Articles
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Quality of life is a way to refer to and discuss the day-to-day life and lifestyle of a dog reaching the end of its life. A quality-of-life scale for cats can help owners and veterinarians work together to maintain a healthy human-animal bond. The scale looks at seven different categories including hurt, hunger, hydration, hygiene, happiness, mobility, more good days than bad. The scale can help clarify the decisions and anxiety related to your dog’s end of life care.
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Quittor is an old term for a condition that involves death and destruction (necrosis) of the collateral cartilages of the foot (see our information sheet on sidebones), following an infection in the foot (see our information sheet on pus in the foot).
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Rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) is a fatal calicivirus that affects only rabbits. It can be transmitted by direct contact with a diseased rabbit or from feces, urine, or hair from a diseased or dead rabbit. Hemorrhaging from one or more body orifices is a common sign of the disease.
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Rabbit syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease caused by a spirochete organism called Treponema cuniculi. Infected rabbits develop sores that are confined to the mucocutaneous junctions, such as the external genitals, anus, lips, nostrils, and eyelids. Humans cannot contract this disease from rabbits.
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Rabbits can make wonderful pets for those willing to understand their unique characteristics and needs. They are very intelligent and always adorable, but require special handling and more supervision than some other pet species. As it is with all pets, though, rabbits require a healthy diet, lots of activity, social interaction, and routine veterinary care to live happy and healthy lives.
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Fly strike is maggot infestation of wounds, skin irritations, or feces stuck to hair around the rectum. Sometimes the rabbit is said to be "fly blown". Attractive sites, for a fly, are skin wounds or areas of soiled and matted fur – especially fur that is soiled by blood, urine, or feces.
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Rabies is a viral disease that can infect all warm-blooded animals, including cats and people, although some species are somewhat naturally resistant to the disease. When signs of rabies occur, it is an almost invariably fatal disease. Vaccination and post-exposure quarantine are discussed.
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Rabies is one of the most devastating viral diseases affecting mammals, including dogs and humans. It is a fatal disease caused by infection with the rabies virus. Following a bite from a rabid animal, the disease progresses in stages. Vaccination is the cornerstone of rabies prevention.
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Radiation is a type of energy produced naturally by the sun, earth, and rocks and artificially by machines. Although several types of tumors can be treated with radiation therapy alone (e.g., nasal tumors, brain tumors, and certain types of lymphoma), radiation therapy is most commonly used to destroy or limit the growth of cancer cells left behind (i.e., microscopic disease) after a tumor has been surgically removed. Side effects depend on the type and location of the tumor and its surrounding tissues.
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X-ray images are produced by directing X-rays through a part of the body towards an absorptive surface such as an X-ray film or electronic sensor. The image is produced by the differing energy absorption of various parts of the body. Bones are the most absorptive and leave a white image on the screen, whereas soft tissue absorbs varying degrees of energy depending on the density, producing shades of gray on the image. Air on an X-ray is black. X-rays are a common diagnostic tool used for many purposes.
