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Wolbachia spp
Research on Wolbachia has caused a paradigm shift in the understanding of etiology, pathogenicity and treatment for feline heartworm disease. Wolbachia are a Gram-negative proteobacteria (haemoplasmas) commonly found in the reproductive tract of insects and worms. Closely related to Ehrlichia spp and Anaplasma spp, they are mainly known for disrupting the reproductive biology of their […]
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Chronic renal disease
Chronic renal disease (CRD) is one of the most common diseases seen in older cats, reportedly affecting one in three cats over the age of 12 years[1][2]. Chronic renal disease can appear as acute renal failure or as an insidious chronic renal insufficiency, which is more common. Many cases are associated with age-related chronic interstitial […]
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Pyometra
Pyometra, where the uterus becomes engorged with pus, is a common disease of breeding queens. In breeding Queens, pyometra is commonly cause by retrograde migration of vaginally-acquired E. coli and Streptococcus spp infections[1]. Pyometra appears to be triggered by hormonal changes post-coitus, when failure to conceive results in excessive progesterone levels, resulting in cystic endometrial […]
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Streptococcal infection
Streptococcus spp bacteria are a common commensal bacteria of mucous membranes of cats. Important clinical pathogens in cats include: Streptococcus canis Streptococcus equi sub zooepidemicus Streptococcus suis Most Streptococci are non-pathogenic, but a few species can cause significant morbidity and mortality ranging from death in young kittens, to pyometra and respiratory disease such as pneumonia[1]. […]
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The Five Freedoms
With respect to feline therapies and quality of life, there are a number of ethical principles that constitute the foundation for all treatment considerations. The first of these principles is the most important one, namely that the needs of the cat must always come first. The next principle is an ancient medical principle: above all, do no harm. […]
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Veterinary Ethics
It is a self-evident truth that wherever there is consciousness, there is some degree of suffering, whether that pain be physical or psychological[1]. Consequently, the study of ethics is an examination of the rights and welfare of all living things which possess consciousness. Pertinent to this arena of veterinary medicine, ethics deals with an ethical code that is the […]
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Motivating factors
The majority of veterinarians choose their professional vocation because of an inherent desire to help animals. And, not surprisingly, that lifelong choice is made well before adolescence, and often by the time they are 13 years[1]. For a minority, the decision is rarely so simple, lucid or arbitrary. They arrive at this decision after years […]
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Quality and quantity
We live in an age of quantity. The media shapes us with the notion that larger, faster, and more are often synonymous with better. We are told that we need to find more time, more possessions, and more love to be truly happy. A smaller quantity of anything that is high in quality will almost […]
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Compassion fatigue
Because of their exposure to long work hours and workloads, health practitioners are at an increased risk of being personally influenced by their work. Few enter the veterinary profession thinking they might pay dearly for their care of animals. They usually come with strong beliefs in such ideals as the decency of people, the conviction […]
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Veterinary Oath
The Veterinarian Oath: Being admitted to the profession of veterinary medicine, I solemnly swear to use my scientific knowledge and skills for the benefit of society through the protection of animal health, and to adhere to a code of conduct that ensures the relief of animal suffering, the conservation of animal resources, the promotion of public health, and […]