Animal health

Gastroesophageal reflux, more commonly known as acid reflux, occurs when the contents of the stomach and the duodenum rise above the esophagus. This is because they have passed the esophageal sphincter, the valves which normally prevent food from return back from lower in the digestive tract. The ‘acid’...

Chihuahuas are the smallest dog breed in the world. Although they can vary in weight and size, they have a small frame. We can often see their skeletal structures through their skin, as is the case with other breeds such as the Greyhound. Also similar to the Greyhound, Chihuahuas often develop a tremor...

Feline cataracts is a common eye problem in cats, especially as they get older. Cataracts is a disease involving an alteration and loss of transparency of the lens or intraocular lens which makes visibility difficult. Although some cats show no signs of decreased vision, especially if only one eye is affected,...

Our dog's ears act as an indicator of their well-being. As part of their canine body language, their position can tell us if they are angry, relaxed or in any particular mood. However, our dog's ears can also indicate something about their physical health. If they are warm, they might be telling us something...

Esophagitis or inflammation of the esophagus in dogs can caused by many factors, such as hiatal hernias, reflux, parasites, drugs and more. As a dog's caregiver, it's important that we can recognize the symptoms as soon as possible so as to bring our dog to the veterinarian to get properly diagnosed...

A cat's ears can change temperature quite frequently. Although their ears always have a lower temperature than their body temperature, that does not necessarily mean that our cat is cold. However, under certain medical or environmental conditions your cat may be cold, and too much time under these conditions...

The color, consistency and other properties of a dog's stool can tell us a lot about their state of health. If a dog's poop starts solid then turns runny, it indicates they are affected by small intestine diarrhea. This type of diarrhea in dogs can be caused by various pathologies or infections. Such...

Cushing Disease in cats, also called feline hyperadrenocorticism (HAF), is a serious disease in cats that is caused when the cortisol hormone is accumulated in excess in the cat's blood. With that being said, it is still a very rare condition, of which few cases have been registered and whose treatment...

Just like humans, cats can also suffer from allergies. As their caregiver, it's very important for us to recognize the common symptoms of allergies in cats. This way we can bring them to the veterinarian to be properly diagnosed and treated. In this AnimalWised article we're going to explain the clinical signs...

Feline hepatic lipidosis, also known as fatty liver syndrome, is the most common liver disease in cats. Although obese or overweight cats are more prone to this disease, any cat can suffer from this liver disease. In this AnimalWised article we're going to talk about feline hepatic lipidosis, its symptoms,...

Glaucoma is a degenerative eye disease that can affect the eyes of our kittens, causing the progressive loss of the sense of vision. Although it can affect any feline, it is usually more common among elderly cats. In this AnimalWised article we're going to explain what feline glaucoma is, its symptoms,...

Inflammatory bowel disease (often shortened to IBD), is a term for a range of diseases resulting in inflammation of the intestine. The cells which cause the mucosa of the intestine to become inflamed include lymphocytes, plasma cells or eosinophils. Feline inflammatory bowel disease can sometimes be...

Dexamethasone is a well-known drug that is used in both human and veterinary medicine. Its presence in home medicine cabinets encourages some keepers to administer it to their cats in situations where they would use it themselves. But this is a serious mistakeas dexamethasone for cats is different than...

There are certain products we need to keep on hand in any first aid kit. They are used to treat minor injuries and to help prevent emergencies. What we keep in them differs between animals and humans, although there are similarities. One product many people overlook is activated charcoal. This is a growingly...

Cats are very hygienic animals and will spend much of the day keeping themselves clean. Still, we should notice if they are spending too much time in one area. If we see they are licking their private areas almost constantly, we need to take a look. One reason for this repetitive grooming might be due...

Liver failure in cats appears as a result of certain liver diseases that affect the functionality of the liver such as hepatic lipidosis, cholangitis, amyloidosis or tumors, but it can also be due to extrahepatic or toxic diseases. In this AnimalWised article we’re going to explain what liver failure in cats...

When we observe any breathing trouble in dogs, it is a clear sign of concern. Proper respiration is essential for life, so any respiratory problems in dogs not only threaten their well-being, but their very existence. While respiratory problems can be related to the breed of dog (especially with brachycephalic...

Enteritis in cats is the inflammation of the small intestine. Whereas some enteritis is completely treatable and easily preventable, there are others that are more difficult to treat. In this AnimalWised article we're going to explain what is enteritis in cats, as well as the symptoms you should watch...

Although rare, cats can suffer from autoimmune skin diseases which includes pemphigus foliaceus, pemphigus vulgaris, pemphigus erythematosus and paraneoplastic pemphigus. In this AnimalWised article we're going to talk about autoimmune skin disease in cats, including the different types of pemphigus...

Also known as fibrous sarcoma in cats, feline fibrosarcoma is a type of soft tissue sarcoma which commonly appears at the injection site when hypodermic needles are used. As a relatively common type of cancer in cats, it accounts for 6 to 12% of feline tumors. It is a mesenchymal tumor, meaning it affects...

In this AnimalWised article we are going to talk about methimazole for cats, a medication that veterinarians prescribe for cats suffering from hyperthyroidism. When used correctly, this medication is very useful. However, one must follow their veterinarian's guidelines to avoid the side effects of methimazole...

There is a key difference between a cat having floppy ears and a cat having one floppy ear. In the case of the former, the reason is likely due to their breed. Some cat breeds have been specially bred to promote ear shapes different from most other domestic cats. These include long eared cat breeds,...

Any time you can see your cat's blood, there is cause for concern. If external, we might be able to look for bites or scratches which can heal easily. If internal, the cause is more difficult to determine and, in the majority of cases, more worrying. When a cat vomits blood, it means the blood is coming...

Hip dysplasia is the failure of the hip joints to develop normally, gradually deteriorating and leading to loss of function of the hip joints.

The color of a dog's vomit can tell us a lot about its cause. Whether relatively clear or opaque, the color of their vomit is not only determined by what they have eaten. The contents of the animal's stomach can include bodily fluids which shouldn't be in there, including blood. When a dog is throwing up...

Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency mainly consists of loss of functional mass of the pancreas in exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, or due to inflammation or pancreatitis. In this AnimalWised article we're going to explain the clinical symptoms of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency in dogs. We'll also...

When our cat comes close to us, whether sleeping on our lap or curling up beside us, we can use this closeness to monitor their health status. Unfortunately, some issues are more obvious to detect than others. While we can feel our cat's heart beating when they are laying on top of us, not all of us will...

Feline squamous cell carcinoma is a type of cancer in cats that appears relatively frequently, especially in older cats. The lesions caused by this cancer mainly affect the mouth, ears, nose or eyelids. In this AnimalWised article we're going to explain the causes, symptoms and treatment of squamous...

Feline herpesvirus infection is a common infectious disease in cats that is usually caused by conjunctivitis. This is why inflammation in the eye is a common symptom of herpesvirus in cats. In this AnimalWised article we're going to explain what herpesvirus infection in cats is, its causes, symptoms...

Many cat caregivers wonder what eosinophilic granuloma complex is, as these diseases are quite common in cats. This complex is a group of common diseases in cats that can be present in three clinical forms: eosinophilic ulcer, eosinophilic plaque and eosinophilic granuloma. Keep reading this AnimalWised...

Although we do everything we can to protect our dogs, they can get in accidents. Since they are often enthusiastic and rambunctious, it is not uncommon for them to get a scrape or two. These cuts and scrapes will usually heal relatively quickly on their own, although we always need to provide first aid...

Diarrhea is a clinical sign which indicates a cat has gastrointestinal problems. However, the causes of GI issues are extremely varied. Some are relatively benign and will clear up on their own in a short time. Others can be more serious and require veterinary medical intervention. Although diarrhea...

Permethrin is an antiparasitic product that we can find in different formats, such as in sprays, collars, etc. They all share the objective of killing fleas, ticks or mites. In this AnimalWised article, we are going to talk specifically about permethrin in dogs. We will explain what it is, how it works,...

Do you suspect that your dog has a fever? The best way to find out at home is by taking their temperature with a thermometer, but if you don't have a thermometer at home you may be wondering how to tell if your dog has a fever without a thermometer. In this AnimalWised article we'll tell you the most...

Is your cat's body temperature low? If so, they're probably suffering from hypothermia. This is when a cat's body temperature drops and they start experiencing certain health issues due to the drop in body temperature. These include, neurological problems, heart problems, kidney failure and frostbites....

Have you noticed an unusual lump on your cat's belly? Whether it is just one lump or more than one, this is one of the most common symptoms of mammary tumors in cats and should be taken very seriously. In this AnimalWised article we're going to explain the different stages of breast cancer in cats,...

While the idea of eating anything which has touched our bodily waste is repulsive, we cannot apply the same human hygiene criteria to animals. For example, some animals practice coprophagia, the act of ingesting feces, for nutritional reasons. Although cats might eat various things we consider unsanitary,...

If a cat suddenly starts to walk strange, it can be very disconcerting for their guardian. Some cats suddenly or slowly start to walk with a wobbly gait or stiff legs. There are various causes of this problem. Some of are due to the musculoskeletal system, others due to neurological problems. Cerebellar...

Cannabis oil for dogs can be a somewhat controversial topic as there's a lot of information floating around online. As your dog's caregiver, it's very important you learn more about this treatment and speak to your veterinarian before giving it to your dog as it isn't meant for all dogs. This is why...

In an emergency, knowing our blood type can be vital for doctors to help save our life. Humans have four different blood groups and we all belong to one of them. A 2019 poll showed that up to a third of Americans don't know what blood type they are[1]. As ignorant as we may be about human blood types, for...