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189 results for “hereditary”
Understanding Kidney Disease in Cats
Cats are built to conserve water, so chronic kidney disease is nearly universal in older cats and a leading cause of illness. Watch for early signs like increased drinking and urination, keep water and wet food available, and catch problems early with routine blood and urine tests.
Why Do Dogs Tear Up So Much?
Frequent tearing and stains in dogs come from many causes, hereditary overproduction, entropion, diet, inflamed tear glands, ear infections, or short-nosed breeds. Most are manageable once the underlying cause is found, so watch your dog closely and see a vet when home care is not enough.
Cats for Busy Professionals: How to Make It Work
A full-time job is no barrier to a happy cat — pick a resilient mixed-breed (or adopt), and if your hours are long, take home two littermates so they keep each other company through the day. Adults need less hands-on care than kittens, and a neutered male is typically the calmest, cuddliest companion.
Common Dog Paw Problems and How to Treat Them
A dog's paw is a complex, useful structure — shock absorption, sweating, warmth, digging, self-defense — but its many folds and hairs trap debris, so it easily reddens, inflames, sheds fur, or even ulcers and oozes. The main paw troubles are injuries from sharp objects, cracked pads, bacterial or fungal infection, and eczema. Trim nails, wipe paws after walks, and see a vet for deep or infected wounds.
Is Canine Hip Dysplasia a Joint Disorder?
Hip dysplasia is a hereditary condition where the socket and ball of the joint no longer fit and move together properly. Affected dogs limp, bunny-hop, rise slowly, and struggle with stairs; large breeds often show clear signs by age four or five. Manage it with early screening, limited exercise, and keeping the joint warm and dry.
Why Does My Dog Have Wrinkles on Its Face?
Facial wrinkles can be normal breed traits (Shar-Pei, French and English Bulldogs) or a sign of skin trouble. They trap bacteria—especially in summer—so clean them every 2–3 days: clear eye discharge first, then rinse and disinfect the folds with a pet-safe cleanser.
What Color Belgian Malinois Is Most Authentic?
The Belgian Malinois is valued worldwide as a working and family dog, with black the rarest and priciest color since it needs both parents to carry the black gene. When picking a pup, check the parents' health records, the puppy's conformation and coat, littermates, and vaccination history.
What to Do When Arthritis Makes a Dog Limp
Arthritis can strike any aging dog and, left untreated, leads to limping and lameness. Manage it with rest and warmth, vet-guided medication and joint supplements, and careful weight and exercise control — and watch for early signs like stiffness and swelling before lameness sets in.
Why Are White Dogs Prone to Deafness?
Not all white dogs are born deaf - this hereditary deafness appears in 85 breeds, but any all-white dog is more at risk. So what is deafness?
What to Do About Your Dog’s Dry, Cracked Nose and Paws
You may notice hard, thick, dry calluses on many dogs' noses and paws. This is called hyperkeratosis.