Dr. Kristi Green’s Blog

Have you noticed your cat drinking more than usual? Increased thirst and urination can be the first sign of serious kidney problems in your cat. Sadly it is common for kidney function to progressively reduce as cats get older. Also known as renal failure, other signs...

While many of us may have a friend or family member with Diabetes Mellitus, it is less commonly known that dogs and cats can also develop this disease. Diabetes is associated with the poor production or uptake of the hormone insulin which controls blood sugar levels....

Fears and phobias are a prevalent behavior problem in our family pets. This distressing state can be brought on by different stimuli, with fireworks and thunderstorms the most common causes. Other phobias include being scared of visitors to the home or even going to...

Summer is a great time of year to spend more time with your pets and is also a busy time for vets seeing a range of summer related health problems. Our clinic has already treated several dogs with grass seeds lodged in their feet and ears. Removal may require surgery,...

Hyperthyroidism is a disease of cats, usually ten years of age or older, caused by excessive production of the thyroid hormone. The role of thyroid hormone in the body is to control metabolism and iodine storage. In cats it is typically a benign overactive thyroid...

Intervertebral disc disease in dogs is a degenerative process that can lead to serious back pain and even paralysis. Discs are like soft cushions located between each spinal vertebrae. Before a disc ruptures it becomes stiff or even calcified and then pushes up...

Spring is here and so is cat breeding season again. This means litters of abandoned kittens are sadly at risk of being euthanased by overcrowded shelters. It also means increased cat fights and spread of diseases such as Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). The answer...

Coping with the loss of a pet is the most difficult aspect of owning an animal and one of the hardest parts about being a vet and vet nurse. Recently our clinic has sadly said a final goodbye to several of our very special long term patients. This includes 15 year old...

Many lame dogs have more in common with AFL footballers than you would think! At the clinic we frequently examine dogs that are suddenly limping or sore in one of their back legs. Often the diagnosis made is a damaged anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in the knee...

Skin disease is such a prevalent problem in both dogs and cats and can often be very frustrating for the pet, their owner and the vet. Itchy skin can often be due to an underlying allergy with a secondary infection from the pets scratching and licking making the itch...

Urinary problems in cats can range from behavioural spraying to serious medical diseases including the commonly diagnosed Feline Urinary Syndrome (FUS). Signs of FUS include frequent straining to urinate, blood in the urine and urinating in strange places around the...

Seizuring is a disturbing but relatively common condition seen in pet dogs and only occasionally in cats. A seizure is extremely distressing for both pets and their owners and veterinary attention should be sought immediately.  Episodes may range from a few seconds of...

Canine parvovirus (CPV) is a life threatening gastrointestinal disease that continues to be prevalent in the dog population. There is a very effective vaccine that is given as a course to puppies and on a regular annual or triennial basis to adult dogs. Unfortunately...