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9 results for “joint tap”
Staphylococcal Infection (Staph) in Dogs and Cats: Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention
Staphylococcal disease is a group of acute or chronic infections caused mainly by Staphylococcus aureus and related species, presenting in many forms such as arthritis, tendosynovitis, pododermatitis, omphalitis, and staphylococcal septicemia. Staphylococcus intermedius is a key cause of canine pyoderma.
What to Do When Your Dog Is Limping
Lameness — reduced weight-bearing or movement in a limb — can range from mild to severe, affect one or more legs, and come and go. Causes span trauma to chronic arthritis. Here is how the vet evaluates and treats it.
Diagnosing Lameness in Dogs
Sudden lameness is often easier to trace — a normal dog that suddenly limps clearly had something happen. But chronic or subtle lameness takes a careful workup. A detailed history and orthopedic exam point the vet to the right tests.
Choosing the Best Dog Food for Senior Dogs (Age 7+)
Once a dog turns seven, its metabolism slows, digestion weakens, and organs such as the kidneys, heart, and liver begin to decline — so the right senior dog food matters more than ever. Look for a formula with at least 25% crude protein (30%+ is better), fat held between 8% and 15%, fiber under 9%, starch no higher than 32%, salt under 2%, and a calcium-to-phosphorus ratio of 1:1 to 2:1. Bonus nutrients like glucosamine, fish oil, and probiotics support aging joints, brains, and guts. Prefer wet food for dogs with poor teeth, transition gradually over seven days, and feed smaller meals. For dogs with heart, kidney, or diabetic conditions, a vet-guided prescription diet is safest.
Home’s Hinge-back Tortoise
The Home's Hinge-back Tortoise (Kinixys homeana) is a shy, high-difficulty African tortoise known for its hinged rear carapace and a 90-degree rear shell drop. It prefers warm, humid conditions with ample shade and a varied omnivorous diet, but is prone to stress-induced sudden death, so it is not recommended for beginners.
Exotic Shorthair
The Exotic Shorthair — everyone's "Garfield cat" — pairs the Persian's plush look with a short, easy-care coat. Sweet, calm, and affectionate, it's one of the most laid-back cat breeds to live with.
Suppurative Arthritis in Dogs and Cats: Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention
Suppurative arthritis is infection of a joint by pyogenic bacteria, either carried in the blood or introduced through a penetrating wound, causing hot, painful swelling, fever, and lameness. Prompt drainage and antibiotic therapy are essential to save the joint and prevent spread; untreated it can rupture through the skin.
Lumbar Sprain in Dogs and Cats: Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention
A lumbar sprain is injury to the lower-back muscles, ligaments, and spinal joints from sudden over-contraction or trauma, most common in small breeds and pets with rickets or nutritional deficiency. Signs range from a stiff arched back and weak hind limbs to, in severe cases, paralysis and loss of bowel or bladder control. Prompt rest and veterinary care prevent lasting nerve damage.
Tibial and Fibular Nerve Paralysis in Dogs and Cats
Tibial and fibular nerve paralysis impair normal hind-limb movement, causing an abnormal high-step or a knuckled, dragging paw, and eventually muscle wasting. Acupuncture and nutritional support aid recovery.