Name: Vet HQ
Telephone: +1-
Price range: $$

Questions regarding seizuring or collapsed animals. There are many causes ranging from poisonings, epilepsy, brain disease, heart disease, and chemical imbalances in the body. In order to distinguish the possible cause, history is very important. Blood tests and a full physical examination may also be needed.

Is this the first episode?
Has there been any access to toxins, poisons or plants?
Were there any preceding signs eg muscle twitches, shaky leg, shortness of breath, anxiety?
Has there been slowly worsening weakness over the last few days, weeks or months?
Was there any loss of consciousness?
Always check the colour of the tongue and mucous membranes at the time. Are they pink, white, blue?
Has there been any coughing?
What is the recovery time after the incident? Was your pet’s behaviour back to normal within seconds or minutes or did the abnormal behaviour continue for a longer period.
Is your pet on any medication (veterinary, herbal or supermarket)? When and how often is this given?

Questions regarding itchy skin in dogs and cats.

Itchy skin may be caused by allergies; infections with bacteria, yeasts, mites; internal disease states, hormonal imbalances, irritations to environmental substances and many less common but complicated immune conditions. A thorough history including seasonality, response to previously used drugs and exposure to different environments are important in assessing the various causes. In some cases blood tests, food and drug trials, or biopsies may be needed as the next step in diagnosis.

Is this the first time the skin has become itchy?
If not, at what age did the itchiness begin?
What is the area or areas of the body affected?
Is flea control being used? If so, what brand and when was it last applied?
Are there other animals in the house? Has flea controlled been used on them?
What is the normal diet? Have there been any treats or special foods given recently?
Where does your pet walk?
What is the nature of your back yard or courtyard?
Is the bedding new or has the bedding recently been washed? Were different detergents used than previously?
Is there new carpet in the home?
Has the new grass been laid in the backyard? Have any fertilisers been used recently? Has it been mowed lately?
Has your pet been bathed recently? If so, what shampoo was used? Did the itchiness get better or worse after bathing?
Have any drugs been used recently? If so what and when?
Has cortisone been used in the past? Did this improve the itchiness? If so for how long was it used?
Have antibiotics been used in the past? If so, when and for how long?
(Please note that if these drugs were prescribed by Vet HQ, our records will indicate this – if they were prescribed by another Vet hospital, please let us know the name of the Hospital so that we can call them and obtain a copy of your history before your consultation)

Is the itchiness worse at a particular time of year/ season?

Has your pet been to the country recently? Has there been contact with foxes?
Are there any other signs that you may be concerned about? Eg changes in water intake, diarrhoea, generally unwell.

Questions regarding coughing in dogs and cats. Coughing may occur because of airway disease, lung disease or cardiac disease. Infective; allergic; irritant; cancer; parasitic; structural causes are all possible and a physical examination is required. Sometimes a chest x-ray and other pathology tests may be needed.

How long has the coughing been occurring?
What is the timing of the coughing? At night? Following exercise? After eating? With excitement? Following barking? Pulling on the lead? All the time? No pattern?
Is the coughing productive? Is there phlegm?
Has your pet been vaccinated? If so, when?
Is your pet currently receiving heartworm prevention? If so, what brand? When was the last time it was given? Have you ever missed or been late with any treatments in the past?
Are the levels of exercise ok? Is your pet tiring more than previously?
Has your pet been in a tick area? If so, have any tick preventatives been used? And when was it applied?
Are there other symptoms you are concerned about?
Is anyone a smoker at home?
Have any chemicals, sprays, deodorants been used in the pet’s environment?
Are there other abnormalities in your pet’s behaviour?

Questions regarding increased appetite coupled with weight loss in cats and dogs:

There are many conditions that need to be considered. There may be problems with the swallowing of food, the digestion of food; the absorption of food from the bowel or even conditions elsewhere in the body that are effecting how efficiently (or inefficiently) the food is being used. A good history and physical examination are important, but blood tests, faecal tests, urine tests and other tests may be required.

What is your pet’s normal diet?
What quantities of food are being fed and how often?
Has your pet been wormed recently (last 3 months?) What product was used?
How much has your pet been drinking?
Has there been any vomiting or diarrhoea?
How much weight has your pet lost? How quickly has this occurred?
Is there any coughing?
Has there been any lameness or muscle wastage noted?

There are many conditions that may cause these symptoms. They include diseases of the intestinal tract eg inflammatory bowel disease, food allergies, parasites, diabetes, heart disease, cancer, thyroid problems, liver disease and many more.

Double Bay

Darlinghurst

Medicine

+ Fitting or collapse

+ Itchy skin

+ Coughing

+ Increased appetite and weight loss

+ Loss of appetite or weight loss

+ Diarrhoea

+ Vomiting