Animal health

The time which elapses between each puppy's birth will depend on various factors, including breed and the mother dog's health. Generally speaking, the longest time between puppies is around two hours, even if it is possible for a healthy puppy to be born after this time. The average litter contains around...

Vomiting is a clinical symptom of various pathologies. Although vomiting is most commonly associated with gastrointestinal disorders, many problems which originate from other bodily systems occur. Whether gastrointestinal in origin, these range from mild to severe. Some illnesses with throwing up as a symptom...

Panting is a behavior we most often associate with canines, not felines. Although dogs of all sizes will pant, it is often most noticeable in big dogs which pant with a large tongue sticking out. In comparison, a cat sticking out their tongue and panting is not something we associate as much with cats....

Cats are noted for their beautiful expressive eyes. While they can be of varying color, only albino cats will have red in their eye and not even all albino cats share this feature. This redness could be due to varying causes, but when the reason is blood in a cat's eye, it is the result of something...

Cirrhosis is advanced fibrosis of the liver characterized by loss of normal hepatic structure. This means the tissue of the liver itself becomes irreparably changed. It most often occurs as a result of chronic damage to the liver, leading to the failure of the regeneration mechanism of this organ. We may...

There are many reasons why a dog's gait will change. It should not be a surprise that older dogs start to lose mobility. As a dog ages, the wear and tear on their bones and joints will take its toll. However, when a dog loses mobility in their back legs all of a sudden, especially if they are not a...

Our cats have teeth which may look very different to our own, but they are made from the same material and function in similar ways. As with humans, cats will lose their milk teeth when they mature. They are subject to deterioration and are affected by food, although in a different way to humans. Despite...

If you notice symptoms in your cat such as bad breath, discomfort in the mouth, aversion to certain foods, or reduced appetite, it could be related to periodontitis. Periodontal disease is a condition characterized by the shearing off and degradation of the tooth structure at or below the gum line,...

Cholestasis is a condition that can affect the biliary system of dogs. It occurs when bile is unable to flow from the liver, whether due to a blockage or suppression of bile flow. This results in the accumulation of bile in the liver since it is unable to leave. Determining the specific cause of cholestasis...

We often don't register problems with a dog's reproductive organs until they have developed. Since these organs are mainly internal, the symptoms of a pathology or disease may not register until the later stages. Although the vagina is an internal organ, it is connected to the vulva, and we may see external...

Our cat's eyes can be very sensitive. Even small irritations can lead to serious consequences, especially if left untreated. Corneal ulcers are just one of the serious eye problems which can effect cats. Others include uveitis, cataracts and hyphema. Not all corneal ulcers are the same. Superficial...

As its name implies, Calmex for dogs is a product that contains different ingredients chosen for their relaxing properties. For this reason, Calmex is a product used to reassure dogs that are going through situations of nervousness or anxiety. In this AnimalWised article, we look at Calmex for dogs,...

Labored breathing (dyspnea) is a clinical symptom which should be concerning for any dog guardian. The appearance of difficult and forced breathing can appear all of a sudden or it may be a result of a progressive deterioration. Although a dog will often breathe through their mouth, especially if they are exercising...

A cat's eyes are not only revelatory about their ocular health, but they can point to issues with their overall well-being. When we see a problem like blepharitis, we should know it is a relatively common problem in feline ophthalmology. Among the main causes of eyelid inflammation in cats, we can see primary...

Metoclopramide is a widely used drug in human and veterinary medicine. It is widely used to treat and prevent nausea and vomiting and to assist in gastroesophageal reflux disease. Its various mechanisms of action confer different pharmacological effects to this drug, especially antiemetic, prokinetic, and...

Abdominal pain is a frequent reason for veterinary consultation among small animals. As dogs are expert at hiding their pain, we need to be sensitive to certain signs the dog's stomach hurts. One common symptom is trembling of the area, usually with your dog trying to prevent you from touching them....

Metamizole is a drug with analgesic, antipyretic and antispasmodic effects. It is more widely used in human medicine, but is being more commonly prescribed in veterinary practice. Currently, the only veterinary drug that contains this active ingredient is in the form of an injectable solution. However, there...

The synovial bursa is a structure around a joint which provides cushioning against trauma and general wear and tear. Since bones can cause friction when rubbing against each other, the synovial bursa helps to prevent damage from being worn down. When this structure is inflamed, it leads to a condition known...

Canine distemper virus (CDV), also known as footpad disease, is a viral disease that can affect a variety of mammals and is one of the most serious diseases dogs can contract. It is characterized by symptoms such as nasal discharge, nervous tics and conjunctivitis. It is also an extremely contagious...

Dogs often suffer from rhinitis, an upper respiratory tract disease that involves inflammation of the nasal mucous membranes or other damage to the nasal mucous membranes. Viral infection is the most common cause of sudden rhinitis or sinusitis in dogs. The most common signs of rhinitis include nasal...

Control of food intake is possible thanks to the interaction of gastrointestinal, nervous, and environmental factors that work together to maintain energy levels and body weight in animals. However, when an imbalance of these control mechanisms occurs, changes in food intake occur, such as polyphagia. The...

The tongue is an organ made up of various muscles which belongs to the digestive system. Different animal species will use their tongues in different ways and dogs have their own specific uses. For example, the tongue not only allows them to intake water and food, it is an essential element in regulating...

Elevated creatinine levels in cats are related to kidney disease. There are other symptoms which will usually present in the cat before a test for creatinine levels is performed. The reason for these high levels is partly due to impaired kidney function preventing the creatinine from being reabsorbed after...

Although they may make a purring sound when relaxed and happy, a healthy cat shouldn't make noises when they breathe. Unless a cat is obviously choking on something, strange noises during breathing usually mean a respiratory problem. Whether acute or chronic, the problem should be addressed so proper treatment...

You may have seen some photos of cats with an atypical appearance. Differences in appearance can vary according to breed, but some cats have an appearance which imply they have a genetic disorder. In fact, the features of some atypical cats appear to be similar to certain genetic human conditions such...

Diarrhea in older or geriatric dogs is a common reason for consultation at the small animal clinic. While dogs of any age may occasionally suffer from diarrhea, diarrhea in older dogs may indicate other medical problems. This is a clinical sign that can be associated with many diseases, not just the digestive...

Over the years, many caregivers notice behavioral changes in their dogs, often referred to as "senile," for which there is no obvious reason. These behavioral changes are referred to as canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome also known as Alzheimer's disease. While there is no cure, early diagnosis and...

Mites are small-bodied arthropods that can parasitize a variety of animal species, including guinea pigs. Mites can cause serious skin problems in your guinea pig, and they can infest guinea pigs of all ages and genders. In most cases, guinea pigs infested with parasites remain asymptomatic. Clinical signs...

Mites are external parasites that cause scabies. In dogs, the most common mite parasites are sarcoptic mange, otodictic mange, and cheyletiellosis. They all cause severe itching and require specific antiparasitic treatment. There are a number of home remedies for the treatment of mange that can relieve the...

Cats have very distinctive eyes. They can be of varying colors, as well as appear in different sizes according to breed and other factors. While their pupils can dilate according to changes in light, they should generally have a similar appearance. When alterations to the eye occur, it is a likely sign of...

Tumors are one of the many pathologies that can affect the liver of dogs. Although primary liver tumors are not common in dogs, the liver is one of the organs where malignant tumors arising in other parts of the body most often metastasize. Liver cancer can be a silent killer in dogs because obvious...

Pleural effusion is an accumulation of fluid in the pleural cavity, the space between the pleural sacs of each lung. There is some fluid naturally in this cavity, but when fluid builds up, it poses serious health risks. An abnormal buildup of pleural fluid can cause the cat respiratory distress. When this...

Azotemia is the term used to describe high levels of nitrogen-containing compounds in a cat's blood. These compounds are mainly in the form of creatinine and urea, but other nitrogen-containing waste products can cause the change in blood composition. The underlying causes which lead to higher levels...

Dogs are curious animals by nature, often accidentally eating or sniffing things that may be poisonous to them and that may seem completely harmless to you. This includes various types of plants, both indoors and outdoors, that can cause poisoning in dogs. While some plants may only cause digestive...

For many cats, it is normal to have a thinner patch of hair in the area between their eyes and the base of their ears. As with humans, it is also common for parts of their coat to become thinner as they age. Unlike humans, most cats have hair all over their body. Despite this fact, the area above the...

Older cats are more susceptible to various ailments due to the natural passage of time. While there are ways we can best ensure their health and well-being, no cat is immune to these changes once they reach a certain age. Deterioration of the musculoskeletal system is one of the most obvious signs of...

Feline atopic dermatitis is a type of allergic response. When a cat has a hypersensitivity to a particular environmental allergen, their body reacts in an exaggerated way. These allergens can include dusts, mites, pollen, or other common environmental stimuli. These allergens do not affect those without...

Any physical symptoms or behavioral changes in our dogs which may indicate illness need to be understood in context of their situation. Various pathologies and health conditions can cause either a lack of appetite (anorexia) or an increased water consumption (polydipsia) in dogs. When the two clinical signs...

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...

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,...

All male mammals have a penis which is used for reproductive purposes and is part of their reproductive anatomy. 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...

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...

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...

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...

There are many drugs which are used in both veterinary and 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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...