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A little bit about Harry

Harry was only around a year old when he started scratching his skin a lot and it started to bleed. He was diagnosed with atopic dermatitis and needs daily medication to reduce the itching. With your support we can continue to help pets like Harry live a comfortable and happy life.

My factfile

My breed: Staffordshire Bull Terrier

My gender: Male

Where I live: Glasgow

My special place: My mum’s bed

My favourite toy: I love chasing my ball

My illness: Atopic Dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common and chronic disease that causes inflammation of the skin and is often caused by allergies. It can be caused by harmless substances like grass, mould spores, house dust mites etc. It causes itchy, swollen and cracked, red skin that can get infected. AD requires lifelong management and regular checks.

Treatment depends on the cause but it is often necessary for the dog to take steroids to reduce the inflammation and itching. Without treatment, AD is a very uncomfortable and painful problem.

My treatment: Steroid tablets every day. I also have to have a bath with a special medicated shampoo that’s more delicate on my skin. These help my itching and make me feel more comfortable.

A little bit about Messi

After a traumatic visit to the PDSA Pet Hospital following several fits, Messi was diagnosed with epilepsy, a lifelong condition that affects Messi's brain. She now receives daily medication to manage her epilepsy and regular check-ups from the PDSA vets to ensure she is happy and healthy.

My factfile

My breed: Lakeland Patterdale

My gender: Female

Where I live: Sheffield

My special place: Relaxing in the garden

My favourite toy: Teddy bear

My illness: Epilepsy

This lifelong condition affects Messi’s brain, causing her to have sudden, uncontrolled, seizures. Messi will fall to the floor and start shaking uncontrollably and her mouth will sometimes froth.

My treatment: Daily tablets and regular check-ups at the PDSA Pet Hospital

A little bit about Onyx

Onyx was only young when she was diagnosed with epilepsy, a lifelong condition that affects her brain. She needs daily medication to keep her fits under control and with your support we can continue to help pets like Onyx live a happy life.

My factfile

My breed: Domestic Short Hair Cross

My gender: Female

Where I live: Stoke-on-Trent

My special place: Anywhere at home!

My favourite toy: I’m too lazy for playing

My illness: Epilepsy

A brain disorder that causes poor Onyx to have sudden, uncontrolled, recurring physical attacks, with or without loss of consciousness

My treatment: Daily medication and regular checkups

A little bit about Poppy

Poppy was a very special arrival in the family home. Her owner’s husband decided to get Poppy when he was diagnosed with terminal cancer. He didn’t want his wife to be alone and knew that Poppy would make the perfect companion – and he was right. Poppy’s owner couldn’t imagine life without her. Poppy loved to play in the garden, chase birds and play with her favourite toys until a fall in the garden resulted in her needing two serious operations. Now Poppy lives with arthritis and has regular medication to support her mobility and relieve her pain.

My factfile

My breed: Golden Retriever

My gender: Female

My birth date: 16 April

Where I live: Blackpool

My special place: I love to lie on my towel on the sofa and rest my head on my owner’s lap.

My favourite toy: I always like to play in the morning around 9am and I play tug of war with one of my favourite toys: Cheesy Chimp, Dotty Donkey or Pink Piggy.

My illness: Arthritis

After Poppy fell while playing in the garden and developed a limp, she was brought to PDSA where she had two operations to repair her ruptured cruciate ligaments in her back legs. Unfortunately the injuries left her with arthritis - inflammation in her joints which mean they don't work smoothly and cause her pain.

My treatment: Regular medication and regular check ups

A little bit about Sugar

'Sugar was only five years old when she suddenly collapsed. She was rushed to her nearest PDSA Pet Hospital where she was quickly stabilised and diagnosed with Addison's disease.'

My factfile

My breed: West Highland white terrier (Westie)

My gender: Female

Where I live: Sheffield

My special place: My bed, nice and toasty in-between the fire and the TV

My favourite toy: Teddy Bear

My illness: Addison’s Disease

Addison’s disease is a disorder which stops the adrenal glands functioning normally. These are two small glands that sit on top of the kidneys and produce essential hormones – including cortisol and aldosterone – which play an important role in metabolism and immunity. Not producing enough of these vital hormones results in fatigue, muscle weakness, loss of appetite, vomiting and diarrhoea.

Without treatment it can be fatal, but with careful management and treatment, sufferers can still enjoy a healthy and happy life.

My treatment: Tablets every day and injection at the Pet Hospital once a month