This is most likely to be infection. Young pugs can suffer from pimples or blackheads on the chin and genital area. Usually this occurs in dogs 3-12 months of age and disappear with age. Folliculitis is infection of the hair follicle. It will appear as a pimple with a hair shaft emerging from the pimple. … Read more

You should withhold all food for 24 hours. Make sure plenty of clean fresh water is available as vomiting can rapidly cause dehydration. If your animal is showing signs of illness like lethargy, depression or fever, or the vomiting is severe or very frequent you should take him or her to the vet. After 24 … Read more

You may treat minor wounds at home.  You should regularly clean it with an antiseptic, Betadine is one option.  The only lotion or cream I would recommend is Solugel Wound Care Gel (different to Solugel for acne treatment which contains benzoyl peroxide).  You may apply a non adherent dressing over the top to protect the … Read more

This could be a primary respiratory problem like an infection, chronic bronchitis, allergies, cancer, kennel cough, or a collapsed trachea, or it could be cardiogenic.  Cardiac causes include heartworm disease and chronic heart failure.  Any of these causes if left untreated can lead to serious complications and permanent damage.  The next step is to go … Read more

Blood in the stool can be caused by a number of different things including worms, infection with bacteria or viruses, or trauma.  There are many other causes which are much less likely in such a young dog.  I would recommend contacting your vet before the condition worsens.  If your pup is showing signs of illness … Read more

It is not possible to treat this at home.  Eye conditions are potentially serious and should be examined by a vet.  Blindness is not an uncommon outcome when animals do not receive proper treatment.  The white film could be discharge.  This may be caused by infection, lack of tear production, the presence of a foreign … Read more

Kidney failure is a progressive disease.  Most dogs don't show any signs until there is a loss of at least 75% of function.  Treatment is aimed at slowing the progression of the disease and making your animal as comfortable as possible.  Treatment plans should be customised based on the severity of the condition, the cause, … Read more

Allergies occur when the immune system overreacts to a stimulus.  There are 4 types of hypersensitivity reactions.  Type I is immediate and severe.  This is usually the reaction dogs get to bee stings, drugs, inhaled antigens like pollens and flea bites.  In Type II hypersensitivity, antibodies form to the body's own proteins and occurs with … Read more

Breathing difficulties are an emergency.  Your cat needs to be examined by a veterinarian as soon as possible.  If your animal cannot get enough oxygen to its tissues, permanent damage can result.  Causes can include infection, heart failure, fluid in the lungs or chest cavity, tumours pressing on the airways, obstructions and trauma.  

This could be a cancer or an insect bite, but the most common types of lumps and bumps that are seen in rats are cysts and abscesses.  These are particularly common in hairless rats.  Sebaceous cysts are formed when a hair follicle becomes blocked with dirt, skin cells or excess oil and sebum, pus and … Read more

Many skin disorders have a similar presentation and it is not possible to say what is causing these signs without doing diagnostic tests. Causes including inhaled allergies, contact allergies, food allergies, infection with bacteria or fungus, autoimmune disease, and external parasites. You will need to visit your vet to start the process of investigation. Tests … Read more

At 3 weeks, your kitten should be still getting all it's food requirements from the mother's milk.  After nursing, the mother licks and cleans the kitten's rear ends.  This stimulates the kitten to pee and poop.  If the mother is not doing this the kittens may become constipated.  You can mimic this action by using … Read more

Your dog needs to be examined by a veterinarian as soon as possible.  I am concerned your dog has a serious cardiac or respiratory condition.  Some panting and exhaustion is normal in heat or after exercise but prolonged heavy or laboured breathing and lethargy is a sign your dog is not getting enough oxygen to … Read more

This could be a number of things including a wart, an infection, a cyst, an allergic reaction, or any number of benign or malignant growths.  The physical appearance can give some idea Your veterinarian will do a fine needle aspirate by using a syringe and needle to suck a sample out of the lump.  The … Read more

Visine contains a vasoconstrictor which constricts the superficial blood vessels of the eye.  It reduces redness temporarily.  If your dog has red eyes it could be a symptom of a serious underlying ocular condition and should be evaluated by a veterinarian.  Use of visine could mask these signs or even exacerbate the condition.

Female dogs will have their first heat anywhere from 6-12 months of age.  However, you should never breed from dogs in their first heat.  Ideally the minimum age for breeding is 2 years.  This is to assure that she is fully developed mentally … Read more

It is true you should never breed from dogs in their first heat.  However, ideally the minimum age for breeding is 2 years.  This is to assure that she is fully developed mentally and physically and any genetic defects she may pass onto her offspring have had time to surface.  Breeding under 2 years increases … Read more

Hypothermia can be caused by prolonged exposure to cold temperatures, impaired ability to control body temperature (very young, aged or compromised dogs) or the presence of certain illnesses like hypothyroidism.  Newborn pups are not able to properly control their body temperature and will become hypothermic without an external heat source.  The normal temperature of an … Read more

You should contact your vet as soon as possible.  This could be a problem primarily with the gastrointestinal system, which is causing you dog to feel unwell and weak in the legs, or it could be a problem primarily with her walking.  This might be caused by pain, arthritis, neurological problems, weakness, or systemic illness … Read more

The snail itself would ordinarily not cause vomiting.  Perhaps your pup has been getting into other things as well.  The consumption of uncooked freshwater animals like snails and slugs can lead to infection with certain parasites like Angiostrongylus and Clonorchis.  Angiostrongylus can invade the nervous system and cause meningitis, Clonorchis can invade the bile ducts … Read more