You should seek the advice of your veterinarian if your pet is ill as only he or she can correctly advise on the diagnosis and recommend the treatment that is most appropriate for your pet.

Anorexia is a term often used by veterinarians and used in textbooks about animal health - but what does it mean ?

Anorexia means a lack or loss of appetite. If an animal has partial anorexia it eats a bit but insufficient to meet it's daily requirements. Total anorexia means the animal is not eating at all. The result of anorexia is weight loss, nutritional deficiency and, if total anorexia is prolonged, starvation. During periods of anorexia the body will breakdown it's own body tissue reserves for energy - even though this is ultimately detrimental for the animal.

Animals that do not eat for more than 24 hours should be examined by a veterinarian to determine the underlying cause.

Last updated : September 2013