Animal health

Guinea pigs, also known as cavies, are often considered exotic pets. However, their growth in popularity as companion animals means they are much more common than they used to be. Care and maintenance of exotic pets can be difficult as there is less research carried out and, therefore, less information...

Depending on where you live, the approach of the hotter months can change your routine and make daily life difficult. If this happens to you, it is important to remember it will also happen to your cat. There are various effects the increased heat will have on a feline. Even seemingly small changes in...

Our cats have a body which allows them to make various movements. An impressive ability is to move through small spaces which seem to be much smaller than their body should allow. They are able to do this, in part, due to a relatively supple spine. This spine also supports their skeletal structure and...

Some of us don't think it is possible for our dog to be sad. While they may get tired sometimes, their enthusiasm and gifts of affection seem endless. This means when they do seem to be down, it can be worrying. Not only can a dog be sad due to emotional stress, physical problems can also lead to a dog...

When we discuss parasites in dogs, many of us might first think of external parasites such as fleas and ticks. While we are aware of internal parasites, their interiority makes them less visible and it is only when symptoms develop are we aware of their presence. Even at this point, there are many symptoms...

Although they present as similar symptoms, coughing and gagging in cats are not the same. Coughing is a sharp sudden expulsion of air from the lungs, whereas gagging is more of a choking sound. However, when the two present at the same time, it can help us to better determine the underlying cause. Some...

Our cats are very hygienic animals which make great effort to ensure their grooming needs are met. While it is difficult to teach them tricks, it is relatively easy to train them to use a litter tray. This is because they want to ensure their waste does not cause their environment to be unhygienic, just...

The causes of green discharge in a female dog will depend on various factors, with whether they are pregnant or spayed being particularly important. Generally speaking, green discharge is the result of infection since it suggests the presence of purulence (pus). If there is a smelly odor along with the discharge,...

Diarrhea in guinea pigs is a relatively frequent disorder and does not usually result from serious harm to the animal. However, if the diarrhea is prolonged, chronic or particularly intense, it can threaten the animal's well-being. A veterinary emergency will occur if the guinea pig is severely dehydrated. In...

Part of the reasons why a puppy is so adorable is their vulnerability. An instinct in us makes us want to take care of them and for good reason. When dogs are young, they are still developing. This doesn't simply mean they are getting bigger, but important aspects of their physiology, such as their immune...

Is your senior dog struggling to walk? One of the most common signs of aging in dogs is weakness or difficulty using their hind legs. This can be caused by a variety of factors, ranging from wear-and-tear conditions like arthritis to injuries or even neurological problems. In this sense, early diagnosis...

Cats are naturally curious animals that often use their mouths to explore their environment. They are also known to eat parts of plants, especially types of grasses. Although the reasons for this behavior are poorly understood, it is believed they do so to help digestion. Unfortunately, there are plants which...

A dog's tongue is a muscle which performs various crucial functions. As with any muscle, it functions efficiently with regular exercise. Some of us may think our dog exercises their tongue excessively. Dogs stick their tongue out for various reasons, and it is rarely without purpose. Often, this behavior...

Our cats are very hygienic animals which dedicate large portions of their day to grooming. Most generally try to avoid water and will be very wary of any odorous objects or areas in the home. For this reason, when a cat smells bad, it can lead their guardians to worry something is wrong. Since a foul...

Hernias can affect various parts of a cat's body, with location determining certain symptoms and behavior. Some hernias may not show any evident signs, at least at first. This is the case with umbilical hernias in cats. The growth caused by the hernia will vary in size, depending on its severity. In some...

Syncope in dogs is the scientific term for fainting. When a dog faints they momentarily lose consciousness and their physical faculties, specifically their muscle movement. Although they only happen for a short time, they can be very worrying, especially if the dog keeps fainting over a long period of time. To...

Mirtazapine is a drug that is used in cats as an appetite stimulant. It is used when the cat has appetite loss, usually as a symptom of an underlying disease (anorexia). It is also used as the symptomatic treatment of nausea and vomiting. It is commonly used in chronic diseases that affect the digestive system,...

Dogs are known for their voracious appetites, but not all dogs have the same metabolism. Whether a dog loses or gains weight easily will depend on many factors, genetic inheritance due to breed being only one of them. However, when a dog loses or gains a significant amount of weight, it is always something...

The time which elapses between each puppy's birth will depend on various factors, including breed and the mother dog's health. Generally speaking, the longest time between puppies is around two hours, even if it is possible for a healthy puppy to be born after this time. The average litter contains around...

Vomiting is a clinical symptom of various pathologies. Although vomiting is most commonly associated with gastrointestinal disorders, many problems which originate from other bodily systems occur. Whether gastrointestinal in origin, these range from mild to severe. Some illnesses with throwing up as a symptom...

Panting is a behavior we most often associate with canines, not felines. Although dogs of all sizes will pant, it is often most noticeable in big dogs which pant with a large tongue sticking out. In comparison, a cat sticking out their tongue and panting is not something we associate as much with cats....

Cats are noted for their beautiful expressive eyes. While they can be of varying color, only albino cats will have red in their eye and not even all albino cats share this feature. This redness could be due to varying causes, but when the reason is blood in a cat's eye, it is the result of something...

Cirrhosis is advanced fibrosis of the liver characterized by loss of normal hepatic structure. This means the tissue of the liver itself becomes irreparably changed. It most often occurs as a result of chronic damage to the liver, leading to the failure of the regeneration mechanism of this organ. We may...

There are many reasons why a dog's gait will change. It should not be a surprise that older dogs start to lose mobility. As a dog ages, the wear and tear on their bones and joints will take its toll. However, when a dog loses mobility in their back legs all of a sudden, especially if they are not a...

Our cats have teeth which may look very different to our own, but they are made from the same material and function in similar ways. As with humans, cats will lose their milk teeth when they mature. They are subject to deterioration and are affected by food, although in a different way to humans. Despite...

If you notice symptoms in your cat such as bad breath, discomfort in the mouth, aversion to certain foods, or reduced appetite, it could be related to periodontitis. Periodontal disease is a condition characterized by the shearing off and degradation of the tooth structure at or below the gum line,...

Cholestasis is a condition that can affect the biliary system of dogs. It occurs when bile is unable to flow from the liver, whether due to a blockage or suppression of bile flow. This results in the accumulation of bile in the liver since it is unable to leave. Determining the specific cause of cholestasis...

We often don't register problems with a dog's reproductive organs until they have developed. Since these organs are mainly internal, the symptoms of a pathology or disease may not register until the later stages. Although the vagina is an internal organ, it is connected to the vulva, and we may see external...

Our cat's eyes can be very sensitive. Even small irritations can lead to serious consequences, especially if left untreated. Corneal ulcers are just one of the serious eye problems which can effect cats. Others include uveitis, cataracts and hyphema. Not all corneal ulcers are the same. Superficial...

As its name implies, Calmex for dogs is a product that contains different ingredients chosen for their relaxing properties. For this reason, Calmex is a product used to reassure dogs that are going through situations of nervousness or anxiety. In this AnimalWised article, we look at Calmex for dogs,...

Labored breathing (dyspnea) is a clinical symptom which should be concerning for any dog guardian. The appearance of difficult and forced breathing can appear all of a sudden or it may be a result of a progressive deterioration. Although a dog will often breathe through their mouth, especially if they are exercising...

A cat's eyes are not only revelatory about their ocular health, but they can point to issues with their overall well-being. When we see a problem like blepharitis, we should know it is a relatively common problem in feline ophthalmology. Among the main causes of eyelid inflammation in cats, we can see primary...

Metoclopramide is a widely used drug in human and veterinary medicine. It is widely used to treat and prevent nausea and vomiting and to assist in gastroesophageal reflux disease. Its various mechanisms of action confer different pharmacological effects to this drug, especially antiemetic, prokinetic, and...

Abdominal pain is a frequent reason for veterinary consultation among small animals. As dogs are expert at hiding their pain, we need to be sensitive to certain signs the dog's stomach hurts. One common symptom is trembling of the area, usually with your dog trying to prevent you from touching them....

Metamizole is a drug with analgesic, antipyretic and antispasmodic effects. It is more widely used in human medicine, but is being more commonly prescribed in veterinary practice. Currently, the only veterinary drug that contains this active ingredient is in the form of an injectable solution. However, there...

The synovial bursa is a structure around a joint which provides cushioning against trauma and general wear and tear. Since bones can cause friction when rubbing against each other, the synovial bursa helps to prevent damage from being worn down. When this structure is inflamed, it leads to a condition known...

Canine distemper virus (CDV), also known as footpad disease, is a viral disease that can affect a variety of mammals and is one of the most serious diseases dogs can contract. It is characterized by symptoms such as nasal discharge, nervous tics and conjunctivitis. It is also an extremely contagious...

Dogs often suffer from rhinitis, an upper respiratory tract disease that involves inflammation of the nasal mucous membranes or other damage to the nasal mucous membranes. Viral infection is the most common cause of sudden rhinitis or sinusitis in dogs. The most common signs of rhinitis include nasal...

Control of food intake is possible thanks to the interaction of gastrointestinal, nervous, and environmental factors that work together to maintain energy levels and body weight in animals. However, when an imbalance of these control mechanisms occurs, changes in food intake occur, such as polyphagia. The...

The tongue is an organ made up of various muscles which belongs to the digestive system. Different animal species will use their tongues in different ways and dogs have their own specific uses. For example, the tongue not only allows them to intake water and food, it is an essential element in regulating...

Elevated creatinine levels in cats are related to kidney disease. There are other symptoms which will usually present in the cat before a test for creatinine levels is performed. The reason for these high levels is partly due to impaired kidney function preventing the creatinine from being reabsorbed after...

Although they may make a purring sound when relaxed and happy, a healthy cat shouldn't make noises when they breathe. Unless a cat is obviously choking on something, strange noises during breathing usually mean a respiratory problem. Whether acute or chronic, the problem should be addressed so proper treatment...

You may have seen some photos of cats with an atypical appearance. Differences in appearance can vary according to breed, but some cats have an appearance which imply they have a genetic disorder. In fact, the features of some atypical cats appear to be similar to certain genetic human conditions such...

Diarrhea in older or geriatric dogs is a common reason for consultation at the small animal clinic. While dogs of any age may occasionally suffer from diarrhea, diarrhea in older dogs may indicate other medical problems. This is a clinical sign that can be associated with many diseases, not just the digestive...

Over the years, many caregivers notice behavioral changes in their dogs, often referred to as "senile," for which there is no obvious reason. These behavioral changes are referred to as canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome also known as Alzheimer's disease. While there is no cure, early diagnosis and...

Mites are small-bodied arthropods that can parasitize a variety of animal species, including guinea pigs. Mites can cause serious skin problems in your guinea pig, and they can infest guinea pigs of all ages and genders. In most cases, guinea pigs infested with parasites remain asymptomatic. Clinical signs...

Mites are external parasites that cause scabies. In dogs, the most common mite parasites are sarcoptic mange, otodictic mange, and cheyletiellosis. They all cause severe itching and require specific antiparasitic treatment. There are a number of home remedies for the treatment of mange that can relieve the...

Cats have very distinctive eyes. They can be of varying colors, as well as appear in different sizes according to breed and other factors. While their pupils can dilate according to changes in light, they should generally have a similar appearance. When alterations to the eye occur, it is a likely sign of...

Tumors are one of the many pathologies that can affect the liver of dogs. Although primary liver tumors are not common in dogs, the liver is one of the organs where malignant tumors arising in other parts of the body most often metastasize. Liver cancer can be a silent killer in dogs because obvious...

Pleural effusion is an accumulation of fluid in the pleural cavity, the space between the pleural sacs of each lung. There is some fluid naturally in this cavity, but when fluid builds up, it poses serious health risks. An abnormal buildup of pleural fluid can cause the cat respiratory distress. When this...