Animal health

We can expect some blood to be present when a cat delivers her kittens during labor, a process also known as queening in cats. Born in amniotic sacs, the kittens will also be birthed with placental fluid, some of which may contain blood. Often this blood is the result of ruptured blood vessels, something...

Keratitis in dogs is an ocular disorder that appears as corneal inflammation in dogs, often caused by several different things. Eyes in any animals are incredibly sensitive organs, susceptible to pathologies that will almost always require treatment. If not treated, these such pathologies can result...

When a cat passes out, we will understandably grow concerned. Losing consciousness, even temporarily, is a sign of a problem. Whether this is a serious or minor health problem, finding out why is my cat fainting? is imperative. If there is a serious disease, then we need to achieve a diagnosis to find...

If you share your home with one or more hamsters, you’ll already know that these animals have an insatiable appetite. This is why hamsters often gain weight quickly and are prone to obesity. If your hamster is not eating or drinking, it’s not normal. A hamster not eating is in fact a cause for concern. Lack...

Have you notice that your dog won’t eat or drink? This is naturally a worrisome sign. The absence of appetite in dogs may indicating the presence of a pathology. In fact, if your dog IS NOT hungry, it is a common symptom of several diseases. Have you noticed that your dog won’t eat dry food or any food...

Mites are hematophagous ectoparasites, part of a subclass of tiny sized arachnids. They are ectoparasites because they live off of the outside of their host and are hematophagous because they feed on said host's blood for sustenance. They are recognized as one of the world's most common allergens, i.e....

Anyone entrusted with the care of a dog knows that vomiting is an occupational hazard. It can happen seemingly without warning, but this doesn't mean there isn't a reason behind it. Often this reason is relatively benign. It is a reflex action which can be prompted by a full stomach or rich food. There are...

Seeing abnormal cat poop is likely a sign of a health problem. While it is possible psychological issues can cause changes in your cat's stool, it is more likely to be a result of physical health issues which result in gastrointestinal problems. Changes in a cat's poop can be due to color, consistency,...

As winter approaches, many dog guardians can wonder how the cold will affect their dog. They will want to protect their canine pals from a very low body temperature and the related concerns brought about by wold weather. Although some dogs are better protected from the cold than others, such as the Siberian...

If you have noticed your cat suddenly can't walk on their back legs, you will need to find out why. Some of the common causes that may explain why your cat can’t walk or why your cat is struggling to walk are very serious. If left untreated, we may risk permanent cat paralysis. This treatment is only possible...

Sinusitis in cats is a general term for inflamed mucous membranes of the sinuses, air-filled sacs which are located beside the nasal cavity. The purpose of the sinuses is varied, helping to filter air, protect against infection and more. It is often known as rhinosinusitis because it usually also affects...

You may see your cat push his penis out and lick it, something which can be a normal part of their grooming behavior. As very hygienic animals, felines will cover every inch of the fur they can reach to ensure they remain healthy and keep their coat in good condition. While they may do it for an amount...

Horner’s syndrome in cats is a neurological disorder that consists of a set of symptoms that affect a cat’s nervous system. This disorder is cause by a dysfunction of the cat’s sympathetic nervous system. In this way, Horner's syndrome is not a disease in itself, but a group of symptoms of which the...

If your cat cannot pee or poo you should go to a veterinarian immediately. In order to maintain an adequate health status, a cat needs to eliminate urine and feces. If a cat can’t pee or poop, toxic substances will accumulate in its body and can result in serious feline health problems. If you notice that your...

Sporadic vomiting in cats is common. However, if your cat is vomiting weekly or daily, there is cause for concern. Frequent vomiting in cats can be a symptom of several types of disease. To have a better chance of diagnosing the specific problem, we need to look at the context of the vomiting. This means...

Leishmaniasis in dogs is a diseases caused by a protozan parasite( Leishmania). This leishmania is transmitted by a mosquito that feeds on blood. You can give your dog a leishmania vaccine to prevent the appearance of leishmaniasis in dogs. However, if your dog is already suffering from this disease, you...

You don't necessarily notice a problem in your dog's back legs immediately. It could be that a dog doesn't start losing control of their back legs suddenly. Instead, they may develop weak back legs over a long period of time, gradually losing control. If your dog is starting to lose control over their...

Caring for our dogs requires a closeness which has many positives. We get to share their excitement, feel their love and eventually become like family. Unfortunately, our responsibility of care also requires us to look at their stool. It is not uncommon for a dog to get diarrhea at some point. While it...

It is bad enough when our dog pees in their own bed. It is unhygienic and can cause discomfort for the dog. When a dog pees in our bed, it is particularly frustrating as the clean up is not always easy. It can ruin sheets and even damage mattresses. If you ask yourself “why has my dog peed on my bed?”,...

Rabbits are disease resistant to certain pathogens[1]. This doesn't mean they are immune to getting sick, but the process of domestication means they have a good chance at a healthy life when given the right care. Not a small part of providing the right care is the necessity of keeping an eye out in any...

While we think of the popularity of rabbits as pets being a relatively recent phenomenon, there have been organizations dedicated to their rearing for over a century[1]. This increase in popularity has also lead to the need for more veterinarians to become specialized in bunny health. However, the first line...

If we see our cat coughing and wheezing, our mind can jump to many conclusions. The intensity and frequency of the choking sounds from our cat will determine how panicked we may be, but it's important to know something is causing it. Whether this is something we need to be worried about will depend on...

Rabbits lose fur for a variety of reasons, both physical and psychological. Although healthy rabbits will shed a certain amount of fur throughout the year, alopecia in rabbits is an amount of hair loss which is considered abnormal. It can be localized to just a small area or be generalized over the entire...

Have you ever wondered which are the most unhealthy dog breeds? And do you ever wonder why some dog breeds are healthier than others? If you are considering adopting a dog, their general health status needs to be taken into account. When adopting a dog, the breed you decide to adopt is always important....

The way rabbits communicate may seem mysterious at first. As we get to know them, we can see that rabbits will show signs of happiness, stress or even infection in their own way. It is up to use to ensure we interpret these signs carefully. When it comes to a rabbit's health, there are signs of an underlying...

If your cat is overgrooming, it can be a result of physical, psychological or environmental problems in your cat's life. To understand the causes and treatment of excessive grooming in cats, we need to look at the context of their behavior. If they have started to overgroom all of a sudden, it will likely...

If we see a dog's eyes are red, we should look to whether the eyeball is bloodshot or if there redness is from their third eyelid. This third eyelid is the nictitating membrane, located in the lower portion of their eyelid. If this is swollen, we will often see that the eyes are bloodshot also. Often...

We do not expect a female dog to bleed from her private area if she has been spayed. Also known as an ovariohysterectomy, spaying is a process whereby the reproductive organs of the dog are removed. This means the dog cannot go into their heat cycle, something which can be accompanied by a certain amount...

While the vast minority consider cows and sheep to be pets, the same can't be said for rabbits. Rabbits are still widely used as a food source, they are involved in scientific research and yet are a very common pet across the world. Whatever situation they find themselves in, if they are under the care...

Creatinine is a byproduct of protein metabolism in the muscles and it is eventually filtered out by the kidneys. This means that elevated creatinine levels in a dog are either a result of increased production or a problem in its elimination which leads to a build up. The causes of these elevated creatinine levels...

If you notice that your cat is bleeding from her private area, it is completely normal to feel alarmed. Generally, if your cat is bleeding from her vulva, it is a sign that she is facing a health problem. Cystitis, uterine infections, trauma or tumors, may be some of the main reasons that could explain...

Knowing the symptoms of prostate cancer in dogs will make you best able to catch this deadly disease early. Early detection leads to a quicker diagnosis and a better prognosis for the canine. Unfortunately, many of the symptoms of this disease do not manifest until the cancer has advanced. This is why...

A transmissible venereal tumor (TVT) can affect both male and female dogs. The sex of the individual dog is not as important, however, as their rate of sexual activity. If dog guardians want to know how to best prevent venereal tumors in dogs, then we need to stress the importance of sterilization. Neutering...

As with all mammals, a dog's liver is a vital organ and as such carries out functions necessary to maintaining life. Specifically, the liver removes toxins in the blood and passes them out as part of various biological cycles. For example, ammonia is converted to urea which is then exited the body via...

Anaphylactic shock in dogs is a veterinary emergency that requires rapid action in order to prevent it from having fatal consequences for an animal. This life-threatening allergic reaction can be avoided and making sure that you as a dog owner can recognize the symptoms is vital! In this AnimalWised...

The ‘E’ in E-collar stands for Elizabethan. Wrapping round the cat's neck, it provides a similar look to the late English queen and her penchant for wearing soft fabric ruffs. Unfortunately, if a cat is wearing an Elizabethan collar, it is not because they are looking for vintage style points. The E-collar...

Gastrointestinal issues in cats are fairly normal. Many will happily eat various items in their environment, whether inside or out, much of which can lead to problems with digestion. They may feel unwell for a while or even become a little bloated, but it is often nothing to be concerned about. However,...

Have you observed that your dog has been struggling to breathe? When faced with such a situation, it is essential to act quickly. When it comes to dogs and breathing difficulties, they are often related to pathologies that need to be diagnosed and treated as fast as possible. Respiratory difficulties in...

The syndrome of sensory deprivation in dogs and other animals consists of the development of fears and phobias that cause an instability in the dog. This instability this leads the dog to perform unwanted or irrational behaviors. These behaviors may include; excessive barking in certain situations,...

Testicles are one of the most sensitive areas on a dog's body. There are many opportunities where they can be injured, especially outside where there are many obstacles and unknown objects. This could be trauma due to contact with shrubbery or something else in their environment. It could also be irritation...

A dog's eyes are a very sensitive part of their anatomy. As with all mammals, their eyes have adapted to their environment over time. This means they are not as good at discerning detail as human eyes, but they are much better at seeing in the dark. This does not means their eyes do not need protection....

A dog's penis health is not always apparent. We may not pay much attention to that area of their body unless we are giving them a bath or if they lie down to expose their belly. This is why it is so important to observe any behavioral changes in our pet. If they are excessively licking their genital...

Warts on dogs can appear relatively frequently, especially as the dog ages. Warts are characterized as benign superficial tumors which usually do not have any serious ramifications for canine health. We do need to be careful as there can be complications if the dog's wart starts bleeding. The warts may...

Here at AnimalWised we often stress the importance of preventative action for the animals in our care. Vaccination schedules, deworming programs and proper socialization are some of the key aspects of this type of care. However, there are some occasions when, despite our best efforts, something happens we...

Beagles are one of the most popular dog breeds in the world. However, like any other dog breed, they can suffer from common diseases specific to their physiology. Beagles commonly suffer from ear, eye and skin problems. Beagles, despite being lovely, active and friendly pets, have an insatiable appetite...

With advancements in veterinary medicine and a greater general knowledge about canine health, dogs have a better chance than ever to live a long life. Unfortunately, with an older dog population come more diagnoses of certain diseases exacerbated by age. Lymphoma is one such disease. Lymphoma is the...

Although human beings can contract various diseases through birds, that does not mean that they cannot be kept as pets. The probability of contracting a zoonotic disease varies according to a space’s hygiene, our own body hygiene or the animal’s state of health. It is important to remember that regular visits...

It is relatively common that cats, especially if they are young, experience eye infections. Eye infections in cats should receive veterinary treatment as soon as possible. Although they can be treated easily, if left untreated for too long it can result in a perforated cornea, resulting in: blindness....

When a dog ingests a snail, it can be difficult to know the dangers. Since they can be very adventurous when it comes to what they eat, dogs may find irresistible some things we find completely repugnant, including slugs and snails. While snails are a foodstuff eaten in many cultures around the world,...

Urinary incontinence in dogs is defined as an involuntary evacuation of urine. Urinary incontinence highlights that of a dog losing control over their bladder. In such cases it is normal for a dog to experience, for example, nocturnal enuresis, that is, when a dog urinates in their sleep. You may also...