Pet Health Library
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Cysts are hollow spaces containing liquid or solidified secretion. A few cysts form within cancers but only non-cancerous cysts are considered here.
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Cytology is the microscopic examination of cells collected from the body. By examining the appearance of these cells including their numbers, size, shape, colour and internal characteristics, this can often lead to a diagnosis.
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Dental disease is one of the most frequent ailments seen by veterinarians, and can be found to some degree in the majority of cats over two years of age.
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Diabetes mellitus (DM or sugar diabetes) is often a disease of overweight, middle aged animals. The classical signs are weight loss, increased appetite, increased thirst and increased urination.
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Diabetes mellitus refers to a medical condition where there is an excessive quantity of sugar (glucose) in the blood. This is caused by a relative or absolute deficiency of the hormone insulin, which is secreted by the pancreas.
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Jaundice (icterus) is a condition characterised by an accumulation of bilirubin (a bile pigment) in the skin, mucous membranes, and sclera (whites of the eyes) causing them to appear yellow.
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Diarrhoea and vomiting in our pets are common, non-specific signs and can be due to many different diseases and conditions.
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Diarrhoea is not a disease in itself but rather a sign which may reflect many different problems, some of which involve specific diseases while others may be related more to management factors, such as diet. Many cases of diarrhoea will respond quite readily to simple treatment, frequently without the initial cause ever being established. If diarrhoea is chronic, your veterinary surgeon may require further investigations.
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Muscle (called smooth muscle) and fibrous connective tissues form the framework (stroma) that holds other tissues together in the organs of the body. A number of different tumours can develop from the cells of these tissues.
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Infections of the external ear canal (outer ear) by bacteria or yeast are common in dogs but not very common in cats. This type of infection is called otitis externa. A cat with an ear infection is uncomfortable and its ear canals are sensitive. The vet may examine the ear canal with an otoscope. The results of the otoscopic examination and cytology tell the vet what to do.