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Welcome to Petplan’s blog, a space where you can read up on the latest pet-news, find out interesting facts and tips about keeping your pets happy and healthy, and share your views on hot topics.

Rabbit health: a guide to fly strike

Rabbit health: a guide to fly strike
Posted on by Petplan
This article contains: pet petplan rabbit pets infections health rabbits
With any luck we will enjoy some sunshine this summer. But while we might love those warm lazy days, they do bring problems: flies. Kath Stathers looks at the danger of fly strike in rabbits.

Fly strike – or myiasis to give it its scientific name – is a problem that can afflict rabbits in hot weather and even be fatal.

Debate: Do pets pose a significant hygiene risk?

Debate: Do pets pose a significant hygiene risk?
Posted on by Petplan
When it comes to hygiene, pet owners are a varied bunch – from the relaxed cat-lover who happily permits everything from counter-surfing to face-licking, to the anxious dog owner who won't allow their companion upstairs and insists on post-fuss hand-washing. But who's right? Here, Sophie Mackenzie looks at the science behind pets and hygiene, and persuades some brave pet owners to reveal their breaches of best practice.

It's well known that people with pets, on the whole, are healthier and live longer than those without. This is partly because of the stress-busting effect our companion animals have, but also because exposure to them boosts immunity, especially in children. So at what point does close proximity to pets stop being beneficial and start being a bit unsanitary, or even dangerous?

Pyometra: what to look out for

Pyometra: what to look out for
Posted on by Petplan
Continuing on a reproductive theme, vet Marc Abraham looks at an extremely common life-threatening condition that affects unspayed female dogs, yet is easily preventablePyometra - literally pus in the womb' - presents with a range of signs, from the obvious (thick creamy pus discharging from the vulva) to the subtle (loss of appetite)

How to treat mange in your dog

How to treat mange in your dog
Posted on by Petplan
This article contains: dog infections mange hair loss itching scabies
Our second post from vet Marc Abraham looks at mange: what causes this unpleasant infection, how it affects dogs and what can be done about itSome common pet diseases can prove notoriously stubborn and expensive to fix, taking weeks or even months to see any improvement. A classic example is mange - infestation of your pet's skin

Does your pet smell? Here's what to do

Does your pet smell? Here's what to do
Posted on by Petplan
If your pet smells bad, you need to identify the source of the odour – for everyone's sake. It may be something simple that you can sort out yourself, or it may need your veterinary surgeon's help. We've asked PetPeople magazine vet Alison Logan for her top tips Is something offensive stuck to your cat's fur somewhere? Has your dog rolled in something unpleasant? Groom it out first if possible (easier when dry) then use an odour-eliminating pet shampoo - remember that cats do not naturally like being washed, and rabbits will need careful drying afterwards. Tomato ketchup is said to be very effective at counteracting the smell of fox muck, which
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