Animal health

Cats are resilient creatures. Although not immortal, they are agile, can withstand high falls and will defend themselves if necessary. Such resilience means they are also able to endure a lot of pain without manifesting obvious symptoms. While this is a credit to the cat's strength, it makes it difficult...

Before they become so popular as companion animals, rabbits had been used by humans in various cultures for their fur. The tri-layered fur of a rabbit's coat keeps the rabbit insulated against the often freezing temperatures of their natural habitat. While they will shed when the temperatures rise, they...

Feline hyperthyroidism is a disease which can often go unnoticed. The disease progresses and begins to affect hormone production in the cat incrementally. As our communication with our cat relies on observing their body language and behavior, there may not be much evidence of a change. This is at least...

A growth on a cat's neck can be due to a cutaneous of the skin or a subcutaneous issue which affects the tissue underneath. The former can present in a single lump or multiple bumps appearing on the skin. Under the skin, swelling of the lymph nodes are a common type of lump on a cat's neck. This swelling is...

One of the most commonly asked questions when it comes to natural remedies for dogs is, can dogs drink chamomile tea? Chamomile holds both antispasmodic and carminative properties. However, when giving any plant or medication to your dog, you should consult a veterinarian beforehand. Chamomile can be administered...

Is my dog sick? Is one of the most commonly asked questions among dog tutors. As a dog carer, it is incredibly important that you are able to recognize any signs or symptoms of illness in dogs. In many cases, if these such symptoms are not recognized or treated in time, it could be fatal. Therefore, it...

When it comes to your cat’s care, health is of the utmost important! If you notice anything abnormal in relation to your cat’s psychological and or physical behavior, make sure you consult a veterinarian immediately. Is your cat peeing blood but acting normal? Reasons for this can vary drastically. If...

When your cat shows any signs of illness, it's easy to grow worried. Unless there is an underlying illness you are already aware of, you can think the worst. Unfortunately, many symptoms have various causes, some more benign than others. If you see that your cat has a runny nose and is sneezing, you...

It is not abnormal for our dog to lick many things. Whether they excitedly lick our face when we return from work or licking the ground while out on a walk, these behaviors can have benign explanations. If you wonder why does my dog lick metal?, you may think the same applies. Licking metal objects every...

In this AnimalWised article we will be discussing everything you need to know about pulmonary edema in dogs. Pulmonary edema is the accumulation of fluid in the lungs and can occur from multiple causes, such as cardiomegaly or cancer. Finding out the pulmonary edema cause is key when prescribing the correct...

As cat caregivers, we know that digestive problems are a relatively common issue in felines. Causes of upset stomachs in cats vary. Treatment will always depend on the cause. If your cat is suffering from an upset stomach, diarrhea or vomiting, we recommend consulting a veterinarian as soon as possible. If...

A Dog’s vital signs include temperature, respiratory rate and heart rate. Dog vital signs are also commonly referred to as dog tpr (temperature, pulse and respiratory rate). These canine vital signs helps us identify whether or not our dog is healthy or suffering from an underlying illness. If you are a...

You may be familiar with prednisone as a drug for various human ailments. It has been used for everything from headaches and autoimmune diseases to heart failure and cancer. The dosage and side effects are specific to the individual clinical picture. While not all human-use drugs are appropriate for veterinary...

If you see that you have scabs on your cat, it means their skin has broken and is trying to repair itself. Unless you have a hairless cat, the hair will fall out if the skin breaks in this way. Any reason for hair loss in cats is worrying, but if you see wounds or scabs, there is particular cause for concern....

Enteritis in dogs consists of an inflammation of the small intestine. Intestinal inflammation in dogs can appear as acute or chronic. The main symptom of enteritis in dogs is diarrhea, which can originate in either the small or large intestine. Because canine enteritis causes diarrhea and vomiting, it...

Depending on the type of canine eye problem, it can be difficult to observe symptoms in our dog. If they have an infection, we can easily see swelling and redness of the eye. If they are having an internal problem which is affecting their vision, we may not be aware of the issue until it has progressed...

Although we may carefully monitor our cat's diet, it is still possible for problems to occur in their digestive system. Kidney stones are one such problem, usually resulting in a blocked ureter. According to the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital, a blocked ureter can be a common problem...

Mastocytoma in dogs is a common type of skin tumor in dogs which can appear either benign or malignant. Although it usually affects older dogs of any breed, brachycephalic dog breeds, such as boxers or bulldogs, are more prone to developing mastocytoma. Prognosis and treatment of mast cell tumor in dogs...

When we think of pimples, we might have the stereotype of an oily teenager with acne in mind. Dog acne isn't something we necessarily associate with dogs. This is partly because they are covered in fur and we might not even think to check their skin underneath. This is a common mistake guardians make with...

Although it may seem strange, checking and analyzing your dog’s poop is necessary in detecting your dog’s health status and/or any signs of illness. The color, consistency, frequency, quantity or any change in your dog’s feces can help you determine whether your dog is healthy or suffering from a pathology. This...

Have you noticed that your dog’s snoring has gotten louder? Are you wondering why your dog is snoring while awake? Sure, dogs like humans, do snore. But at times if the snoring worsens or occurs when the animal is awake, it could be a sign of pathology. Snoring in dogs is more common in brachycephalic...

A cat may make a wheezing noise when they breathe for various reasons. The noises can sound like choking, making us fear an emergency situation. If our cat's airway is blocked, we will need to find a way to make it clear, potentially saving their life in the process. Sometimes cats can make wheezing sounds...

If a cat is leaking brown fluid form their anus, it is most likely due to their anal glands. Although it will be coming from the anal area, it could be from these glands located just next to the anus itself. These anal glands serve very important purposes, including aiding in defecation and scent recognition....

Cats can act weird after flea treatment due to many reasons, including simple confusion at the application. There are some reasons why nervous, agitated or weird behavior can be a sign of a problem. The most significant is when it is a symptom of flea treatment poisoning in cats. Flea treatment is toxic...

Dog nipple discharge in pregnant or lactating female dogs is normal when the fluid is their milk. When this is not the case, it is usually a sign of an unhealthy dog. There are many reasons why nipple discharge in dogs is a symptom of a pathology, but the context is very important. Firstly, male dogs...

Have you noticed that your cat is rapidly breathing while sleeping? How about your cat breathing fast after giving birth? Breathing difficulties in cats or rapid breathing in cats is ALWAYS a cause for concern. If your cat is breathing faster than normal or is experiencing shortness of breath (dyspnea),...

When you say to yourself my cat's breath smells like death, you will need to make an important distinction. This distinction is whether you are asking if your cat smells very bad or if they smell like they are dying. While neither are positive signs for your cat's health, one is more worrying than the...

Vestibular syndrome is one of the most common cat diseases and presents very characteristic and easily recognizable symptoms. These symptoms include head drooping, staggering gait and lack of motor coordination. Although the symptoms are easy to recognize, vestibular syndrome causes can be very difficult...

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...

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...

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?”,...

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....

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...