Animal health

If this is the first time you have a zebra finch, you will probably be very surprised when you notice it has started to tear out its feathers. This type of behavior, which can be quite scary for new owners, may be due to several factors. Are you wondering why does your zebra finch tear out its feathers?...

A hedgehog may keep scratching due to health problems such as skin disease or parasites. There is also some normal scratching a hedgehog when they go through a process called quilling. This is normal process, but it can be worrying for inexperienced guardians. Since hedgehogs are becoming more popular...

There are many common, daily things that can kill your cat, and some can be found in your own home without you realizing. If you are a new cat owner, or if you're thinking about adopting a cat, it is essential for you to do some research and learn how to identify the most dangerous items, foods and plants...

The most common Persian cat health issues are related to their genetics. The selective breeding of Persian cats not only result in desirable physical traits such as long hair, they also limit their genetic diversity. Doing so means that certain conditions are passed on from one generation to another....

Are thinking about adopting a Bull Terrier? You've made the right choice - Bull Terriers are strong, muscular dogs known for being brave, smart and friendly. These dogs require the company of their human family to the point that if they spend much time alone they can end up developing stress, depression...

The idea of having siblings cross breed is not just a bad practice. It is an irresponsible action with unpredictable consequences. However, it happens a lot more than we might think. Professional dog breeders use this resource for various reasons that we will disclose later. Being an unwise practice,...

As occurs in males of most species, even in human beings, there is a stage in which testicles must descend from the abdominal cavity into the scrotal bag. Sometimes we may have doubts regarding the correct timing for this, if it varies between species, quality of life or diet. Surely these and other...

Birds are very sensitive and complex animals. Their legs are particularly fragile, and they can fracture fairly easily from a hit or a bad fall. In this AnimalWised article we will share the first aid steps you should take to help a bird that has suffered a fracture, since it is often difficult to find an...

Toxoplasmosis is an infectious disease that can affect cats as well as dogs. The disease can be worrying if the cat's owner is pregnant; although it's difficult, the disease might be transmitted to the fetus. If someone at home is pregnant and you suspect your cat has toxoplasmosis, go to the doctor and the...

Like us, our canine friends also have a pancreas, a vital organ for the correct functioning of their digestive system. The pancreas affects the whole organism, as it releases glucagon and insulin, two hormones related to the metabolism of carbohydrates. Therefore, a change in your dog's nutrition will...

Who said that cats are unfriendly and rarely look for attention? This is a widespread but completely false myth. Cats can become very attached to their owners, and their bodies are susceptible to multiple diseases; when your cat feels sick, it will turn to you for attention and care. Cats have a very...

Nowadays the world of pets is very diverse, and increasing numbers of people are deciding to adopt animals that only decades before wouldn't have been seen as normal pets, like iguanas, snakes, ferrets or different rodents, including chinchillas. Domestic chinchillas are rodents and, as can often happen...

We have always been closely linked to the animal kingdom. With most of the human population currently living in urban areas, it shouldn't come as a surprise that the world of pets is massively diversifying in order to suit our new lifestyles. This is a good thing: Even if cats and dogs are the pets par...

The German Shepherd is an extraordinary dog. They are considered one of the most intelligent breeds in the canine world, and they're famous for being great service and rescue dogs. However, such magnificence has a price. And this price is high: German Shepherds have too often been bred by inexperienced...

Also known as parakeets or budgies, budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus) are a type of small parrot which are common birds kept as pets. Although they are well suited to living in the home, they are not impervious to injuries such as a broken beak. We need to ensure we provide the right level of care so they...

It is very important to know about the external parasites that can affect your dog in order to quickly spot their appearance. Milder cases may involve discomfort and itching but, if the situation worsens, your best friend's life and health can be severely affected. Don't forget that if the infected dog...

The presence of blood in cat urine is a symptom that usually frightens owners, usually for a good reason. Hematuria - as it is known medically - is a symptom that may be related to various diseases, and one that requires an immediate assessment by a veterinary surgeon. In order to inform you and raise...

The Labrador Retriever is one of the most beloved breeds in the world; these dogs are known for being endearing and big-hearted creatures. Labradors love being showered with attention and hugged by everyone, especially children. Although Labrador Retrievers are overall very healthy dogs that don't get ill too...

Canine leptospirosis is an infectious bacterial disease caused by spirochaete bacteria of the Leptospira genus. It mainly affects the dog's liver and kidneys. Leptospirosis and is also a zoonotic disease, meaning that it can be transmitted to humans and other mammals. Many wild animals are common carriers...

When you notice something that something might be wrong with your dog's health, it's essential to go to the vet as soon as possible so that they can conduct an examination and determine what it is that is affecting your pet's well-being. These worrying situations might come down to mild conditions...

A canary singing every day is a sign that it is a happy and healthy bird - and it's lovely to hear. Besides having beautiful yellow feathers, singing is the main skill and attraction of canaries. This is why when you have a canary and you notice that it doesn't sing as much, or if it simply stops, you...

Feline parvovirus is the virus that causes feline panleukopenia. This disease is quite serious, and if left untreated it can end your cat's life in a short time. It can affect cats of all ages, and it's highly contagious. It is important to know the symptoms, and it's even more important to protect...

Both constipation and diarrhea are common symptoms that affect dogs. These symptoms indicate changes in the intestinal transit, which are also sometimes accompanied by deficiencies throughout the digestive system. Although these conditions are not usually serious for the dogs, they may be caused by diseases...

You should never forget that your beloved cat is still a predator and its body has perfectly evolved for hunting. An example of this are its paw pads: a cat's foot pads are very sensitive, and this allows them to measure the temperature of a surface when they walk on it and to evaluate the texture of...

Maine Coon cats are great pets and very healthy animals. But sometimes these poor cats are adopted from breeders or shelters where they are not given the care they need. This is why it is very important that when you decide to adopt one of these beautiful and elegant animals, you are given all the...

If you welcome a pet into your home, you should be aware that it is your responsibility as an owner to make sure your pet enjoys a full state of health and well-being. This is very important so that their body can function properly and they can live a long and happy life by your side. Did you know that...

Pine processionary (Thaumetopea pityocampa) is a very particular kind of moth; its life cycle includes, of course, a caterpillar stage, which has a well-known behavior. During the process of metamorphosis, these dangerous insects walk down from the pines where they had nested in columns, creating an actual...

Many people decide to open their homes to a tortoise, since this animal can easily be kept as a pet as long as it is properly looked after. Always bear in mind the need for a large space where the tortoise can walk and exercise freely. In addition, tortoises can even live well into their 80s, depending...

The American Akita is a breed loved for its great loyalty and fidelity. There are few breeds which show their human families as much devotion as this dog, which also has some equally striking physical characteristics due to its sturdy frame. Taking in an American Akita is a big responsibility; training...

Feline leukemia is a disease caused by feline leukemia virus (FeLV), which suppresses a cat's immune system. This virus directly target’s a cat’s white blood cells, resulting in a decrease of defenses. The feline leukemia virus puts a cat at a higher risk of contracting infections and additional complications. Feline...

When a rabbit's teeth are overgrown, they are said to have malocclusion. This because the teeth become misaligned between the upper and lower jaw. It is something which can cause serious trouble in the rabbit and even be fatal if not treated. Wild rabbits rarely develop malocclusion because their diet...

Leukemia is a form of cancer that affects the victim's bloodstream; starting from the bone marrow, it multiplies the number of white blood cells. It's a very serious condition, and it can be fatal for your dog if not detected early enough. This AnimalWised article will tell you all you need to know about...

Many of the diseases that humans suffer from can also be suffered by dogs. In the case of glaucoma, it has devastating effects which can cause your pet to go blind. It's important to know about certain aspects of a disease if your pet is suffering from it, and to always follow the vet's advice. Read up...

Ectropion is a canine disease in which the eyelid rolls outwards, exposing the inside of the eyelid. With the conjunctiva - inner eyelid - being exposed, the dog is prone to suffering eye problems of various types, and even runs the risk of losing its sight. This disease has different possible causes. A...

Betta fish puff up as part of their natural behavior, often as a result of their highly aggressive nature. This is often the case for betta fish which share an aquarium with other fish species, some of which should not be allowed to remain in the same tank together. However, there are also pathological...

Homeopathy is an increasingly popular natural therapy for both humans and animals. This is so because of several reasons, among which we can highlight its effectiveness and excellent safety conditions, since homeopathy doesn't cause any adverse or side effects. In this AnimalWised article we'll delve...

Have you ever wondered why cats adopted from kennels or animal shelters are always neutered? The answer is simple: Neutering or spaying a cat can prevent many infectious diseases, eases the animal's behavior while elongating their life expectancy and prevents colonies of feral cats in the streets. Moreover,...

Feline coronavirus is a disease that concerns many animal-companions. As such, it's very important to be properly informed of its transmission, the symptoms displayed by the animal and the required treatment in case of infection. With recent outbreaks of the human coronavirus Covid-19, these fears have...

The primary function of a dog's anal glands is to lubricate the rectum for better deposition during defecation. Some people may refer to them as anal sacs, which is technically true as they are a sac which contains these glands within. If the sacs aren't cared for regularly enough it can suffer from infections,...

Fleas are a common problem in dogs and it's a really serious issue for many. These insects feed on their blood and cause itching, but it can be graver than that; fleas generate infections and can be carriers of diseases. They should be treated effectively and quickly to prevent all the complications...

When a dog is dehydrated, they will be in an immediate need of rehydration. Dehydration can be due to loss of electrolytes during exercise, hot ambient temperatures or even as a side effect to illness. When the dehydration is mild, we can use our homemade solution for dehydrated dogs from AnimalWised....

Despite the independent nature of cats, whoever has one as a pet will know they are faithful and beloved companions with which you can create a very special bond. Welcoming a cat into your home as a pet involves being able to meet all their needs in order to ensure a good quality of life. You also need...

There are anti-inflammatory drugs especially made for dogs, and it is not so rare to use them to heal our pets. In order to help you understand how to keep your dog healthy, we at AnimalWised will tell you what these anti-inflammatory drugs are, what they do, and explain what are their possible side effects....

Peritonitis in dogs is a disease that can become very serious, depending on the cause. For this reason, it has a difficult prognosis; its evolution and outcome are very hard to predict. For this same reason, in this AnimalWised article we want to explain a little more about this disease, its symptoms and its...

Canine mastitis is one of the most common conditions that affect nursing dogs or dogs that have recently given birth; it can even occur in female dogs that are not pregnant. For this reason, if a bitch is a member of our family it is important to know the symptoms that it can cause and the treatments that...

Hind leg dewclaws in dogs are vestigial digits which appear in addition to their normal four toes. This means we may see the dog has five toes on their foot, although it is even possible to see an additional two dewclaws. Known as polydactyly, this condition most often occurs on the dog's forelimbs. However,...

Canine distemper referred to also ashard pad disease or distemper in dogs, is one of the most common and deadliest contagious diseases among dogs. Canine distemper affects a dog’s digestive tract and respiratory system. In more serious cases it can also affect a dog’s nervous system. Distemper in dogs...

Conjunctivitis in dogs is an eye condition characterized by inflammation of the mucous membrane lining the inside of the eyelids. Sometimes the swelling may be accompanied by an infection. We will identify this as the eyes of our dog will normally become red, teary or present rheum. At AnimalWised we...

If you have dogs or you are thinking of getting one as an addition to the family they you will be interested in this AnimalWised article where we will address a very important issue that we must be aware of to ensure the health of our dog and even save its life in the case of accident. We are talking about...

Rabbits are susceptible to diseases just like any other pet, and that's why if you have a rabbit, or if you are thinking about getting one, you will need to be informed about the various vaccines available. There are two types of vaccines, mandatory and recommended, and they can vary from one country...