Animal health

Avian infectious coryza is an upper respiratory tract infection caused by Avibacterium paragallinarum. The disease affects only chickens, especially laying hens and occasionally broilers. Reports of quail and pheasants probably describe a similar disease caused by a different bacterium. At first glance it appears...

Inhalation of toxic gases and vapors is a relatively common cause of poisoning in dogs. This is because of the prevalence of cleaning products, lubricants and other chemicals we keep at home. Whether the dog has accessed them out of their own curiosity or we have accidentally exposed them to a harsh chemical,...

Ivermectin is a long-known antiparasitic used for various purposes in different species of animals such as dogs, cats and even humans. Ivermectin's ease of use, broad spectrum of activity and wide safety margin make it an ideal product for parasite control in horses. The following AnimalWised article explains...

Internal and external deworming of dogs is recommended by veterinarians for almost every dog. The only exception might be if the deworming agent could cause them harm due to allergy or another health issue, but there is usually an alternative available. Despite deworming preventing parasitosis in millions...

As our puppies grow up, we need to ensure their development is progressing well. Some signs this is the case can be observed more easily than others. As with any part of their body, a dog's teeth change as they mature from a puppy to adulthood. While it can be a little painful for a dog's deciduous teeth...

Dogs are known for their sensitive ears. While the size, shape and texture of these ears can vary greatly according to the individual dog, they all serve the same purpose. Not only do dogs use their ears to hear, but they are very important in maintaining balance. Any pathologies or other medical conditions...

Veterinarians often prescribe cimetidine to treat acid reflux and gastric ulcers in dogs. Acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux is a digestive disorder in which stomach or intestinal contents enter the dog's esophagus. These substances irritate the esophageal mucosa and cause lesions in the esophagus....

There are various types of hair loss in dogs which will present differently according to the underlying reason. Normal shedding happens at different times throughout the year, something which needs to be differentiated from alopecia as a clinical symptom. When the alopecia is due to a systemic disease, pathology...

Hydrogen peroxide has been used to treat wound healing in human medicine for many years. Despite conflicting reports on its efficacy, many still use it for treating various issues and wonder if they can use the same product on their pets. Hydrogen peroxide is a compound that has been used for a long time...

Controlling horse flies is a never-ending battle year after year, beginning with the rise in temperatures. Flies have directly obvious effects on horses: they can transmit diseases, cause allergic dermatitis, irritate mucous membranes and delay wound healing. In the eyes, they can cause irritation so severe...

It is difficult to overstate the importance of proper footcare in our dogs. The skin on the plantar area of the paw pads is both resistant and sensitive. As dogs move, their paws come in contact with the ground which can be of various textures and materials. The paw pad itself is made up of fatty tissue...

Bacteria naturally reside on the tongue, tooth surface, oral mucosa and saliva of our dogs. When the bacteria feed on the food debris that the dog leaves on or between the teeth, they release acids that dissolve the enamel that protects the teeth from decay. When this enamel is weakened, the bacteria can...

Infections in dogs are common and can become very dangerous if not recognized in time and treated properly. Some of these infections can be more or less mild, but others can permanently damage your dog's vision. Infections in dogs vary greatly, and all require proper veterinary treatment to avoid major...

Cataracts are one of the leading causes of vision loss in both human and animal medicine. Rabbits are not exempt from this ocular pathology, but they can be more difficult to diagnose. Although their eye placement means they struggle seeing objects right in front of them, they have acute vision from...

As a companion dog, the Yorkshire Terrier has undergone very intensive selection. Therefore, this breed is usually very resistant. However, like any dog, it can be susceptible to genetic diseases. Here you will learn about some of the most common genetic diseases that affect Yorkshire Terriers, so you...

Alopecia in cats is a general term for hair loss which can have many causes. Most of these are physiological with various pathologies and conditions resulting in alopecia as a symptom. It is wrong to think that alopecia is only physical in origin. Psychological issues can result in hair loss. This is the case...

Ivermectin is a long-established antiparasitic used for various purposes in different species of animals such as dogs, cats, cattle, and even humans. Ivermectin is also commonly prescribed for rabbits. It is considered an endoparasitic because it fights multiple microorganisms, both external and internal....

Tramadol is a drug commonly prescribed by veterinarians to treat pain in dogs. This drug is also commonly prescribed to treat pain in humans. It is one of the few pain medications for humans that can be safely administered to dogs under the guidance of a veterinarian. But as always, there are some considerations...

Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata), also known as mayflower, purple passionflower, true passionflower, wild apricot, and wild passion vine, is a fast-growing perennial vine with climbing or drooping stems. It is grown commercially in tropical and subtropical areas for its sweet, seed-bearing fruit,...

Ticks are parasitic arachnids belonging to the mite superorder Parasitiformes. Ticks are external parasites that feed on the blood of mammals, birds, and sometimes reptiles and amphibians. These parasites not only cause itching and skin irritation, but also transmit dangerous diseases to dogs. We should...

Blindness in cats can occur suddenly, but usually the process is gradual, and the owner may not notice any problems until the cat is completely blind. Medical causes of vision loss include neurological problems, trauma, and cataracts. Fortunately, cats adapt very easily and compensate by developing the...

Like other animals, rabbits can suffer from a variety of ophthalmologic pathologies that can affect different ocular structures. Knowing the major clinical signs associated with these pathologies is critical for early recognition of an ocular problem, rapid action, and prevention of complications. If...

Canine leishmaniasis is a serious parasitic disease that can be fatal for dogs. For this reason, it is one of the main diseases which requires vaccination control in companion animals. Incidences of leishmaniasis do occur. Due to vaccinations, greater public awareness and other factors, we can best try...

You may not be aware that dogs have baby teeth. When your puppy matures, their dentition changes in a similar way to human beings. A dog's baby teeth, also known as milk teeth, primary teeth or deciduous teeth, are smaller and sharper than their adult teeth. They should naturally fall out of their own accord...

There are many drugs which are used in both veterinary in human medicine, but trilostane has a rare distinction. While it was previously used in human medicine in the USA, it has been withdrawn from such purposes. Since this withdrawal, it has been approved for use in veterinary medicine. Used mainly...

Urinary problems in cats are a frequent cause of visits to the veterinarian. Urinary tract issues can be tremendously painful and potentially life-threatening for cats. That's why it's so important to learn to recognize any symptoms of discomfort or inability to urinate in your cat, so you can seek immediate...

A cat's wound should start to heal as soon as it occurs. The healing process is a part of the feline's natural defenses which is vital to sustain life after trauma and other threats to their health. While healing is something we often take for granted, for a cat's wound to heal properly many different processes...

In a healthy dog, blood circulates in an orderly manner around the blood vessels. Since the transportation of blood around the body is vital to maintain the organism itself, good circulation is essential. Not only does poor circulation prevent the proper functioning of the cardiovascular system (and,...

The ophthalmic diseases dogs can suffer from are varied and can affect different eye structures. Lens luxation is a displacement of the lens inside the eye due to a tear in the ligaments that hold the lens in suspension. Lens luxation is a common pathology that affects the lens of some dogs, particularly...

Theophylline is an alkaloid of the methylxanthine family and is used to treat various respiratory diseases in dogs due to its bronchodilator effect. Although it is an effective drug, it causes widely varying reactions in patients, so the dose must be individualized in each animal and plasma levels of...

It is very important we take note of the color of a dog's mucus membranes. Similar to how changes in the eye can point to systemic health problems, when the dog's mucus membranes become pale or discolored it can mean they are suffering from a medical issue. The mucus membranes are transition tissues between...

Although it depends on many individual factors, a dog should drink around 100 ml of water per kilogram of their weight per day. We can sometimes see an increase in a dog's water consumption for various reasons. This is known as polydipsia in veterinary medicine. When a dog exhibits any physical or behavioral...

Dogs shake their body to get rid of water from their coat, shiver when they are cold or even from sheer joy. These are momentary episodes which do not continue for long periods. When we see the dog shaking regularly or chronically, it is a sign something is wrong. Persistent tremors in dogs can suggest...

Otitis is a relatively common problem in veterinary clinical practice. A general term for many types of ear inflammation, otitis manifests in itching, redness, excess wax build up and ear pain in the dog. This both causes discomfort in the dog, but also worry in the guardian. Despite its prevalence, otitis...

Although it can be fairly common, vomiting in dogs should be cause for concern with any responsible dog guardian. This is especially important when it persists for more than 24 hours and when we see other worrying clinical signs. In these cases, we need to take the dog to the veterinarian. Antiemetic drugs...

Chlamydia or psittacosis is one of the most common diseases in birds. Psittacosis is an infectious disease usually transmitted to humans from infected birds of the parrot family. Birds in the parrot or psittacine family include parrots, macaws, budgies, and cockatiels (budgies). There have been cases...

All male mammals have a penis which is used for reproductive purposes. While the basic function of fertilizing eggs with sperm is basically the same, the anatomy and other characteristics of the penis can vary according to species. The canine penis differs from many other animal species in terms of...

Phenobarbital is an antiepileptic drug that belongs to the group known as barbiturates. Due to its high efficacy, it is considered the first drug of choice to treat seizures caused by epilepsy in dogs. Its administration can cause the appearance of various adverse reactions, leading to a more intensive...

Meningoencephalitis is a neurological pathology that is diagnosed in small animal clinics with relative frequency. It consists of an inflammation of the central nervous system that can manifest with a wide variety of neurological signs depending on the affected area. Although we know its cause in some circumstances,...

Spondylosis is a degenerative process that affects the spine of dogs. It is characterized by the formation of bone overgrowths in the lower and lateral part of the vertebrae. In the majority of cases, the problem is a degenerative condition and occurs over a period of years. For this reason, spondylosis...