Animal health

Some people think the idea of neutering a rabbit is cruel. Their view may be that sterilizing the bunny takes something vital away from them. That it takes away from their freedom or rights as an animal. Rabbits have grown in popularity as pets in large part because they have responded well to domestication....

While we think of the popularity of rabbits as pets being a relatively recent phenomenon, there have been organizations dedicated to their rearing for over a century[1]. This increase in popularity has also lead to the need for more veterinarians to become specialized in bunny health. However, the first line...

If we see our cat coughing and wheezing, our mind can jump to many conclusions. The intensity and frequency of the choking sounds from our cat will determine how panicked we may be, but it's important to know something is causing it. Whether this is something we need to be worried about will depend on...

Rabbits are well-known for being particularly furry creatures. Some breeds such as the Angora have fur which is well known for its abundance, but there are no naturally hairless rabbit breeds. If we see a rabbit which is losing their fur, then this is indicative of an underlying problem. Whether this...

Have you ever wondered which are the most unhealthy dog breeds? And do you ever wonder why some dog breeds are healthier than others? If you are considering adopting a dog, their general health status needs to be taken into account. When adopting a dog, the breed of dog you decide to adopt is always...

The way rabbits communicate may seem mysterious at first. As we get to know them, we can see that rabbits will show signs of happiness, stress or even infection in their own way. It is up to use to ensure we interpret these signs carefully. When it comes to a rabbit's health, there are signs of an underlying...

Is your cat overgrooming? If your cat is licking everything or even if your cat is licking a specific area a lot, it may be a sign of pathology. Cats lick themselves naturally, in order to groom and keep clean. However, this behavior should not be excessive. If your cat licks itself raw, it is important...

In most cases, blood appearing outside of its designated location of vessels and veins is cause for concern. When we see blood appearing in our dog's eye, it is particularly concerning. While there may be some relatively benign explanations as to the cause of red eyes in dogs, it will always warrant...

The sterilization of a dog is an issue that worries many caregivers. You might already know about the advantages of this surgery, but with these, come some side effects of canine sterilization. These negative effects of spaying, castration or other reproductive alterations could, at times, result in a negative...

While the vast minority consider cows and sheep to be pets, the same can't be said for rabbits. Rabbits are still widely used as a food source, they are involved in scientific research and yet are a very common pet across the world. Whatever situation they find themselves in, if they are under the care...

When our dogs get older, it is not uncommon for their bodies to not function as well as before. This is an unfortunate, yet natural facet of aging. However, since bodily functions are affected by the condition of the vital organs, it is not always possible to determine a dog's health from physical examinations....

Hair loss in dogs can happen for a variety of reasons, both as natural processes and as signs of an underlying problem. The former can be due to various factors such as age of the dog or the time of year. The latter has even more diverse causes and we need to pay close attention to concurrent symptoms....

If you notice that your cat is bleeding from her private area, it is completely normal to feel alarmed. Generally, if your cat is bleeding from her vulva, it is a sign that she is facing a health problem. Cystitis, uterine infections, trauma or tumors, may be some of the main reasons that could explain...

In this AnimalWised article, we are going to discuss how to detect the symptoms of prostate cancer in dogs. Knowing the signs and symptoms of this disease mean you will be best able to catch it early. Early detection leads to a quicker diagnosis and a better prognosis for the canine. Unfortunately, many...

A transmissible venereal tumor (TVT) can affect both male and female dogs. The sex of the individual dog is not as important, however, as their rate of sexual activity. If dog guardians want to know how to best prevent venereal tumors in dogs, then we need to stress the importance of sterilization. Neutering...

As with all mammals, a dog's liver is a vital organ and as such carries out functions necessary to maintaining life. Specifically, the liver removes toxins in the blood and passes them out as part of various biological cycles. For example, ammonia is converted to urea which is then exited the body via...

Anaphylactic shock in dogs is a veterinary emergency that requires rapid action in order to prevent it from having fatal consequences for an animal. This life-threatening allergic reaction can be avoided and making sure that you as a dog owner can recognize the symptoms is vital! In this AnimalWised...

The ‘E’ in E-collar stands for Elizabethan. Wrapping round the cat's neck, it provides a similar look to the late English queen and her penchant for wearing soft fabric ruffs. Unfortunately, if a cat is wearing an Elizabethan collar, it is not because they are looking for vintage style points. The E-collar...

Gastrointestinal issues in cats are fairly normal. Many will happily eat various items in their environment, whether inside or out, much of which can lead to problems with digestion. They may feel unwell for a while or even become a little bloated, but it is often nothing to be concerned about. However,...

Have you observed that your dog has been struggling to breathe? When faced with such a situation, it is essential to act quickly. When it comes to dogs and breathing difficulties, they are often related to pathologies that need to be diagnosed and treated as fast as possible. Respiratory difficulties in...

The syndrome of sensory deprivation in dogs and other animals consists of the development of fears and phobias that cause an instability in the dog. This instability this leads the dog to perform unwanted or irrational behaviors. These behaviors may include; excessive barking in certain situations,...

Testicles are one of the most sensitive areas on a dog's body. Especially outside where there are many obstacles and interactions, there are many possible instances where they can be injured. This could be trauma of contact with shrubbery or something else in their environment. Equally, it could be irritation...

A dog's eyes are a very sensitive part of their anatomy. As with all mammals, their eyes have adapted to their environment over time. This means they are not as good at discerning detail as human eyes, but they are much better at seeing in the dark. Better vision in the dark is likely due to their wild ancestor's...

A dog's penile health is not always apparent. We may not pay much attention to that area of their body unless we are giving them a bath or if they lie down to expose their belly. This is why it is so important to observe any behavioral changes in our pet. If they are excessively licking their genital...

Warts on dogs can appear relatively frequently, especially as the dog ages. Warts are characterized as benign superficial tumors which usually do not have any serious ramifications for the canine health. However, we do need to be careful as there can be complications if the dog's wart starts bleeding....

Here at AnimalWised we often stress the importance of preventative action for the animals in our care. Vaccination schedules, deworming programs and proper socialization are some of the key aspects of this type of care. However, there are some occasions when, despite our best efforts, something happens we...

Beagles are one of the most popular dog breeds in the world. However, like any other dog breed, they can suffer from common diseases specific to their physiology. Beagles commonly suffer from ear, eye and skin problems. Beagles, despite being lovely, active and friendly pets, have an insatiable appetite...

With advancements in veterinary medicine and a greater general knowledge about canine health, dogs have a better chance than ever to live a long life. Unfortunately, with an older dog population come more diagnoses of certain diseases exacerbated by age. Lymphoma is one such disease. Lymphoma is the...

Although human beings can contract various diseases through birds, that does not mean that they cannot be kept as pets. The probability of contracting a zoonotic disease varies according to a space’s hygiene, our own body hygiene or the animal’s state of health. It is important to remember that regular visits...

It is relatively common that cats, especially if they are young, experience eye infections. Eye infections in cats should receive veterinary treatment as soon as possible. Although they can be treated easily, if left untreated for too long it can result in a perforated cornea, resulting in: blindness....

Dogs can be very adventurous when it comes to what they eat. Some of the most unpleasant looking things to us, seem to be irresistible to our canine friends. When it is our slippers from under our bed or a piece of relatively harmless garbage, we might not be too concerned. However, if we see our dog...

Epilepsy in dogs is a pathology which manifests as recurrent epileptic seizures. As caregivers, if we live with a dog that suffers from this disease, we must know how to act in order to avoid this aggravating and dangerous situation. In addition, one must be able to distinguish epilepsy from other causes...

Urinary incontinence in dogs is defined as an involuntary evacuation of urine. Urinary incontinence highlights that of a dog losing control over their bladder. In such cases it is normal for a dog to experience, for example, nocturnal enuresis, that is, when a dog urinates in their sleep. You may also...

Obesity is a common problem in cats, especially as they get older. Caregivers should know that this is not only an aesthetic problem, but can result in serious health problems. If you cat is overweight or obese, you should be able to identify this, in order to treat and tackle the problem accordingly. If...

Ragdoll cats are one of the largest breeds of domestic cat (they still don't quite rival the heft of a tiger) with males being larger than females. They originated in the United States of America from different breeds such as the Persian, Siamese and Birmese. In recent decades, these felines have become very...

Hamsters are rodents that have become very popular as pets. Although they require little space and relatively simple care, these rodents need special attention when it comes to their behavior and animal welfare. Because they serve as prey for so many predators in the wild, these animals are instinctively...

There are many diseases unique to the animal world which are not zoonotic, i.e. they can't be passed on to human beings. Your dog is able to carry certain diseases in this way. Sometimes, they may have a disease which both humans and dogs can contract, such as influenza. Although both canines and humans...

Rabbits are great companion animals. Rabbits are not however like dogs and cats, and therefore need specialized care. If you have a rabbit, you have to make sure you take it for regular veterinary checkups and offer it a quality diet. Knowing whether your rabbit is ill is incredibly important in making...

It's not that Basset Hounds aren't capable of expending a lot of energy. They are a French dog breed which was originally employed for hunting, so they are capable of chasing and tracking when they want to. It's just that most families with a Basset Hound know that they are their own dog. This is represented...

We might think that ligament injury is something reserved for those who engage in athletic activities on a regular basis. The unfortunate fact is that anyone with an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) can tear or rupture it, with many different factors contributing to the likelihood of it occurring. Our...