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• Kidney Disease - What Are the Diagnostic Tests?

  In addition to removing soluble waste products from the body, the kidneys help to regulate water balance and also produce erythropoietin, a hormone which controls red blood cell production in the bone marrow. With kidney disease erythropoietin production is often decreased which can result in chronic anaemia.

• Kitten Socialisation and Habituation

  Socialisation is the process by which the kitten learns about its own identity, the identity of its own species and the identity of the other species with which it will share its life. Appropriate socialisation enables the kitten to go on to develop relationships with other living beings in its environment.

• Lack of Blood Platelets - Thrombocytopaenia

  This term indicates there is a decrease in the number of circulating blood platelets thus impairing blood clotting.

• Lameness

  Your dog is described as being lame if he is incapable of normal movement. The commonest causes are pain in the joint, its supporting structure or instability in the joint.

• Laryngeal Paralysis

  Laryngeal paralysis is probably more common than generally recognised. It affects middle aged and older dogs, usually of medium and large size.

• Lead Restraints and Harnesses for Dogs

  There are many methods of restraining a dog on a lead; from collars to head halters and "one size (or type) does not fit all".

• Leishmaniasis

  This is a disease caused by a protozoan (single celled) parasite found in dogs and certain rodents in many part of the world. Thankfully the disease is exotic to Australia (foreign) and our isolation and quarantine have afforded us protection from this disease. A type of tick, Rhipicephalus sanguineus is widespread in Australia and this may act as a vector for the disease if it gains entry to our shores.

• Lens Luxation

  The lens is the transparent structure within the eye which assists focusing. In some dogs, particularly the terrier breeds, the ligaments can break down allowing the lens to dislocate from its normal position.

• Leptospirosis

  Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease of dogs that can affect the blood, liver, or kidneys. It is caused by bacteria that are spiral shaped.

• Levothyroxine/Thyroxine

  Levothyroxine (also called Thyroxine) is used to treat low thyroid levels. This medication belongs to the general group of medicines called hormones.