Pet Health Library
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Obesity, defined as an excess of body weight of 20% or more, is the most common nutritional disease of domestic cats. Although the frequency varies from one country to the next, we know in some countries that up to 40% of adult cats are obese!
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An oesophagostomy tube is a small flexible tube that enters the oesophagus or gullet via a small incision through the skin of the neck. Food is thus able to be delivered to the stomach bypassing the mouth and pharynx.
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A wound is an injury causing damage to the skin and often underlying tissues. It can be open (e.g. a cut) or closed (e.g. a bruise).
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Wherever possible a wound will be closed and sutured in order to hasten healing. However if there is gross contamination or deep infection these wounds are left open, with treatment, to ensure drainage.
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An epulis (plural epuli) is the clinical name for a swelling on the gums. Several different tumours share this name, often of different origins including the tooth-socket lining and lining epithelium of the mouth.
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Oral fibrosarcomas are rapidly growing, malignant tumours originating from the fibrous connective tissue of the mouth. The tumours are rarely cured by surgical removal.
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Oral melanoma (malignant melanoma or melanosarcoma) is a tumour of melanin pigment producing cells (melanocytes). The cancers are rapidly growing and unfortunately are rarely completely cured by surgical removal.
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Oral papillomas are benign tumours of the epithelial lining of the mouth and throat caused by papillomaviruses. The viruses are specific for that species of animal and fairly site specific but can be transmitted to skin or eyes if the protective outer epithelium is damaged.
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Squamous cell carcinomas are malignant cancers originating from the lining cells of the mouth. They are locally invasive and often recurrent.
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Bilateral orchidectomy or castration, neuters or desexes the dog. Orchidectomy may also be performed for the treatment of testicular tumours and sometimes infections involving the prostate gland.