Pet health

Fixing spinal injuries in dogs
A technique that helps heal spinal injuries in dogs may lead the way to future methods of preventing paralysis in humans who've suffered spinal damage.

Put your pet on a diet
An astonishing 30% of all South African pets, more than 2,5 million of them, are estimated to be overweight, according to recent statistics released by Hill's Pet Nutrition.

8 quick bird-care tips
Getting a pet bird is not a 'soft option' as far as pets are concerned. Maybe so, but there are essentials you have to remember about caring for your bird.

Your pet and the vet
It's vet time for your pet. Here's how to get it done with the minimum of fuss and stress.

When your pet's had surgery
Your beloved "Marmalade" has just been spayed, you've had her home for half an hour and already she's pulled out all her sutures. What do you do?

10 tips on caring for goldfish
Goldfish make perfect pets for first-time owners. They are resilient and easy to maintain and if cared for properly they could live very long.

Brush up on good health
It's not just people who should 'brush up' for the sake of good health. Research shows that 80% of dogs and 70% of cats already have signs of oral disease by age three.

'Obesity a form of abuse'
Obesity is the single biggest health issue facing domestic animals and can be regarded as a form of abuse.

Food not to feed your dog
Feeding you dog 'human food' may be detrimental to its health.

Water: your dog's life line
Besides oxygen, your dog's next requirement to stay alive is water. Clean, fresh water is probably the most important nutrient in your dog's diet.

Why do dogs eat grass?
All of us have seen our dogs happily grazing in our gardens, especially enjoying the uncut long grass on the edges.

Pet obesity a weighty problem
It's no surprise that as human obesity rates soar, man's best friend is loyally packing on the pounds as well.

Signs of illness in your dog
When your dog is ill, the sooner you intervene, the better. Here is some expert advice on what to watch out for to ensure your pet stays healthy.

Pet insurance: is it for you?
Pets are great, but boy they can be expensive when they get sick or injured. You've heard about pet insurance, but you're not sure sure what it entails. Here's a rundown.

Coughing pets
Coughing is very common during the winter months and can be due to many factors.

Fits in pets
Fits (also called seizures) are the result of uncontrolled neurological activity in the cerebral cortex area of the forebrain and there are numerous different causes.

Ear infection in pets
Ear infections are extremely common in dogs, cats, rabbits and other species. If untreated they can result in deafness or even brain disease.

Cats and mice
Cats are excellent hunters and even though they are fed more than enough food they will still instinctively stalk and kill rodents and other small animals.

Obesity in pets
Whether it's a lasagne-loving Garfield or a tubby spaniel, those extra kilos are bad for your pet. CyberVet gives us the bottomline on pet obesity.

Sterilising your pet
You should have your pet sterilised even it there is no chance of them breeding, it is beneficial to their health, and could also deter unwanted behaviour.

SPCA / Hill’s MuttWalk
The inaugural SPCA / Hill’s MuttWalk will take place on Sunday 25 March 2012 at 8am at the Field and Study Recreation Centre, Louise Avenue Parkmore, Sandton.

Toothy problems for pets
By the age of three, 80% of dogs and 70% of cats are likely to suffer from oral disease.

Fat man's fat furry friend
The old saying that owners tend to look like their dogs could be true as obesity has now been declared the biggest health problem for British canines.

Choose the right vet
If you're a pet owner new to an area, or have a pet for the first time, you're going to need to find a vet at some stage. Here's how to choose the right one.

Who is Health24's CyberVet?
Dr Angus Campbell is Health24's online CyberVet.

10 tips on caring for hamsters
Hamsters are lovable creatures that appear to be low maintenance. But how much do you really know about caring for these animals?

Kidney failure in pets
The recent and ongoing pet food scare has left pet owners shocked, angry and grief-stricken. Here's how to tell if your pet has renal failure and what you can do about it.

Pioneering nutrition eases pet pain
A balanced diet, rich in omega 3 fatty acid, can relieve painful joints in pets suffering from arthritis.

Don't kill your pet with kindness
If you are a pet owner you are probably also an animal lover – which means you take good care of your pet. Or do you?

Fido's menu
What you feed your dog is probably the most essential part of maintaining your dog's good health.

Why is my dog eating his own poop?
The habit of dogs eating their own or other dogs' faeces is called coprophagia.

Why is my dog not eating?
Most of the times when a dog loses his appetite, stops eating or is unable to eat, the reason is an underlying medical problem. In other cases it can be a behavioural problem.

Sterilisation only clinic for pets
The South African Mass Animal Sterilisation Trust recently announced the establishment of the first ever permanent "sterilisations only" animal clinic in South Africa.

Fun flea facts
Fleas are really bizarre creatures. Have a look at these fun facts about fleas.

Treatment of scabies on dogs
Scabies on dogs is also known as sarcoptic mange - CyberVet gives the basic treatment outline that your vet will follow to treat this condition.

Chocolate poisoning
Just like us, dogs and some cats find chocolate highly palatable but it is important to avoid giving too much.

Importance of exercising pet animals
Regular exercise is important to avoid illness and encourage normal behaviour patterns in most pet animals.

Giving human drugs to pets
You should never give a human drug to your pet animal unless your veterinarian advises you to do so.

Your ageing pet
Diagnosing and treating disease in old animals can be much more complex than treating disease in young animals.

Buying your first parrot
A question that many prospective parrot owners are faced with is whether to buy directly from a breeder or to take the "safe" option and buy from a pet shop.

FIV (feline immunodeficiency virus)
Although feline immunodeficiency virus is a serious disease, the symptoms can be managed. Find out more about this condition.