Pet Corner

                                                                                                     On training dogs In these hard times, everybody is in the business of making a buck – some by dint of hard work, others by devious and odious means.

Firstly, there are many who argue that the liver is really a gland, since it secretes bile.

Continued Eating stool (Coprophagia) We have been writing a lot about constipation over the last two months.

Proctitis (‘sore bottom’ = irritation of the anus/rectum) In spite of TV shows, booklets and columns such as these, many pet owners still feed their wards incorrectly, and do not follow proven nutritional advice.

Anal gland (sac) disease Dogs and cats have two small glands/sacs on either side of the anal opening.

Over the last few weeks we have been discussing the major causes of constipation and the corresponding treatment regimes.

Continued Last week I suggested the use of an enema to help evacuate impacted faeces.

Continued Treatment Right at the outset, allow me to state clearly that this is one instance when you really don’t want the pet owner to try, on his/her own, to relieve the constipated animal.

Poor absorption of food Actually, this malady has a scientific name: malabsorption syndrome.

Continued We had mentioned last week what are the most probable causes of diarrhoea.

We have been discussing gastro-intestinal disorders and, consequently, we must mention diarrhoea.

Continued We are still on the theme describing any condition that could affect digestion in the animal.

Continued Last week, we dealt with causes and the symptoms associated with bloat.

I had mentioned in the Pet Corner of April 4, that an accumulation of hair in the stomach, over a period of time, could create a massive hair ball.

We have been discussing maladies associated with the digestive system over the last few weeks.

Continued Surely I should have found something less taxing and more frivolous to share with you on this good Easter Sunday morning.

Last week, I mentioned that stomach ailments, for example a gastritis episode, could cause vomiting.

Last week, we explained that vomiting was a symptom which reflected a more deep-seated ailment.

After having discussed the ailments associated with the oesophagus (that tube which connects the oral cavity with the stomach), the next step would be to zero in on stomach problems.

Well, dear readers, last week we concluded the huge topic associated with the ailments of the oral cavity.