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  • False pregnancy (also known as pseudocyesis, phantom pregnancy or pseudopregnancy) is the term used to describe the condition whereby a non-pregnant dog undergoes bodily and behavioural changes similar to those you that would expect if she was pregnant.

  • Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) is commonly called dry eye. This is a very apt name since the condition results from lack of proper tear production so that the eye has a dry and sore appearance.

  • 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.

  • The ear mite (Otodectes cynotis) is a surface mite that lives on cats, dogs, rabbits and ferrets. It is usually found in the ear canal but it can also live on the skin surface.

  • These tumours are polyp-like growths with a narrow base or a stalk. Some are nodular overgrowths secondary to inflammation but others are benign or malignant cancers of the glands found in this area.

  • This disease is caused by a microsporidian protozoan parasite, Encephalitozoon cuniculi. It is an intracellular parasite that preferentially colonises the kidneys, eyes and brain.

  • Tumours of the cortex of the adrenal glands may be overgrowths (hyperplasias) or benign (non-spreading) or malignant (spreading) cancers. Usually they are producing hormones that will have secondary clinical effects elsewhere in the body.

  • Tumours of the medulla of the adrenal glands may be hyperplasias (non-cancerous cell overgrowths) or be cancerous. Few are diagnosed until late in the disease because, unlike tumours of the adrenal cortex, medullary tumours do not produce clinical signs.

  • Epilepsy refers to a condition resulting in recurrent fits or seizures (convulsions) which arise from a non-progressive brain disorder.

  • Today many forms of epilepsy in our pets can be successfully controlled by the use of anticonvulsant drugs. These are often needed for long periods of time, usually for life and can have side effects.