hormones that will have secondary clinical effects elsewhere in the body.
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Tumours of the medulla of the adrenal glands may be hyperplasias (non-cancerous cell overgrowths) or be cancerous. Few are diagnosed until late in the disease because, unlike tumours of the adrenal cortex, medullary tumours do not produce clinical signs.
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Today many forms of epilepsy in our pets can be successfully controlled by the use of anticonvulsant drugs. These are often needed for long periods of time, usually for life and can have side effects.