Animal health

Cats with gastrointestinal issues are some of the most common patients in veterinary clinics. This makes them a consistent concern for cat guardians. Digestive diseases have very characteristic signs and symptoms, but being able to discern between them is not always easy. This is because similar symptoms can...

The first months of a kittens life are characterized by rapid growth. For this kitten this is a time of discovery and awakenings. For their human guardian it is a time for both joy at this new life and concern that they get the best start they can. In cases where we think the kitten is not growing as...

It can be too easy to take the heart for granted. Its functioning is necessary for life, but its involuntary action means we don't have to consciously control it. This is why heart disease is described as the ‘silent killer’. When it comes to our own health, the symptoms can be very difficult to recognize. Unfortunately,...

On hot days or if they have just completed exercise, it is normal for a dog to breathe short and fast. They are breathing in to balance their body temperature and ensure they have enough oxygen to recover. This is a normal physiological process. However, accelerated breathing can have a pathological origin,...

Many people associate allergies and dogs with the effects they have on humans. Too few are considerate of the fact dogs can have their own allergy problems. While allergies can be infuriating for anyone, humans are able to go to a pharmacy and buy over-the-counter medication to help combat daily inconvenience....

One of the most common cat ailments seen in veterinary clinics is a gastrointestinal problem. With symptoms ranging from very mild to life threatening, better understanding the causes of digestive diseases is essential to maintain cat health throughout their lives. Unfortunately, since the problem stems from an...

There are many things cats do which we consider weird. They are part of normal feline behavior to which cat guardians eventually adjust. Some of these are characteristic of cats as a species, others are particular to an individual cat. It doesn't mean they are necessarily unhealthy or signal a problem...

Parasitic diseases are very common in mammals, caused by both ectoparsites and endoparasites. While the mode and symptoms of infestation vary according to parasite type, in the vast majority of cases they will require treatment. Cats are known for their particular hygiene habits, but this doesn't mean...

Not all symptoms of disease in cats are as obvious as each other. A cat may be seriously ill without showing any signs for a long time. Unfortunately, it is often the medical conditions which don't have obvious symptoms which can be the most-life threatening. A high lymphocyte count is something which can only...

Respiratory diseases in dogs are a relatively common veterinary medical issue. Paying attention to their pet's overall health and well-being is essential for any dog guardian. However, since there are many different types of respiratory disease in dogs, many of the symptoms are shared. This can make...

All behaviors have their motives, even if their impetus is an unconscious one. This means understanding said motives can help us to understand what a dog's behavior might say about their well-being. In this AnimalWised article on my dog walks in circles, we look at what causes might be behind spinning...

If your dog has black gums, it is important to know when this is normal and when it is a sign of a health problem. Poor dental hygiene is a common issue of the latter. Many oral diseases can worsen over time or, in some cases, lead to other pathologies. The moment we realize something is wrong with...

You may be aware that dogs often go somewhere quiet when they are about to die. For this reason, when you see your dog is hiding and acting strange, you may fear the worst. While it is a possibility we need to consider, there are many different reasons for this weird behavior in dogs. It may be a health...

Knowing the different skin disease which affect dogs is an essential part of their care. Identifying changes to the condition of their skin can mean early signs of serious conditions are treated promptly. Observation of the dog's guardian is crucial as this is the way we can bring an issue to the attention...

It is not uncommon to see our cat with an irritated anus. You may be made aware of the problem due to the cat's excessive licking of the perianal area. The acuteness of the irritation depends on the cause, with mild irritation not always requiring medical intervention. Some causes can develop into a rectal...

Dilated pupils in dogs, especially in bright light or if affecting only one eye, can be a cause for concern. If you notice that your dog's pupils become unusually enlarged, it is always best to seek veterinary attention. There are multiple reasons that can explain the pathological dilation of pupils in dogs....

If you see your dog's paw curling under itself, it is understandable to grow concerned. Since our dogs are usually so active and eager to explore, limitation of their movement results in a serious decrease in their quality of life. We may not even notice our dog's paw folding under at first. As the process...

Cats are primarily carnivores but, like dogs, they sometimes eat plants. This may be for the fiber, to get certain vitamins, or because they like the taste, although the exact reasons are not clear. While this behavior is usually normal and harmless, if your kitty ingests a plant that is poisonous to...

As with all living matter, the tissues which make up a dog's body will degrade over time. It is an unavoidable fact of aging. Since the brain is made up of living tissue, it is no exception. When leg muscles deteriorate, their physical ability to walk is affected. When brain tissue degenerates, it will...

The cat is a born hunter with great agility to chase their prey. It is their acute sense of smell which helps them to track this prey in the first place. Their sense of smell is not only useful when hunting, but helps them to know as much as possible about their environment. With such usefulness, anything...

If you witness a cat having a seizure for the first time, it is one of the scariest sights we can imagine in our pets. While seizures can be of varying degrees of acuteness, they are all worrying. The distress we feel when we see our cat having a seizure is second only to the anguish our cats will be...

Seeing your dog bleed, however small the quantity, is always a cause for alarm and concern among pet guardians. If you notice your male dog is bleeding from his private area, you are likely to be worried. This is especially so when there is no sign of a wound and you cannot tell the source of the blood....

Cats are well-known for their personal hygiene. They spend many hours of the day grooming to ensure a spotless coat which helps maintain overall health. In the wild, this is still very important. Their hygiene routine is not limited to their coat. They will also go to great lengths to ensure they urinate...

Some people may not equate a cat as having a 'voice', perhaps because their language is different from we humans. But a cat's vocalization is just that; their voice. Feline communication is diverse and particular, with their voice being a very important aspect. They use it in various ways to express an...

Feline bronchitis refers to an inflammation of the lower airway in cats, the most prominent symptoms of which are coughing and wheezing. However, coughing is a symptom common to many different diseases that affect cats. Even when the cough is caused by bronchitis, it can be either acute or chronic, making...

Different dogs have varying capacities for drooling. Much of this has to do with the shape of their mouths. However, the amount and consistency of any dog's saliva can reveal something about their health and well-being. If a dog's mouth is dry, their saliva will be thick and sticky. It is unlikely thick...

Like humans, cats can suffer from many joint related diseases, such as feline arthritis. This is a condition that causes inflammation and joint pain, among other symptoms. Arthritis is not easy to detect in cats because they are very adept at hiding pain, which can make it difficult for you to realize that...

The facial shape of our dogs varies greatly. Some have deer-like faces with long snouts and flat heads. Others have big round faces with lots of folds. In the latter category, it can be difficult to tell if a dog's face is swollen. This is why we need to be very observant when caring for our dog's well-being....

A mother dog's breast milk is essential to her puppies' survival in their first weeks of life. It not only provides them with nutrients, but also key antibodies necessary for developing their immunity. Therefore, if a mother dog is not feeding her puppies or abruptly stops nursing them, this can be serious...

Feline bartonellosis is a bacterial disease caused in cats by bacteria from the Bartonella genus. These potentially dangerous bacteria can cause infections and alterations in the organism of the affected animal or person. Bartonella is a zoonotic disease, which means it is contagious and can be transmitted...

If we can see a bump or lumps on our female dog's privates, we may grow concerned. The first thing that likely drew our attention is observing that our dog is licking their genitals more than usual. Unfortunately, this action can aggravate the problem further, even if the dog is only trying to relieve...

While domestic dogs do not need to use their claws for hunting prey like their wild counterparts, they are necessary for basic movement. They keep the dog balanced, allow them to interact with their environment and grip slippery surfaces. These all help to both maintain their safety and lead their best...

Metritis is something which can only happen to female dogs. This is because it is an infection of the uterus. A bacterial infection, it occurs during birthing or shortly thereafter. There are different causes of metritis, as we will see further on in this AnimalWised article. While we should be ensuring...

Cats can be affected by ticks in multiple ways. Normally, we tend to associate these parasites with dogs, but they can affect cats too. In addition, we often assume that ticks attach themselves only to animals, but the truth is that humans can also be bitten by ticks. Ticks are carriers of multiple diseases,...

Leaking fluid from a pregnant cat can be a normal symptom of their pregnancy or it can be a sign of a complication. Looking at the context of the discharge is vital to knowing when to take them to a veterinarian. During both the heat period and pregnancy of sexually intact female cats, vaginal discharge...

Our dogs have a habit of eating anything in sight. While their metabolism is strong and their sense of smell is unparalleled in domestic animals, it can happen they eat spoiled food. The result of eating spoiled food is food poisoning, something which can affect a dog in varying degrees. Some mild gastrointestinal...

Abscesses in rabbits are a relatively common disorder and can be more or less dangerous depending on their location and development. Even some large abscesses can be very treatable in certain situations. This does not mean we should ignore any abscess we find in a rabbit. However small, any lump in the...

It is easy to overlook rabbit constipation, because your rabbit may not show alarming symptoms, or may show symptoms that are difficult to recognize. This is why it is important to pay attention to your rabbit and make sure they are defecating regularly and without difficulty. Although constipation is generally...

Canine cystitis is one of the most common conditions faced by dogs. Often, the initial symptoms may lead you to believe that your dog is just misbehaving and you may not pay enough attention to what is really going on. To prevent your dog's discomfort worsening, and to be able to initiate the best course...

Worms are a relatively common problem in cats, especially in younger specimens. There are different types of worm infestations, but tapeworms are some of the most noticeable. The risk of contracting a worm infestation is much greater for outdoor cats as their environment provides more opportunities. However,...

Vaginal discharge in your dog is abnormal, depending on the context. For example, a pregnant dog will have some discharge if they are about to give birth. When a female dog is not pregnant or is not even sexually intact, vaginal discharge can be a worrying potential sign of disease such as uterine infection...

There are different circumstances in which you may need to dry up a dog's milk supply and stop them from producing more milk. This could be because she begins lactating following a false pregnancy or continues to lactate after her puppies have been weaned. It is even more necessary when the puppies...

A suitable first aid kit for dogs is recommended for all dog guardians. When it comes to dog wounds, their adventurous and often energetic nature means they can get in trouble easily. Whether they run over something sharp or get on the wrong side of an aggressive animal, accidents happen. Knowing the best...

Prednisone (or prednisolone) is a drug you may be familiar with for human use. It is also commonly used for animals such as dogs or cats. In this AnimalWised article on prednisone for cats, we explain what prednisone is used for and look at the dosage and side effects of this medication for cats. We...

Ketoconazole is an antifungal medication which is sometimes prescribed in veterinary medicine, although it is used on humans also. A relatively common drug, ketoconazole can be purchased over the counter. This means many animal guardians might want to use this product on their companion animals if they...

If we see a dog with a purple tongue there is a very important distinction we need to make. Some dogs naturally have a tongue pigmentation which appears purple, blue or even black in color. These are the minority of dogs, but it is a trait which is common in certain breeds. If your animal is such a dog,...

An expectant litter of kittens can make any cat guardian nervous. The birth of new life can also be an emotional and joyful time. If you have been anxious about your beloved cat bringing new life into the world, you will likely have done all you can to make their first day a comfortable one. This is why...

Vomiting and diarrhea in cats are symptoms of many different health disorders. They can often happen on their own, but even the two occurring together can be relatively common. While the problem may not be a serious one, vomiting and/or diarrhea in cats is a sign of a problem. To gauge whether this problem...

Amitraz is a product which is becoming increasingly well-known, especially in veterinary medical circles. It has been used to treat various conditions in dogs, but some animal guardians unfortunately give it to their dogs without a veterinary prescription. Often used to treat parasite related conditions...

Hyperthyroidism is not necessarily a condition we associate with dogs. Fortunately, this is because it is relatively rare. However, for dogs which are affected by this condition, their lives can be dramatically affected. This is why AnimalWised investigates hyperthyroidism in dogs and provides information...