Obesity

• Contributes to arthritis, diabetes, breathing difficulties, cancer, heat stress, and grooming difficulties (especially cats and rabbits).
• Diet plays the major role
• Exercise plays a very minor role

Skin conditions, including ears

• Allergies are very common
• Caused by insects, diet and substances in the environment
• Contribute to scratching, hair loss, body odour and skin infections
• Rarely can be cured but can work on control
• Major cause of ear disease
• Swellings can be anywhere. Some can spread (malignant cancers), while others don’t (benign cancers, cysts and infections). Often, a biopsy is necessary to diagnose which type is present.

Dental

• Teeth in the wrong place
• Baby (primary) teeth not falling out
• Build-up of calculus and plaque on the teeth, causing gum disease and bad breath

Arthritis

• Affects almost all pets at some time
• Painful and reduces movement
• Obesity a major cause
• Can improve with medication, diet and sometimes surgery

Kidney disease

• Very common, especially in cats
• Watch for increased thirst, reduced appetite, vomiting and diarrhoea
• Regular urine testing is worthwhile
• Early treatment helps to prevent major loss of kidney cells

Vomiting in cats

• Often thought of as ‘normal’
• Skin conditions, including ears