Animal health

The gurgling sound we hear from our stomach is often simply the sound of our digestion. It has the medical name of borborygmus and it is not unique to our species. We may hear similar gurgling sounds from our cat's stomach, sometimes more often than others. They can even be so loud they are funny, especially...

Seeing someone limp could mean many things. Perhaps they have had a minor injury, did not stretch before exercise or are simply feeling the effects of age. In most cases, a person will be able to shine some light on the reason for their hobble. With dogs, providing an explanation may be somewhat harder....

After eating too much or too quickly, it is common to see our dog with a swollen belly. Perhaps they have even been putting on the pounds recently and they are simply in a need of a little diet and exercise. However, your dog’s belly is swollen and hard, then these are disconcerting symptoms. The cause of...

Cats might engage in limitless mating if the opportunities arose. This is especially so with males as they can reach sexual maturity as young as 6 months of age. Although they may reach their sexual peak at around 7 years old, this does not mean they lose the inability to father kittens after this time....

The normal body temperature in cats fluctuates between 38ºC and 39.5ºC (100.4ºF and 103.1ºF). When the internal body temperature of a cat exceeds this top parameter they have a fever. A cat will have a fever due to their health being impaired, usually due to their body fighting an infection of some sort....

If your dog is pregnant, then it is vital you learn how to ensure they are well looked after. They will need more care and protection during this vulnerable time. Ideally you would have a vet on hand as soon as they start to go into labor. Unfortunately, the relatively short labor period in dogs means...

Scabies can affect a cat of any age or gender and they don't need to have bad personal hygiene to become infected. It is a very unpleasant and frustrating disease which is caused by an infestation of mites known as Notoedris Cati. This mite penetrates the skin tissue deeply and leads to itchiness, irritation,...

No cat of any breed is invincible. While some may have good genes and be provided with a loving and safe environment, the nature of illness means it can affect anyone, even if you're a cat. As pet owners, it is our duty to keep an eye on any issues our cat may be going through so we can find the right...

Vinegar is an effective method of eliminating fleas from dogs with mild to moderate infestations. If your dog has a serious infestation, then the fastest and most effective way to eliminate them is go to a vet immediately. They will provide you with the best type of antiparasitic product to work quickly...

Especially when temperatures rise, fungal infections in dogs can become more prevalent. This is because environmental conditions for a fungus can become more hospitable when there is more heat, humidity and other factors. This doesn't mean environment is the only factor. Hygiene, parasites, allergies...

Congestive heart failure is a big concern for humans as it is one of the biggest killers. We may not think the relatively tiny hearts of cats will suffer the same issues, but this is unfortunately not the case. Congestive heart failure is quite a self-explanatory term. The arteries and blood vessels of...

Dogs can be bathed after vaccination. Perhaps they have gotten dirty on the way home from the vet and you don't want the carpet becoming the same way. However, it is usually advised to wait at least a few days before doing so. This is something recommended by veterinarians. To explain, we'll show you...

While it is an invasive procedure, spaying your dog has a range of benefits. Their lack of ability to become pregnant prohibits the birth of puppies we don't have the resources to care for and thus reducing the cases of abandoned pets which need shelter care. Neutering also helps with their psychological...

If your cat is losing teeth, the first thing we need to know is whether they are a kitten or adult cat. When a kitten develops into an adult cat, they will go through many changes. As they reach maturity, they will develop a set of adult teeth, but will have to lose their milk teeth first. When an adult...

While it is biologically possible to breed a mother dog with her son, it is a process of dog inbreeding which should be avoided at all costs. Breeding such close relations can cause serious harm to the litter. Although they may appear healthy when they are born, they can develop serious congenital problems...

Dogs are a type of mammal, a group of animals distinguished by having mammary glands. These glands are used by females to feed their young. For this reason, it is common for a swollen dog nipple to occur before, during or after lactation because the breasts are engorged with milk. They can even become...

Blood in a dog's urine can be a worrying sign. It's called hematuria and is usually a symptom that your dog's health is impaired, possibly seriously. The most common causes can range from urinary tract infections (UTIs) to tumors, kidney stones to infectious diseases like parvovirus. Therefore, if you see drops...

When a female dog or cat is receptive to a male for mating, she is in heat. This is a stage of her estrus cycle when she is fertile and can become pregnant. Although they have an estrus cycle, rabbits do not go into heat like a cat or dog. This is because they mate thanks to a process known as induced...

Have you ever wondered why dogs go blind? It is common to see blindness in elderly dogs, but it can be disheartening to see it happen. It is perhaps even sadder when it occurs with younger dogs or puppies. However, it is important to remember that the inability to see doesn't mean they can't have fulfilling...

It is common for older cats to develop a range of diseases, often with lumps and deposits forming on different parts of their body. Unfortunately, just as in humans, one of the worst case scenarios is our cat developing cancer. Cancer is a disease which causes an uncontrolled division of cells in the body,...

Eye boogers is a crass description, but this doesn't stop it from being pretty accurate. Rheum is a discharge of mucus which is washed away by blinking. This means when they sleep, cats don't wash away this discharge and it collects in the corner of their eyes. The same thing happens in humans. It can...

There is no simple answer to the question how long does a dog live with parvovirus? The reason is due to the many mitigating factors. Parvovirus is one of the most feared illnesses of dog guardians, especially those with puppies. It is the young which are usually most at risk. If untreated, this disease...

How long it takes to deworm a dog depends on a few factors, mainly the type of deworming product your use, the age of your dog and how it is administered. What is not under question is how vital is this process for your pet. Getting an infection from a parasite such as tapeworm, roundworm, heartworm...

Cats can be very sensitive animals. They can be prone to anxiety and are often wary of their environment, usually more so than dogs. Despite such sensitivity, felines are often able to overcome stressful episodes and adapt to new situations. If the negative stimulus is one they have to contend with on...

Dapple is marking on a Dachshund dog similar to the Merle on other breeds. It is a spotting which can be very beautiful, causing almost mystical looking patterns on the dog's fur. Even one spot on a Dachshund's fur makes it a dapple. When one dapple Dachshund dog is bred with another, you get a dog known...

Occasionally, owners might hear some grumbling or gurgling noises coming from our dogs. This is, of course, unless you have a very gassy dog. This ‘occasionally’ might be more like ‘repeatedly’. The problem is, these internal sounds make it difficult to diagnose what problem, if any, might be affecting...

In general, a cat drinking more water than usual is not normal and is usually a symptom that something is wrong. An average cat weighing 4 kilos (8.8 lbs) should take approximately 180 ml/day, if they are overweight and also urinate a lot, it means that something is happening and we should go to the vet....

Sporotrichosis is zoonotic, or a disease that can be transmitted from animals to people.The agent of this disease is a fungus, which usually uses a wound on the skin as the perfect means to enter a body. This terrible disease can affect several animals, including dogs and cats! As it can be transmitted...

Leukemia in cats is one of the most frequent and severe viral diseases that affects the immune system, mainly in young cats. It is not transmissible to humans, but it is usually easily transmitted among cats living in feline collectives and feral cat colonies. In order to demystify feline leukemia and know...

Like us, cats can drool for different reasons and in response to different stimuli. Salivation is a normal and healthy phenomenon in their body, although it can be worrisome when it occurs excessively or suddenly. Did you ever indulge your cat with pampering in their favorite body parts and observe how...

Feline miliary dermatitis is a disease complex that manifests itself in cats through the appearance of inflammation and rashes with crust around different areas of the cat's body such as the neck, head, back and other places. If you notice that your cat has recently been scratching and has several patches...

Feline infectious rhinotracheitis is a very serious and highly contagious disease that affects a cat's respiratory system. This infection is caused by the Herpesvirus Feline 1 (HVF-1) virus and generally affects cats with a low immunity. When the infection is acute, the prognosis is rather reserved....

Also known as pseudopregnancy or false pregnancy, phantom pregnancy in dogs is a relatively common disorder in this species. It appears at the end of the diestrus cycle and is characterized by the manifestation of clinical, physical and behavioral signs. These are symptoms typical of motherhood, which...

Intestinal parasitosis is probably one of the main reasons why we go to the veterinary practice with our cats, especially when we have just adopted a young kitten. The presence of what we commonly know as worms in their feces is enough to diagnose their presence, but there are some less striking symptoms...

Dehydration occurs due to a water and electrolytes imbalance in the body of the cat and this can cause serious complications and even death if left untreated. When the fluid level is lower than normal, the cat begins to dehydrate. There are some signs that will help you to know if your cat has lack...

You may have heard of the use of Benadryl for humans, as it is a popular antihistamine medicine. While we may think of dogs as being the ones which cause allergies, dogs can suffer just like their human guardians. If we go to the veterinarian, there are different types of allergy medication for dogs....

The attachment dogs have with their human owners can be intense. This is partly due to the herd mentality bred into our furry friends. This means they are used to spending 24 hours out of their day with companions and, if they are your only pet, this means you and your family. If we add to this inadequate...

Do you think that your cat may have otitis? Are you sure how otitis may have appeared in the your faithful companion's ears? What are the symptoms, what does it mean and can it lead to further consequences? If you are interested in knowing everything to do with otitis in cats, carefully read this AnimalWised...

Anal or peri anal glands are actually a way of communication between cats, since the characteristic smell that they secrete gives other cats information on the cat's identity. It is normal for cats, both male and female, to empty its contents when they defecate, thus lubricating the anus. In other situations...

We all know of the genuine and independent character of cats, but the fact is that these domestic felines need all our care, as they are susceptible to suffer numerous diseases, as many other animals and humans can. This is why sometimes, your cat may need to take oral medications and some of them may not be...

Perianal fistulas in cats are a medical condition characterized by the formation of abnormal tunnels or tracts around the anal region. These fistulas can be quite painful and are often associated with other underlying health issues. While the exact prevalence of perianal fistulas in cats is not well-documented,...

Our dogs' ears are very sensitive to lesions. An otitis can cause our pet to go through a very important decay and anorexia due to pain and discomfort. Otitis externa can cause a perforated eardrum due to secretion and inflammation of the ear canal. The medical treatment varies according to whether...

Canine atopic dermatitis, also known as AD, is a chronic skin disease that causes inflammation or hypersensitivity due to an allergy. Affected dogs scratch and rub constantly to try to ease their discomfort. It mainly affects young dogs but can also occur in adults. Its origin is unknown but it is thought...

Eye diseases are very impactful on our pet because they may even affect their character, generating irritability and aggressiveness. In certain breeds of dogs, we must be aware that they are more likely to suffer certain diseases. Therefore, we must monitor them and pay special attention to the care of...

A female dog licking her privates more than usual could affected by their heat cycle, urinary tract infection, allergies, skin irritation or inflammation, behavioral issues, vaginal discharge or even infection or injury. It should be noted that licking their genitals is a normal part of a dog's grooming...

The average life of our animal companions has increased significantly thanks to the care we provide and advances in veterinary medicine. However, with the increase in life expectancy, we will have to learn to coexist with conditions that usually appear in geriatric animals. Whether the vet has detected a...

Like people, dogs burp to eliminate gases in their body. Usually it is when the dog swallows too much air as they have been eating too fast. However, if they are constantly belching this can be an indication that something isn't right inside their body. Likewise, chances are it can lead to a digestive...

Also known as parasitic diarrhea, Giardia or Giardtiasis is an infection that can affect both humans and animals. It is caused by a parasite called Giardia duodenalis and, as you may have suspected, has diarrhea as one of its main symptoms. This parasite is pretty common in dogs around the World so,...

Parasites, both external and internal, are one of the main enemies when it comes to our pets' general welfare and health. But if we stop to think about how annoying it must be to have tiny beings proliferating in our ears or skin, we can understand how important it is to know everything about mites...

Canine infectious tracheobronchitis, more commonly known as "kennel cough", is a condition that affects the respiratory system of dogs. It usually develops in places with a large number of dogs, such as kennels, hence its name. Formerly, this disease appeared only in kennels or breeding grounds with inadequate...