Animal health

If you wonder whether a dog can get depressed, it might be because your own dog seems sad and tired. They might not have the same liveliness of their usual selves or there is some other change in their demeanor. The truth is that dogs can get depressed, but not necessarily in the same way as humans....

Chemotherapy for dogs, as with humans, is an intensive course of canine cancer treatment. While often successful in treating certain cancers, especially if diagnosed early enough, it can also be debilitating and painful. For dogs, they are unlikely to understand why they are being made so ill, even if...

Enteritis in dogs consists of an inflammation of the small intestine. Intestinal inflammation in dogs can appear as acute or chronic. The main symptom of enteritis in dogs is diarrhea, which can originate in either the small or large intestine. Because canine enteritis causes diarrhea and vomiting, it...

Have you noticed your dog squinting? How about apparent dog eye discharge? Although eyes have protective mechanisms such as a third eyelid or tears, they are still susceptible to alterations. These changes are often caused by climatological factors, foreign bodies, bacteria, congenital causes, etc. Any...

Although we may carefully monitor our cat's diet, it is still possible for problems to occur in their digestive system. Kidney stones are one such problem, usually resulting in a blocked ureter. According to the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital, a blocked ureter can be a common problem...

Mastocytoma in dogs is a common type of skin tumor in dogs which can appear either benign or malignant. Although it usually affects older dogs of any breed, brachycephalic dog breeds, such as boxers or bulldogs, are more prone to developing mastocytoma. Prognosis and treatment of mast cell tumor in dogs...

When we think of pimples, we might have the stereotype of an oily teenager with acne in mind. Dog acne isn't something we necessarily associate with dogs. This is partly because they are covered in fur and we might not even think to check their skin underneath. This is a common mistake guardians make with...

When our cat's fall ill, our hearts go out to them. Emotionally, we want to protect them and do anything we can to make them feel better. Practically, we need to take them to the vet to achieve a diagnosis and begin a treatment plan if necessary. Our love for our feline companions shouldn't get in the way of other...

Although it may seem strange, checking and analyzing your dog’s poop is necessary in detecting your dog’s health status and/or any signs of illness. The color, consistency, frequency, quantity or any change in your dog’s feces can help you determine whether your dog is healthy or suffering from a pathology. This...

There are several causes of sore throat in cats and it is a caregiver’s responsibility to be able to identify if their cat has a sore throat and how to treat it correctly. But what are the common causes, symptoms and treatment of sore throat in cats? You may also be wondering how to tell if a cat has...

Have you noticed that your dog’s snoring has gotten louder? Are you wondering why your dog is snoring while awake? Sure, dogs like humans, do snore. But at times if the snoring worsens or occurs when the animal is awake, it could be a sign of pathology. Snoring in dogs is more common in brachycephalic...

A cat may make wheezing noise when they breathe for various reasons. The noises can sound like choking, making us fear an emergency situation. If our cat's airway is blocked, we will need to find a way to make it clear and potentially save their life. However, sometimes cats can make wheezing noises for...

Unfortunately not all the interactions we have with our cat are head rubs and cosy naps. There are responsibilities we have as cat guardians which require a little more intimacy. Checking up on our cat's health means looking out for every part of them. Since parasites and gastrointestinal issues are...

Generally, the testicles of cats go unnoticed due to their small size and location. Both their tail and the pocket of fur which covers their scrotum can keep them relatively well hidden. It can sometimes make it difficult for us to tell whether a cat is neutered. This is why a cat's swollen testicles...

Cats are sensitive to certain chemicals, medications and even foods. Like humans, how sensitive they may be depends on the individual cat. When it comes to flea treatment, we need to be careful. The chemical used needs to be strong enough to kill and prevent a flea infestation. If it is too strong, it can...

Our dog's overall health and well-being is down to many factors. One of the most important elements is ensuring that we, as guardians, pay close attention to any physiological changes. If we see that our dog's nipple is leaking, then we will understandably grow concerned. Discharge from a dog's nipple isn't...

Have you noticed that your cat is rapidly breathing while sleeping? How about your cat breathing fast after giving birth? Breathing difficulties in cats or rapid breathing in cats is ALWAYS a cause for concern. If your cat is breathing faster than normal or is experiencing shortness of breath (dyspnea),...

When you say to yourself my cat's breath smells like death, you will need to make an important distinction. This distinction is whether you are asking if your cat smells very bad or if they smell like they are dying. While neither are positive signs for your cat's health, one is more worrying than the...

Vestibular syndrome is one of the most common cat diseases and presents very characteristic and easily recognizable symptoms. These symptoms include head drooping, staggering gait and lack of motor coordination. Although the symptoms are easy to recognize, vestibular syndrome causes can be very difficult...

Much is written about caring for a cat during pregnancy and what to do during the delivery. Understandably, we also talk a lot about how to look after the newborn kittens once they have entered into the world. However, many articles neglect to mention what happens to the mother after birth. With the...

Once you have adopted a new kitten, the process of introducing them to a new home, preparing their basic care needs and simply adjusting to the new force of nature in your life can take some getting used to. Fortunately, this is also an exciting time and it's a privilege to get to know your new friend....

Keratitis in dogs is an ocular disorder that appears as corneal inflammation in dogs, often caused by several different things. Eyes in any animals are incredibly sensitive organs, susceptible to pathologies that will almost always require treatment. If not treated, these such pathologies can result...

When a cat passes out, we will understandably grow concerned. Losing consciousness, even temporarily, is a sign of a problem. Whether this is a serious or minor health problem, finding out why is my cat fainting? is imperative. If there is a serious disease, then we need to achieve a diagnosis to find...

If you share your home with one or more hamsters, you’ll already know that these animals have an insatiable appetite. This is why hamsters often gain weight quickly and are prone to obesity. If your hamster is not eating or drinking, it’s not normal. A hamster not eating is in fact a cause for concern. Lack...

Have you notice that your dog won’t eat or drink? This is naturally a worrisome sign. The absence of appetite in dogs may indicating the presence of a pathology. In fact, if your dog IS NOT hungry, it is a common symptom of several diseases. Have you noticed that your dog won’t eat dry food or any food...

Mites are hematophagous ectoparasites, part of a subclass of tiny sized arachnids. They are ectoparasites because they live off of the outside of their host and are hematophagous because they feed on said host's blood for sustenance. They are recognized as one of the world's most common allergens, i.e....

Anyone entrusted with the care of a dog knows that vomiting is an occupational hazard. It can happen seemingly without warning, but this doesn't mean there isn't a reason behind it. Often this reason is relatively benign. It is a reflex action which can be prompted by a full stomach or rich food. However,...

The characteristics of your cat's stool can provide you with a lot of information about your cat’s health. Have you noticed green cat poop in your garden? How about blood in your cat poop? The color of your cat’s stool can tell you whether or not your cat is ill. If you notice anything strange in your...

As winter approaches, many dog guardians can wonder how the cold will affect their dog. They will want to protect their canine pals from a very low body temperature and the related concerns brought about by wold weather. Although some dogs are better protected from the cold than others, such as the Siberian...

Have you noticed that all of a sudden my cat can’t walk? Are you wondering about the common causes that may explain why your cat can’t walk or why your cat is struggling to walk? Although the reasons that cause this difficulty are not always serious, it is usually necessary to go to your veterinarian...

Rhinitis in cats is a relatively common disorder in cats. Rhinitis in cats is often related to viruses that cause respiratory problems, such as herpes virus or feline calicivirus. Rhinitis or sinusitis in cats has several causes, which can make it difficult to diagnose. If you are wanting to know more...

Our cat's groom themselves a lot. They are famous for it. And they really know how to reach everywhere. It is not uncommon for them to spend what seems like an impolite amount of time grooming their genital region. However, since this area can get messier than others, it is a normal and healthy activity....

Horner’s syndrome in cats is a neurological disorder that consists of a set of symptoms that affect a cat’s nervous system. This disorder is cause by a dysfunction of the cat’s sympathetic nervous system. Horner’s syndrome can affect cats of all ages. This common neurological disorder in cats can be...

If your cat cannot pee or poo you should go to a veterinarian immediately. In order to maintain an adequate health status, a cat needs to eliminate urine and feces. If a cat can’t pee or poop, toxic substances will accumulate in its body and can result in serious feline health problems. If you notice that your...

Sporadic vomiting in cats is common. However, if your cat is vomiting weekly or daily, there is cause for concern. Is your cat vomiting white foam? Frequent vomiting in cats can be a symptom of several types of diseases. If your cat is vomiting consistently after eating, make sure to consult your veterinarian- Vomiting...

Leishmaniasis in dogs is a diseases caused by a protozan parasite( Leishmania). This leishmania is transmitted by a mosquito that feeds on blood. You can give your dog a leishmania vaccine to prevent the appearance of leishmaniasis in dogs. However, if your dog is already suffering from this disease, you...

You don't necessarily notice a problem in your dog's back legs immediately. It could be that a dog doesn't start losing control of their back legs suddenly. Instead, they may develop weak back legs over a long period of time, gradually losing control. If your dog is starting to lose control over their...

Caring for our dogs requires a closeness which has many positives. We get to share their excitement, feel their love and eventually become like family. Unfortunately, our responsibility of care also requires us to look at their stool. It is not uncommon for a dog to get diarrhea at some point. While it...

It is bad enough when our dog pees in their own bed. It is unhygienic and can cause discomfort for the dog. When a dog pees in our bed, it is particularly frustrating as the clean up is not always easy. It can ruin sheets and even damage mattresses. If you ask yourself “why has my dog peed on my bed?”,...

Rabbits are disease resistant to certain pathogens[1]. This doesn't mean they are immune to getting sick, but the process of domestication means they have a good chance at a healthy life when given the right care. Not a small part of providing the right care is the necessity of keeping an eye out in any...