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| Critter care |
Submitted by Dr. Carolyn Walsh
Williams Lake Veterinary Hospital
Obesity has become an extremely important health problem, not just for humans but for dogs and cats as well. Obesity in pets is associated with joint problems, diabetes mellitus, respiratory compromise, and decreased life span; recent estimations suggest that up to 35% of dogs and cats suffer from obesity.
Health Consequences of Pet Obesity
Arthritis
The over-weight animal has extra unneeded stress on joints, including the discs of the vertebrae. This extra stress leads to the progression of joint degeneration and creates more pain. Weight management alone can decreases or even eliminate the need for arthritis medications. The problem is compounded as joint pain leads to poorer mobility, which in turn leads to greater obesity.
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| Critter care |
By Cheri Galatiuk
Veterinarian
Parvovirus is a small virus that can attack dogs of any age but most commonly puppies. Occasionally parvovirus infection can affect cats as well. Parvovirus is shed in the feces of infected dogs. These dogs (including wild dogs) could be showing signs of parvovirus or they also could be carriers of the virus and appear healthy.
Diabetes and your pet: don't let it scare you
| Critter care |
By Eileen Alberton
Veterinarian. Williams Lake Vet Clinic
Is your dog or cat drinking more water than usual, urinating more often, eating much more than usual and still losing weight? It could have diabetes.
Equine Infectious Anemia: ongoing issue in Chilcotin
| Critter care |
By Carolyn Walsh, veterinarian
In May 2012, four cases of Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) were confirmed in the Cariboo/Chilcotin as reported by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. Local veterinarians say that they are aware that it is an ongoing issue in the Chilcotin.
Water, weather and lifestyle: understanding colic
| Critter care |
By Sarah Eaton, DVM, DACT
The word ‘colic’ makes every horse owner worry. Colic is abdominal pain and in horses can be caused by mild cramping to twisting of the intestines. While some types of colic (such as twisted intestines) can occur with no known cause, many cases of colic are due to management problems or changes and therefore can be prevented.
Identifying your dog
| Critter care |
By Cheri Galatiuk, veterinarian
It’s travel season! Families are hitting the road with their dogs and a lot of dogs are hitting the road without their families. Identifying your dog is very important in in your dog’s successful return, in case you have the misfortune of being separated from him or her. Follow the following guidelines to ensure your dog is properly identified.
Laminitis in horses: how it happens and what to do
| Critter care |
By Sarah Eaton, DVM, DACT
Spring is here and with it comes the fresh green grass that horses love to over-eat on. While the grass looks pretty and is very delicious, it can be harmful to horses because of its high sugar content. When horses gorge on green grass they are prone to laminitis, also known as ‘founder’.
