Most cases of diarrhoea in properly vaccinated dogs are trivial in health terms, but can be alarming and messy! However, some cases can be serious, particularly in dogs weakened by other illness or old age, of if they have not been vaccinated. Most cases in otherwise fit dogs will respond but more serious cases require more medication and perhaps intravenous fluids and hospitalisation. The bottom line is, if you are worried or if the diarrhoea lasts for more than a couple of days, a visit to the vet is in order.
In most cases diarrhoea occurs simply because the lower intestine has become inflamed - either because your dog ate something that didn't agree with him or because of infection. If the inflammation is deeper than just the gut surface then there may be blood in the diarrhoea (this is called dysentery) - this is a cause of worry for most owners, but is seldom as serious as it appears. One serious cause of diarrhoea is the infection Parvovirus which can be fatal - fortunately this is easily prevented with the vaccine that all dogs should be given annually.
For simple cases of diarrhoea it usually helps to put your dog on a bland diet of white meats, e.g. white fish (e.g. like cod, pollock or plaice, not mackerel, salmon or herring.) or chicken, together with boiled rice or pasta. This should be fed until the diarrhoea has ceased and the normal diet introduced gradually over a period of about three days. Follow the links to see our range of diarrhoea treatments and also to products which provide more bulk to the stools.
One effect of diarrhoea is that the 'good' (as opposed to disease-causing) bugs that normally inhabit the gut get a bit out of kilter, so after a bout of diarrhoea it's a good idea to give probiotics to help ensure that a normal intestinal flora is established for rapid return to full health and a more robust constitution - follow the 'intestinal recovery' link to see our range of gut conditioning products.
One of the more unusual causes of diarrhoea is a lack of the normal digestive enzymes produced by the pancreas gland. This condition prevents dogs from properly digesting their food and they tend to have permanent loose faeces and, because they get little goodness from their food, they are thin and look underfed. Fortunately it's an easily controlled condition (though it cannot be cured), with the missing enzymes simply added to the food on a daily basis - follow the 'Pancreatic Deficiency' link to see the range of these products available.
You should be aware that some of the bugs that can cause diarrhoea in dogs can also infect humans and cause illness, so it's important to observe hygiene precautions for you, your pet and your home when dealing with cases of diarrhoea.

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Straining to pass faeces may be a sign of constipation - but not always. Constipation can be caused by a number of things such as poor diet and lack of exercise, things which can be resolved through a change in how you look after your pet. Just as humans do, dogs need to have adequate roughage in their diet if they're to avoid constipation, and this can be achieved by feeding bulking agents.
Other causes of constipation include medical and surgical conditions which need veterinary attention, and this includes prostate enlargement in male dogs. Another cause of constipation is dogs chewing and eating bones, the small fragments of which become concreted in the large intestine and rectum; still another is painful anal glands which prevent the dog trying to pass faeces causing them to build up to become a constipated mass.
Because of the number of different causes of constipation it's wise to have your dog checked over by your vet if it's a recurring problem.
An important first question when an owner reports constipation is to check if the dog seen straining to pass faeces is actually constipated - because sometimes these dogs are in fact suffering from diarrhoea and they strain as if constipated merely because they have bowel irritation.

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Vomiting in dogs is much like the same human condition except that dogs can and do vomit much more readily. Dogs can vomit as part of their normal digestive function to get rid of the sort of things that humans wouldn't have eaten in the first place - so don't interpret a single episode of vomiting as necessarily indicative of a problem. If a dog vomits more than a couple of times it indicates there is a problem that needs attention - but as in the case of diarrhoea it is often just a symptom of mild inflammation of the digestive tract and will respond to a period of dietary rest, simple gut-protecting medications and unrestricted access to water (to replace fluids lost in the vomit). Vomiting has a lot in common with diarrhoea - it's the same process that's going on in the animal but just in a different place - higher up the digestive tract in vomiting, lower down in diarrhoea, and in both places if the dog has both conditions. And as is the case with diarrhoea, if vomiting persists for more than a couple of days, or if it is excessive, and if your dog is obviously unwell, then an urgent visit to your vet is called for. Some of the more important vomiting conditions we encounter in vet practice that require our urgent attention are dogs that swallow 'foreign bodies' (stones and/or balls usually) and dogs with infections such as parvovirus.
Simple cases of vomiting in otherwise healthy dogs usually respond to 24 hour starvation (but with constant access to water) followed by three or so days on a bland diet of white meats, e.g. white fish (e.g. like cod, pollock or plaice, not mackerel, salmon or herring.) or chicken, together with boiled rice or pasta, fed a little and often. This should be fed until the vomiting has ceased and the normal diet introduced gradually over a period of about three days.
One effect of repeated vomiting is that the 'good' (as opposed to disease-causing) bugs that normally inhabit the gut get a bit out of kilter, so after a bout of vomiting it's a good idea to give probiotics to help ensure that a normal intestinal flora is established for rapid return to full health and a more robust constitution - follow the 'intestinal recovery' link to see our range of gut conditioning products.
Young pups, if not properly wormed, may vomit up roundworms - these look like strands of spaghetti and are a rude reminder to you to get some worming medicine.
It's important to maintain hygiene standards for you, your pet and your home whilst your pet is experiencing a period of vomiting - follow the links for products specifically available to help with this.

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Scratching is what's called a 'non-specific sign' - in other words it can be caused by lots of different things. If you think your dog might be scratching more than is normal, then the first thing to look for is to see if he's carrying any 'passengers'. The commonest such things are fleas - fast-moving, chestnut-brown, 2mm or so, and difficult to catch as they race through the parted fur. They have the well known prodigious ability to jump amazingly with their powerful hind legs. Lice - smaller and slow-moving, hair-clingers (and their eggs, well-known as 'nits') can be a problem too, particularly in pups and kennel dogs. If you find either of these then that's probably the problem, but just because you can't find them doesn't mean to say that's not the cause - it can take a practiced eye to spot them. If you find fleas, the link below to non-prescription flea treatments will take you to quick, effective and lasting control products to apply to your pet or in your household.
Another parasitic problem which causes scratching is mite infestation, commonly called 'mange'. This usually results in itchy, bald patches of skin, in the case of the commonest type of mite involved, this is usually on the lower body and legs and around the ear flap. Mange really requires a veterinary diagnosis but treatment is available on prescription from MyOnlineVet.co.uk.
Some cases of scratching are caused by dirty skin and coats which become infected with superficial bugs causing low grade inflammation - in this case, washing with a medicated shampoo is called for. In other cases, dietary supplements can help to make the skin healthier and the coat look, feel and perform better.
Still other causes of scratching include allergies and infections, and are best dealt with by a visit to your vet. Take a note of whether your dog is scratching a specific area or seems itchy all over as this can help with the diagnosis. A common allergic condition is called 'atopy' and this can now be treated with a prescription medicine called Atopica, available from MyOnlineVet.co.uk at a bargain price with a written prescription provided by your vet, as can antibiotics and prescription ointments prescribed by your vet.
Minor skin conditions - small patches of inflammation, cuts, etc can be treated with a number of products - follow the link to 'First Aid for Skin'.

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If your dog has a smelly ear it's usually accompanied by a tickly inflammation that makes him scratch it, shake his head and perhaps hold his head to one side. If you see this combination of signs then the best thing to do is take your dog to your vet as most likely there is an established infection ('otitis externa') that needs treatment with a prescription medicine. There are many causes for this common condition but it usually involves a combination of the ear shape (heavy, flopped-over ears are prone to infection) and infective agents including mites, bacteria and yeasts. Occasionally we also find there to be a 'foreign body' such as a grass awn lodged in the ear canal. A common result of all these factors is the production of excess ear wax and this adds to problems by impeding air circulation in the ear and allowing infections to multiply quickly.
Once the immediate acute problem your dog is experiencing has been resolved with the treatment prescribed by your vet it's important to keep your dog's ears healthy and clear of wax - by doing so you can prevent a recurrence of another painful, uncomfortable and costly attack of otitis externa.
MyOnlineVet.co.uk offers a selection of proven non-prescription ear cleaners to help keep ears healthy through regular use to gently remove wax and debris. Follow the Ear Cleaners (no prescription) link below to choose from our selected products to have in your pet's first aid kit.
You may wish to save money by buying the treatment prescribed by your vet to treat the initial infection from MyOnlineVet.co.uk, and you can if you order online and send us the prescription, but if your pet is experiencing acute discomfort it's best to pick up your prescription direct from your vet so you can start treatment immediately. If your dog requires repeat prescriptions of prescribed ear treatments then that would be a good opportunity for you to save money by buying from MyOnlineVet.co.uk - follow the 'Ear Treatments (prescription)' to see our range.

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As a vet experienced in pet practice I have often found dogs coming into my clinic with flea infestations and their owners completely unaware of it - and shocked to be told about it and shown the culprits. Fleas are common but can be difficult to find, moving quickly across the skin on their powerful legs. They are chestnut-brown, 2mm or so, and difficult to catch hold of should you try. They have the well known prodigious ability to jump amazingly with their powerful hind legs. Though you may find them anywhere on your pet's body they tend to congregate over the hind quarters around the tail head and also on the neck and behind the ears. Fleas do not breed on your pet - they breed in his bedding and elsewhere around your house in areas frequented by your pet. And of course they're not averse to taking a bite out of you too - until they realise you're not a dog or a cat (though dogs have their own specific species of flea, most fleas that infest dogs are actually cat fleas).
If you see just a single flea then you can be sure that there's a good going infestation in place - and if you have more than one dog and/or cat then they probably all have fleas, and will all need to be treated.
Fleas can be perfectly well controlled without having to get a prescription medicine from your vet with a selection of effective treatments carefully chosen and available from MyOnlineVet.co.uk, centred around the quite superb spot-on product, Frontline. In addition to on-animal treatments we stock a range of environment treatments to control fleas in your house, remembering that most of the fleas in an infestation will be in the dog's environment and not on the dog at any one time. Follow the 'Flea Control (no prescription)' link to purchase all you need to control fleas quickly, effectively and very economically to apply to your pet or in your household. Oh, and don't forget to vacuum regularly around your pet's bed and napping areas - it's a great way to get rid of flea eggs and larvae.

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We vets try to discourage people from thinking of their pets as 'little humans' because generally there are too many differences between humans and animals to make such comparisons. When it comes to lameness however, there are sufficient similarities to make a bit of so-called 'anthropomorphism' useful. So we know that if we stand awkwardly and twist our ankle we will limp for a day or two until it gets better - and we know not to go for a five mile hike that day either. We also know that if we have a sore knee or hip that continues to bother us for over a week that we should go to the doctor to get it checked out - which may involve an x-ray, particularly if we are getting on in years. And so it is with dogs. Just like us they are subject to a whole range of things which may cause them to be lame: they'll stand on a piece of glass, tear a nail, get arthritis, get bruised, suffer inherited problems, break bones, pull tendons, get infections, tear ligaments.
So, if your dog is lame for the first time and isn't distressed or bleeding then a couple of days rest may well cure the problem. If it doesn't get better however, or if your pet is bleeding or distressed, or has had a known serious injury or accident then a trip to your vet is required.
Equally, if your dog has a recurring lameness - even a mild one - then it's best to get him seen by a vet. In either case your vet can investigate the problem and a correct course of treatment prescribed.
Arthritis is a very common cause of lameness, especially so in older dogs and larger breed, so much so that it's worth trying to prevent it. This fact accounts for the increasing number of dogs which are fed dietary supplements to provide the nutrients necessary for healthy joint structure and function. Typically these products contain such things as Glucosamine, Chondroitin and Green Lipped Mussel extract, and they offer real benefits in helping to correct common joint problems associated with wear and tear and which can cause a lot of unnecessary discomfort and pain. MyOnlineVet.co.uk stocks a range of these supplements to help joints - follow the link below to view them.
If arthritis has had an opportunity to become established then many dogs require constant or regular medication to restore mobility and their enjoyment of life. These medicines are powerful anti-inflammatory drugs, such as Metacam, Rimadyl and others, and are only available on written prescription - follow the 'Arthritis Treatments' link buy these medicines at bargain MyOnlineVet.co.uk prices.
If you have a young pup, and particularly one from a large breed, you should ensure that his diet contains the correct mineral and vitamin supplements to help ensure the growth of strong bones and joints - any growth deformities arising at this time can be difficult or impossible to correct later - see the link below.
Dogs which over-exercise on hard surfaces or who walk in areas with broken glass or who have a healing foot wound my well benefit from our range of special dog-boots designed to protect against injury in such situations.

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Without a vet examination it can be difficult to work out what's going on if a dog isn't eating - it can be due to so many things. If unaccompanied by any other signs (e.g. lethargy, vomiting) one missed meal isn't an indication in itself that something needs to be done. Perhaps by the time a second meal is missed then other signs of illness may be evident - in which case a trip to your vet is probably called for.
If your dog appears to be hungry but unable or unwilling to eat then he may have pain in his mouth - perhaps dental problems - and these need to be investigated by a vet.
If your dog has always been a 'picky' eater then a number of things may put him off his feed which wouldn't bother other dogs - things such as a change of diet, a change of routine, stress, etc. Mineral and vitamin supplements may help such dogs just to ensure they have the correct balance of these things in their diet.
If your pet isn't eating well following a period of illness or surgery it's important to ensure that adequate fluids, energy and protein are available for the body to properly recover. Our range of convalescence products will be of great help in this situation.

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Finding a lump on your dog's body can be alarming, but don't panic - not all lumps are caused by tumours, and even if it is a tumour, many tumours are not dangerous, and even if dangerous, many can be successfully treated (this may be surgical and/or medical - see our range of products). Other causes of lumps include infections, haematomas (blood blisters), fat, fluid, fractures and hernias. In other words make an early appointment to see your vet and get it checked out - early treatment, advice or reassurance is called for.

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First of all, was it really a fit? When we say 'fits', we usually mean epileptic fits which are much the same in dogs as they are in humans. Caused by disordered electrical activity spreading through the brain, fits usually result in collapse, loss of responsiveness and frantic paddling of the legs. Urine and faeces may be passed during the fit. A fit usually lasts just a few minutes before the dog relaxes and becomes aware of its surroundings once more - it is then rather subdued for some time. Though you'll naturally want to go to your pet's aid during the fit it's best just to leave your dog to come through it. It's enough just to make sure he doesn't come to further harm - get him away from the riverbank, or off the road if that's where it is happening. There's a common myth that there's a danger he'll swallow his tongue and some owners try to open their pet's mouth to free the tongue - don't! You risk seriously damaging both your fingers and your dog's tongue.
If this is the first fit your dog has had then you need to visit your vet to have things checked out. It's common practice not to start anti-epileptic treatment straight away - rather we tend to wait to see if a pattern is going to emerge. Some dogs who have a fit never have another one - so daily treatment for life isn't always necessary.
There are other causes of fits which are unrelated to epilepsy - it can happen with a high fever, with certain infections, liver problems and due to poisons. It can also result from gut irritation and this is sometimes seen in puppies with roundworm infestations.
Most epilepsy treatments are only available by written prescription - follow the links below to see the MyOnlineVet.co.uk epilepsy treatments available.

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When we see a persistently coughing dog coming into the clinic we vets know it's most likely to be one of two things: respiratory tract infection or heart problems. It's important to establish which it is, and specifically what the problem is, so the correct treatment can be started. Depending on the condition that's present, that need to start treatment may be urgent, so take your dog to your vet to get a proper diagnosis made without delay. Infections will be treated with antibiotics and perhaps other drugs, whilst heart conditions may be treated by one or a combination of medicines. Once treatment for heart conditions has been started it's likely it will be continued for life - this can get very expensive, so look at the MyOnlineVet.co.uk range and prices and get a prescription from your vet to buy the medicine your dog needs at affordable prices.
A condition relatively new to the UK shores, and spreading, is heartworm and your vet will be keen to establish if it is present and treat it if so.
Infections of the respiratory tract include well-known conditions like 'Kennel Cough' and usually require prescription veterinary treatment - see our link to prescription and non-prescription items.

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Panting may be a sign of a number of different entirely unrelated things. If it's a short-lived event it might just be that your dog was hot and needing to cool down - that's how dogs do it, by panting, because they don't sweat. If the panting is prolonged - lasting for hours in the absence of hot weather or exertion - then it's something which needs attention. Sometimes it's something of little true medical significance - like anxiety - whilst at other times it can be an important sign of significant problems like heart failure, blood loss, chest damage, severe pain or high fever. It goes without saying that in such cases an urgent visit to your vet is called for.

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Depending upon the age of your dog, his background and breed, when and to whom or what the aggression is shown, and under what circumstances, this may be due to a number of causes and respond to a number of treatments. Ask locally about training classes to resolve aggression problems early before they get too ingrained in your dog's behaviour.
The links below may well prove helpful, and there's a lot more information available about training in our 'Pet Information' pages available through the links on the left hand panel.

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How do you know? Is he dragging his rump along the ground? If so it's probably his anal glands that are the problem, not worms. This is a common mistake people make and may be an 'urban myth' based on the fact that common thread worms that infect humans cause anal irritation and scratching. Dogs don't get these worms. You'll only know if your dog has worms if he vomits them up (usually puppies, and usually roundworms) or if you see worm segments coming out of your pet's anus (usually tapeworms). But usually there's no sign that your dog has worms despite them being there, so for that reason it's best to worm your adult dog four times a year, and your pup fortnightly.
You don't need prescription wormers to very effectively control worms, but you do need good wormers, such as Drontal, and these are restricted by law to controlled outlets like MyOnlineVet (and are not available from pet shops or supermarkets). Follow the links below for the best quality wormers at bargain prices.

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Runny or discharging eyes usually result from irritation or infection and this may be caused by all sorts of things - dust, foreign bodies, injuries, hair, bacteria, viruses. Most other cases are caused by failure of tears to be drained away properly so that normally produced tears simply overflow - such drainage problems are usually due to eye and/or nose shape, or infection, blocking the 'naso-lachrimal duct' that runs from the eye to the nostril and which normally drains the tear fluid in a continual manner as it is produced - perhaps not surprisingly it's most common in breeds with more flattened face. Runny eyes may also indicate the presence of conditions affecting the whole body - general infections and dehydration being examples.
The actual discharge may be clear or contain mucous or even pus if there is a lot of infection present, and the surface of the eye may be discoloured, inflamed or roughened, and the eyelids may be swollen and partially closed. Given its importance and its delicate nature, you can't risk an eye problem getting worse, so have a runny eye checked out by your vet.
Non-prescription eye cleaners available through the link below are helpful for those dogs which experience recurring bouts of simple eye irritation. Prescription eye treatments are available too, also at bargain prices.
Young dogs and certain breeds may have defects of the eyelid which result in them having a discharge and such cases may require corrective surgery.

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Drinking a lot of water on a regular basis needs to be investigated by your vet. Possible causes include diabetes and kidney problems which, along with some other conditions, need to be identified and treated urgently - so take your dog to your vet as soon as you become aware of it. Bring a urine sample from your dog with you when you go - even a small amount (in a clean jar) will be sufficient for initial tests (We can supply urine sampling collection kits - follow the 'Kidney treatment' link below).
Remember that dogs eating dried food will normally drink a lot more than dogs fed tinned or other moist food. Likewise, dogs given a lot of exercise have a higher water intake than those leading a sedentary lifestyle. Depending upon what your vet finds, treatment will vary from insulin for diabetes, to a range of treatments for kidney problems, to other treatments for other conditions if they are found. Follow the links below to take you to products relevant to your needs.

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Lethargy is another of those non-specific signs of illness that doesn't point to any one particular problem. It may just be a passing matter, lasting a day or so and marking a mild infection, discomfort or depression which resolves itself without need for investigation and treatment. But if the lethargy lasts for more than a day or so or becomes accompanied by other signs of problems then a trip to your vet is called for.
We often find dogs slowly becoming lethargic without owners being particularly aware of it and this is sometimes due to general discomfort from joints - dogs just becoming old and stiff in other words. Such cases usually respond well to joint supplements and, if needed, arthritis treatment.
Older animals may suffer from age-related mental decline which, amongst other things, makes them lethargic and this can be helped with products designed to improve the brains blood supply.
Some specific hormonal imbalances can cause dogs to become lethargic, with thyroid deficiency being the most common - similar to the human condition it responds well to treatment.

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Vaccinating your dog is something we at MyOnlineVet.co.uk don't have any involvement in (as it must be given by your own vet) but we do recommend that you keep your dog fully vaccinated. Ask any vet who has had to deal with the heartbreaking consequences of dogs getting the diseases that can be prevented by vaccine and they will all say the same. So if your dog is overdue his booster, take him along to your vet and get it done. He may need two shots instead of one to get back on track, but it's worth it for the reassurance and security it provides.

If your dog drags his bottom along the ground it's usually because his anal glands are blocked - it's nothing to do with worms (he may have worms too, but that's another matter). Anal glands are two little marble-sized sacs of fluid found either side of the anus just below the skin. They're scent glands which give each dog its own unique scent signature. They're a great idea if you're a dog and you can have all sorts of fun, and hours of pleasure, sniffing other dogs' backsides. The problem is that sometimes these glands get blocked and instead of their contents being squeezed out when faeces are passed, they get swollen, inflamed and sore - sometimes your dog will be able to clear the blockage by dragging himself but usually not. If this happens the glands need to be emptied by your vet who will gently squeeze out the contents - it's foul-smelling stuff, so be prepared!
Unfortunately some dogs are plagued with this problem and need to get their glands emptied by their vet every few weeks. Your vet may show you how to do this yourself to save you the regular trip and cost, but not every case is suitable for 'DIY'. In some cases we advise surgical removal of the glands. The point is that if you see your dog repeatedly dragging his bottom along the ground then take him to your vet for a diagnosis and treatment. Other signs of impacted anal glands include biting and licking as close to the glands as they can reach, holding the tail down instead of up, and sometimes they just display a vague lethargy.
Prevention of the condition is difficult - but one thing that can help some dogs is to ensure that your dog's faeces are adequately bulky in order that the glands are mechanically squeezed out when he defecates - follow the link to 'bulking agents' below.

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Dogs that wander off from home can be a real nuisance, both to you and other people. Clearly, it's your responsibility to keep your dog under control at all times, and if you don't you are responsible for the consequences. These consequences can include your dog causing and being involved in road traffic accidents, forming a dangerous 'pack' with other stray dogs, getting lost, stolen or injured, being taken into a dog pound by authorities, and in country areas being shot for worrying livestock.
Why do dogs do it? Well for much the same reason as we like to take time out - sex, food and entertainment. The sex drive in dogs is such that entire (i.e. uncastrated) male dogs can smell a bitch in season from miles away and some will do their damnedest to get to her - even if it means chewing their way out of your house to do so. If this is the case with your dog, consider having him neutered.
Equally, entire bitches at a certain stage in their reproductive cycle will take every opportunity to find a mate. Food is a motive for wandering for some dogs and particularly for some breeds, like Labradors. It doesn't mean you are underfeeding them; it's just that they have a big, unhealthy appetite - and they know how to satisfy it. Such dogs may be just scavenging in an opportunistic manner or you may find someone else is feeding your pet out of some misguided sense of kindness - perhaps like you they enjoy your dog's company and attention; if you find this to be the case, have a polite word to explain the predicament. Otherwise it's just a matter of curbing your pet's potential to roam - it's not a case of feeding them more at home! Dogs that wander off for entertainment, perhaps teaming up with other dogs to romp, chase and play, can become a real danger - the romp frightens people, the chase ends in an attack, the play spills over to fighting. None of this is good, and all may have serious consequences for your pet and you. Dogs that do this tend to be bored, not getting enough exercise and supervised play - so the solution is in your hands. Our range of training aids offers many items that can help.

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There's a lot of overweight dogs around! Surveys show the figure to be 30 - 50%. It hardly needs repeating that being overweight is bad for your pet, putting unnecessary strain on heart, joints and internal organs and reducing quality of life and lifespan. Why are they fat? Simple - because they're eating more food than they need - they're not burning as many calories as they're eating. Many people with overweight dogs aren't aware that they are overweight - or they refuse to admit it. When a dog is at his ideal weight you should be able to feel his ribs on his chest with a light covering of fat, he should have a discernable waist when viewed from above and when viewed from the side his abdomen should be slightly tucked up. Your vet will provide advice on your pet's weight and how to control it - many vet surgeries run weight clinics to help owners tackle the problem. In cases of obesity, your vet may prescribe specific weight-loss medication which is available from My Online Vet - check the link below.

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How do you know he has a temperature? Taking a dog's temperature with an anal thermometer is the only reliable way to tell - it's not many people's idea of fun (nor the dog's!), but it's a good thing to be able to do. You can use either a digital or mercury bulb thermometer, zeroed, lubricated and gently inserted for a minute (digital thermometers tend to emit a 'peep' when ready) into the restrained dog's anus to lie against the rectum wall about an inch (25mm) inside the anus. The normal temperature for a dog is 38.5C or 101.5F, though it may vary by a degree or so either way. If it's higher than this then your suspicion of a raised temperature was right and you should take your dog to your vet for diagnosis and treatment. The usual cause of a high temperature is illness caused by infection, but it can also be caused by (amongst other things) heat stroke and over-exertion.

You'll know your dog has a vaginal discharge if she spends a lot of time licking herself there, and if you see a discharge or matted hair around her vulva. There can be a number of causes for a vaginal discharge in a bitch, but there is one cause that is a medical and surgical emergency that you should be aware of, called 'pyometra'. This condition only affects entire (i.e. not spayed) bitches and is a glandular disease affecting the uterus (womb) whereby it fills with pus and releases toxins which, if untreated, will usually kill your pet in a short time. Unfortunately it's a common condition, usually affecting middle-aged dogs typically aged 7 - 8 years of age, and it requires emergency surgery to remove the uterus. Affected dogs will have a vaginal discharge if their cervix is open (called an 'open pyometra') making diagnosis easier, but if the cervix is closed ('closed pyometra') there is no discharge to help diagnosis and the affected dog is usually sicker. Dogs with pyometra tend to drink excessively, vomit, are obviously ill and deteriorate rapidly. This condition requires rapid treatment for the best outcome, so contact your vet without delay if you suspect it.
Not all cases of vaginal discharge are caused by pyometra, but it must be ruled out. Other causes include mild vaginal infections, vulval dermatitis and urinary incontinence - all usually simply treated but requiring your vet's attention.

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If this has developed over a period of an hour or two, particularly if just after feeding, and particularly if your pet is a large, deep-chested breed then this strongly suggests that he has developed a gastric torsion. This is a surgical emergency. Contact your vet without further delay, no matter what time of day or night it is.

Urinary incontinence in bitches is quite a common problem, usually associated with hormonal imbalances in those that have been spayed. Typically bitches affected with this condition leave spots of urine when they sit down and patches where they sleep; they lick themselves to try to stay clean but inevitably local infections and smell starts - much to the distress of both pet and owner alike.
Fortunately this condition is usually easily treated with medicine given daily and available at reduced price from MyOnlineVet.co.uk with a written prescription from your vet. There are other causes of urinary incontinence such as bladder infections and bladder stones ('urinary calculi') - so a veterinary diagnosis is required.

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Anxiety is a problem for some dogs and is this makes their life in the modern world difficult and stressful. It's a problem more associated with some breeds than others: small and toy dogs are often more highly strung than larger breeds, but some larger breeds can suffer anxiety too. Typical of this latter case are working strains of working dogs kept as non-working pets, such as Border Collies. There are a number of approaches that can be taken to coping with anxiety in dogs. Firstly it's a matter of establishing the circumstances that trigger or make the anxiety worse and trying to avoid them or lessen their impact on your pet. In addition to trying to achieve behaviour modification through training and changing your pet's environment, there are a number of medicines that are very useful, principle amongst which is the pheromone product, D.A.P., which mimics the natural chemical messenger which has a calming effect on dogs. Follow the link below to see the MyOnlineVet.co.uk range of D.A.P. products available at low cost. Some cases of anxiety require the use of prescription medicines following more detailed veterinary investigation, and these too are available here.

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This rather unusual condition results in the cornea drying through lack of tears, typically becoming discoloured, discharging and often ulcerated. This is a complex eye condition which usually involves a defect in the dog's immune system. Your vet will want to investigate the problem to determine the best course of treatment. Once this has happened you can get the artificial tears and other preparations you need at bargain prices from MyOnlineVet.co.uk - follow the link below to see the range.

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Smelly coats tend to signify the action of bacteria and other organisms on the dog's skin. This can be caused by specific skin conditions affecting any age of dog, or it can be a consequence of simple ageing. Sometimes too a dog will roll in something really smelly - and revel in the pleasure it gives them, like we might with an expensive perfume. Perhaps to a dog our perfumed bodies smell as vile as he does to us after he's rolled in a dead fox.
Specific skin conditions may typically be caused by allergies or infections (or sometimes both) and these need your vet's attention and diagnosis.
The more common problem of smelly older dogs is on the one hand a simpler problem, but it's problematical to deal with. As a dog gets older his skin and coat tend to get a bit less healthy and with that inevitably comes a bit of a smell. Why does the skin and coat become less healthy? Well that's age for you - the circulation isn't so good, and neither are all the systems that keep everything in tip-top order, so cells of the body that have a rapid turnover, like skin cells, aren't as good as they are in a younger animal. This all results in more skin bacteria, more oil production from skin glands...and more smell. Good quality shampoos can help control this problem - follow the links below for effective shampoos and supplements at bargain prices from MyOnlineVet.co.uk - and keep the skin healthy by regular grooming and exercise.

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'Dog breath' is so well known as a condition that it's commonly used as a jocular insult. It may indeed be a trivial condition of no health consequence but it is often a sign of dental or other disease which needs treatment - often the first sign of more problems to come.
So, if your dog is afflicted with halitosis (the correct name for bad breath) then best to get him checked out by your vet so any specific treatment necessary can be given. Like everything else, prevention is better than cure and because a lot of halitosis is caused by a build up of tartar on the teeth and consequent inflammation of the gums, attention to oral hygiene is the key. There are two main approaches you can take - using a toothbrush or by giving dental chews which you can get online from MyOnlineVet.co.uk by following the links below.
Another cause of halitosis is kidney disease, so it's important to have it investigated.

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If you know for sure that it has, and it has just happened, phone your vet and take your dog in without delay so that appropriate treatment can be started immediately. If you have a sample of the poison, or even better its container, take that in with you too.
That situation apart, 'poisoning' is one of the most frequent wrong diagnoses made by pet owners when they try to work out for themselves what might be wrong with their sick pet. In fact it's seldom the case.

Nuisance barking is something your neighbours may be more aware of than you are. Why? Because most dogs bark when they're bored, and they're bored when you're not there. Once a habit of barking has become established it can be difficult to shift, even with a change of your dog's routine. In order to cure dogs of this habit, a range of collars have been developed to provide a distraction each time the dog barks - this usually consists of a spray of water from a container in the collar, automatically activated whenever the dog barks and which has an off-putting effect on the dog. Most dogs soon learn that to avoid the spray they simply stop barking. Follow this link to see the MyOnlineVet.co.uk range of anti-bark collars.
Other cases of barking may not be associated with simply being 'home alone', but are a reflection of general anxiety, and a better approach to treating it is to go down the anxiety control route and the first line of treatment might be to use D.A.P., available from the 'Anxiety control' link, below. It may be that your dog's barking is a sign that he is generally not responding to your commands, and in that case you should consider enrolling him and yourself in dog training classes - there are usually some advertised locally and the link to 'Training aids', below, may help.

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Dogs which shed their hair excessively can be a messy problem for some households - only added to by owners tearing their own hair out trying to deal with it. It's really a problem of domestication - in the wild, dogs naturally shed their coat twice a year: once to grow a thick winter coat, once to grow a lighter summer coat. The natural triggers for the dogs to start this process is the shortening light and colder days of autumn and the lengthening light and warmer days of late spring. That's fine, and evolution did a good job in devising a system for dogs exposed to the rigours of an outdoor life, but bring the dog inside to (virtually) constant temperature levels and unchanging light levels and the poor dog has lost its natural triggers to control hair growth. The result is that hair is shed every day of the year, and short of keeping your dog outside or disconnecting your light bulbs and central heating, you can't do much about it.
Having said that, some dogs will shed hair for other reasons - if they are scratching a lot because they have skin parasites like fleas, lice or mange, for instance, or if their coat and skin are dirty, or if they are short of certain important skin nutrients. Follow the links below for effective products at bargain prices to treat these conditions.

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There are all sorts of reasons for dogs to lose weight unexpectedly, some of which are trivial, like a sore tooth, others of which are serious, like cancer. This requires investigation by your vet, and depending upon the diagnosis made a number of treatments might be called for, and if they are medicinal in nature we can supply them and save you money. We'll consider just a few causes of weight loss here in the following short paragraphs, and provide links to appropriate treatments.
Though sometimes encountered in pups and adolescent dogs, but unlikely in an otherwise fit adult dog, worms can cause weight loss if certain species are present in large enough numbers.
Nutritional imbalance is another cause and may be seen where dogs are fed on a home-made diet - it's important to ensure that he receives all the necessary minerals and vitamins.
Chronic kidney disease usually results in lost bodily condition as large amounts of protein are lost through the kidneys into the urine.
Not so frequently encountered is liver disease which results in metabolic dysfunction and consequential weight loss.
A condition we occasionally encounter is pancreatic enzyme deficiency. This sees the failure of production of the enzymes the pancreas normally produces and excretes into the intestines as part of the digestive process. The result of this is that food isn't properly digested and so affected dogs lose weight and have almost permanent diarrhoea. Fortunately it's an easily treated condition with pancreatic enzyme replacement medicine.

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