Animal health

Infections in dogs are common and can become very dangerous if not recognized in time and treated properly. While some of these infections can be more or less mild, others can permanently damage your dog's vision. Infections in dogs vary greatly, and all require proper veterinary treatment to avoid major...

Like other animals, rabbits can suffer from a variety of ophthalmologic pathologies that can affect different ocular structures. Knowing the major clinical signs associated with these pathologies is critical for early recognition of an ocular problem, rapid action, and prevention of complications. If...

Cataracts are one of the leading causes of vision loss in both human and animal medicine. Rabbits are not exempt from this ocular pathology, but they can be more difficult to diagnose. Although their eye placement means they struggle seeing objects right in front of them, they have acute vision from...

Ivermectin is a long-established antiparasitic used for various purposes in different species of animals such as dogs, cats, cattle, and even humans. Ivermectin is also commonly prescribed for rabbits. It is considered an endoparasitic because it fights multiple microorganisms, both external and internal....

Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata), also known as mayflower, purple passionflower, true passionflower, wild apricot, and wild passion vine, is a fast-growing perennial vine with climbing or drooping stems. It is grown commercially in tropical and subtropical areas for its sweet, seed-bearing fruit,...

A cat's wound should start to heal as soon as it occurs. The healing process is a part of the feline's natural defenses which is vital to sustain life after trauma and other threats to their health. While healing is something we often take for granted, for a cat's wound to heal properly many different processes...

In a healthy dog, blood circulates in an orderly manner around the blood vessels. Since the transportation of blood around the body is vital to maintain the organism itself, good circulation is essential. Not only does poor circulation prevent the proper functioning of the cardiovascular system (and,...

The ophthalmic diseases dogs can suffer from are varied and can affect different eye structures. Lens luxation is a displacement of the lens inside the eye due to a tear in the ligaments that hold the lens in suspension. Lens luxation is a common pathology that affects the lens of some dogs, particularly...

Horner’s syndrome in cats is a neurological disorder that consists of a set of symptoms affecting a cat’s nervous system. This disorder is caused by a dysfunction of the cat’s sympathetic nervous system. Thus, Horner's syndrome is not a disease in itself, but a group of symptoms that constitute the condition....

Fipronil (brand names: Frontline®, Barricade®, Easyspot® and many others) is a broad-spectrum insecticide used to control insects such as fleas, lice, ticks, cockroaches, and mites. Cats can be treated with it for external parasites and for allergic dermatitis after flea bites starting at the age of two...

Povidone-iodine is commonly sold under the brand name Betadine®. It is a drug marketed as an antiseptic for superficial wounds. It has a broad antimicrobial spectrum, being effective against various viruses, protozoa, spores, fungi, and gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. This microbicidal effect...

Ivermectin is a macrocyclic lactone used to treat external parasites in many mammals. Ivermectin is especially useful for eliminating small parasites in guinea pigs, such as fleas, lice, and mites. As every guinea pig owner knows, skin diseases are one of the most common health problems in guinea pigs....

Procox® is an antiparasitic drug containing two active ingredients, emodepside and toltrazuril. It is a product marketed for dogs, but it has also been shown to be an effective dewormer in cats. Procox® is used to treat cats that are infested with two types of parasites at the same time, roundworms and...

Chlorhexidine is a disinfectant and antiseptic which is used in both human and veterinary medicine. It is considered safe and is commonly used for disinfection of wounds, lesions, erosions, and skin disorders such as feline acne, certain infections, and pododermatitis. It is also used as a complement to...

The domestication of our dogs has given canines a special place in terms of their relationship to humans. We can co-exist in harmony thanks to training and adaptation. In this context, it is important to remember they are still an animal. They will react to certain situations and environments in ways...

Although they often go unnoticed due to their relatively small size, male dogs also have nipples. Female dogs use their breasts once they give birth to puppies. Although males do not perform this reproductive function, they also have mammary gland tissue which can be very sensitive. As with any tissue...

Meloxicam, marketed under the brand names Metacam®, Loxicom®, OroCAM®, and Rheumocam, is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug commonly used in veterinary medicine to treat pain and inflammation associated with rheumatic diseases and osteoarthritis. In some cases, it is also used to treat pain associated...

Those of us fortunate enough to share our lives with a rabbit will know they are sensitive animals. They may also know there are different breeds which have varying morphologies, i.e. their physical form differs. Some have naturally droopy ears, others have ears which stand alert. If we see our rabbit has...

Warts may be easier to see on human skin, but cats are also susceptible to them. As with humans, warts on cats can have various underlying causes. They are generally benign skin growths, but the types of warts cats can develop are specific to the species. Many are related to the feline papillomavirus, but...

If you think your cat is pregnant, whether planned or unplanned, you need some basic information about what to expect and how to ensure your cat has a healthy pregnancy. It is also important that you learn to recognize if your cat is in labor, in case there is a problem that requires your intervention...

Selamectin is a safe antiparasitic for rabbits and very useful to kill external parasites such as fleas, lice or mites. It is very similar structurally to the more-commonly-known ivermectin. The dose will depend on the type of parasitization in our rabbit and the extent of its progress. The active ingredient of...

Famciclovir is a prodrug, meaning it's a drug that becomes pharmacologically active once metabolized. After metabolism, famciclovir is transformed into the active metabolite penciclovir. The action of this metabolized prodrug works by inhibiting viral replication of viral nucleic acid. For this reason, it...

Gastrointestinal diseases are relatively common in felines. They can be accompanied by various symptoms, all of which need to be monitored by their caregivers. Constipation is a digestive problem which can go unnoticed by cat guardians, especially if they do not check their litter regularly. The underlying...

Ringworm is a fungal skin infection that causes alopecic lesions with scaling and redness, usually starting on the head and later spreading to other parts of the body. Diagnosis and treatment are simple, but since it is a zoonotic disease, it must be treated carefully to prevent transmission to humans. In...

Calcinosis cutis is a disorder characterized by the lesions of calcium salts in the skin. The result is the appearance of hard nodules or crusted plaques. In canine medicine, it usually appears in individuals with Cushing's syndrome or those subjected to prolonged treatment with corticosteroids. There are...

Cramps can be difficult to detect in a dog's muscles, especially if the dog has long hair. In cases where the cramping is continuous, it is possible to see the dog's muscles twitch under the skin. Often, the dog experiences painful muscle spasms without their guardians noticing. Not only are the symptoms...

We don't expect our dog's breath to smell particularly nice. The dog food which is so appetizing to canines is often quite unpleasant to us, for example. However, this does not mean it should smell rotten. If you notice your dog's breath is foul, you will need to take a look inside their mouth. When...

Ketoconazole is an antifungal used in cats to eliminate mycosis, i.e. an infection caused by fungi. Specifically, it fights mycosis which affects the skin, bones and even systemic infections. The fungi which it counteracts are numerous, including species as varied as dermatophytes responsible for ringworm,...

Cuterebra is a type of fly that requires small warm-blooded animals such as rodents and rabbits to complete its life cycle. They are known as robust botflies, a group of parasitical flies which develop in the flesh of their host. Cats are often susceptible to Cuterebra parasitization due to their own...

Famotidine is a medication from the group of drugs known as H2 receptor antagonists. H2 receptors allow the binding of histamine to induce gastric acid secretion. By blocking these receptors, histamine limits its binding and, in turn, the secretion of gastric acids. This is useful when an organism is producing...

At AnimalWised, we understand there are many sensitive issues when it comes to pet care. However, care is the operative word and we strive to provide the best information to make the world better for both individual animals and the animal community as a whole. Few topics are as sensitive as animal abortion....

Commonly sold under the brand name Zantac, ranitidine is a drug that inhibits gastric acid secretion in cats. This action is carried out by binding to the H2 receptors in the stomach which are responsible for the release of this acid. For this reason, it is used to treat problems related to stomach...

Gastritis is one of the most common gastrointestinal diseases among domestic felines. It is characterized by an inflammation of the gastric mucosa, which can be acute or chronic. Gastritis can affect cats of all ages, whether they are mestizos or of a defined breed. However, it is more common in felines...

Omeprazole is an active ingredient from the group of stomach proton pump inhibitors. It is responsible for reducing the production of gastric acid and controlling disorders associated with gastric hypersecretion in cats. You may be more familiar with it in human medicine as it is on the World Health Organization's...

Cystic endometrial hyperplasia (CEH) is a uterine pathology that frequently affects female dogs and other female mammals. It is a hormone-dependent process which results in an over-proliferation of endometrial gland cells in the uterus occurs. Although it is not a serious disease in itself, it usually evolves...

Inflammatory bowel disease or IBD in dogs is a chronic inflammatory condition that can affect different sections of a canine's intestine. While we know the inflammation is due to the accumulation of inflammatory cells in the intestinal mucosa, the underlying cause is not easy to define. We do know there...

It should not be a surprise to cat guardians that coughing up blood is a sign of a health problem. Various underlying causes can lead to blood appearing from the nose or mouth. The threat to the cat's health will depend on this underlying cause, as well as the greater context of the symptom. For example,...

When kittens are born, they are not the same color they will be when they become adult. Even their eyes are not usually the same since all cats are born with blue eyes. Only later will different pigments develop. However, after 12 to 18 months most cats should be the color they will be for the rest of their...

Depending on the amount of fur your cat has on their paw, it can be difficult to tell if their paw is swollen. However, once the swelling is developed enough, it will soon be obvious. Even if you cannot see the swelling itself, there will be other symptoms depending on the underlying cause. This inflammatory...

Gastrointestinal disorders are commonplace with cats. Whether caused by physical or psychological stimuli, a cat can have various digestive symptoms which point to a problem with their health. These problems may pass after time or when the underlying cause has been treated. Sometimes more chronic symptoms...

Mastocytoma in cats, otherwise known as mast cell tumors, can be either subcutaneous or visceral. This refers to whether they develop under the skin or on internal tissue, respectively. Subcutaneous mast cell tumors are more common and are the second most prevalent type of malignant tumor in cats. Visceral...

Depending on their weight, length of fur and other factors, we may not initially notice a dog's lymph nodes are swollen. This symptom may only be observed when we pet them around the neck or if we see them struggle with a collar. Often this happens after the inflammation has become extensive. Before we...

There are many conditions which could cause a dog's eye to become red. Looking at the specific symptoms can help us to determine the cause. When there is inflammation, redness in the sclera (white of the eye) or the conjunctiva is red can suggest various infections and ailments. However, when blood...

Hookworms, similar to tapeworms and roundworms, are a group of blood-sucking parasites that can live in your cat's digestive system. They belong to the genus Ancylostoma. These parasites affect a wide variety of mammals, not only cats. They are known as ‘hook worms’ because of the hook-like mouth with which...

Petting and brushing our cat helps to condition their coat, strengthen our bond, and provide all-important affection. It also provides the opportunity to check their skin for any abnormalities. Sometimes inflammation and lumps can be seen when we look at the cat, others are only detectable when we feel them. As...

Ear problems are relatively common in cats. Felines may experience itching, pain, or discomfort to various degrees. As they are very hygienic animals, we should not confuse regular cleaning of their ears for scratching. When a cat has a serious problem with their ears, they will keep scratching at them,...

Eye discharge is a common phenomenon in dogs, just as it is with humans. What we might refer to as sleep, or even eye boogers, is something known scientifically as rhuem. Rhuem is present in the nostrils and mouth also, but it is particularly common in the eyes. While it is normally completely harmless...

It can be difficult to tell when a dog has a swollen throat. A dog's morphology means they have a horizontal body position with their neck and spine in alignment. They need to have strong neck muscles to support their head and to protect their throat. For this reason, when we see swelling in the throat...

Ichthyosis is a skin disease known for causing the hardening of the skin. This seborrheic condition leads to the appearance of grey scales, and it can also result in secondary infections, blisters, onychogryphosis, and hyperkeratosis. While it is a rare disease, it does affect puppies more than adult...

Cats are certainly curious, but when they see potential prey, they are not as scared as they sometimes should be. A small arachnid like a scorpion might seem no match for a looming feline, but the sting in their tail is a significant danger. Not only might a cat stalk and try to kill a scorpion, they will...