Animal health

A bump on a dog's ear is likely due to an issue known as otohematoma in dogs. A type of ear hematoma, it can greatly vary in size, shape, and texture, according to the individual dog. Not only do dogs use their ears to hear, but they are very important in maintaining balance. Any pathologies or other...

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...

Also known as phlegmons, abscesses in a dog's gum are bacterial infections that have been allowed to progress until they become purulent. The gum can become infected for various reasons but is often a result of tooth decay. In this case, a dental abscess can enter the gum. Its appearance is usually associated...

Bad breath in dogs is a very common problem. We often make the mistake of thinking it is something normal and do nothing about it. However, bad breath in dogs is not only disgusting, it can also be a sign of a health problem. Bad breath in dogs is often simply dismissed as "dog breath", but in reality...

Parasites are organisms that are able to colonize a host and feed at its expense. In the specific case of dogs, there are several parasitic agents that can cause disease. The symptoms associated with the presence of parasites in dogs vary greatly and depend mainly on the organs and tissues affected. If...

There are various types of tumor which can affect dogs. Adenocarcinomas are malignant tumors of epithelial origin that can affect a wide variety of internal organs. They are especially common in older and middle-aged dogs. The symptomatology associated with this type of neoplasm is usually non-specific,...

When a guinea pig eats her babies, it is too easy for us to humanize and even moralize their behavior. When they do something which would be seen as reprehensible to us, it can be confusing. Known as puerperal cannibalism, a guinea pig eating her young is perhaps one of the most acute examples of this,...

The popularity of reptiles as pets has increased exponentially worldwide. Among them, the green iguana stands out as one of the favorites due to its exceptional beauty and elegant appearance. As a result of keeping and breeding in captivity, this beautiful animal has developed a variety of health problems...

We can find lumps in dogs in any area of the body and with different characteristics. Most lumps and bumps are benign (non-cancerous), but some of them can be malignant (cancerous). The older your dog is, the more likely they are to get malignant lumps. The good news is that early detection and treatment...

Guinea pigs are becoming increasingly popular as pets, especially among young people. This is partly due to their relatively easy levels of care. It does not mean they are disposable, nor are they impervious to disease. As with any companion animal, maintaining the right level of care will help to avoid...

Like humans, cats can suffer from infections caused by viruses. Viruses invade living, normal cells and use them to multiply and produce other viruses like themselves. This can kill, damage or mutate cells and make your cat sick. Different viruses attack different cells in the cat's body, such as the liver,...

Both fleas and ticks are external parasites belonging to the phylum Arthropoda. Both live on and feed from their host animal, causing stress, irritation, and different health problems. They also can parasitize various animal species, including birds, mammals, and reptiles. Knowing the differences between...

The pupil is the black part of the eye in the center of the iris where light enters the eyeball. When the eye receives light, the pupil contracts, while it dilates when light is dim or absent. Although the name may not sound familiar, anisocoria in cats is a very typical eye condition in which the pupils of...

There are various substances in the home which are toxic to cats, but which are not common poisons in felines. The reason for this is because cats either do not have regular contact with the product or because they will otherwise stay away. The substances which are common poisons in cats are those which...

Gabapentin, sold under the brand name Neurontin® and others, is an anticonvulsant used primarily to treat partial seizures and neuropathic pain. It is usually used as an antiepileptic in dogs when conventional treatment does not produce the expected results, as well as to improve the treatment of cancer,...

Bees do not just make honey. They do something essential for the diversity of plants in the world: pollination. They are responsible for pollinating plants near their hives so that other pollinators, such as birds, bats or other species, can transport the pollen they collect from these flowers to fertilize the...

Hemangiosarcoma is one of the types of soft tissue neoplasms (cancer) most feared by dog handlers. Hemangiosarcoma is a common cancer in dogs and accounts for about 5% of cases. Because blood vessels run throughout the body, hemangiosarcoma can develop anywhere. It is extremely invasive and metastatic...

Famotidine is a drug that is also commonly used in human medicine. While it will depend on the country of residence, some formulations can be purchased over the counter. Many still require a prescription. One of the most common brands which uses famotidine as the main active ingredient is Pepcid. With...

Ebastine is a drug that is included within the group known as antihistamines. These drugs are very commonly used in human medicine and are widely used to treat allergy symptoms. They are common in many household medicine cabinets, but are incredibly varied in their action. This is dependent on their active...

To better understand leukopenia in dogs, we need to understand the makeup of a dog's blood. Blood is part liquid, part cellular. The liquid part is known as plasma and contains fibrinogen and serum. The cellular part is made up of erythrocytes (red blood cells), leukocytes (white blood cells) and thrombocytes...

Although a dog's paws are protected by a layer of keratinized tissue, it is still possible for them to develop a fungal infection. In fact, due to the greater contact a dog's feet have with various surfaces, they are one of the body parts which are most commonly exposed to fungus. Ringworm and yeast...

Mouth ulcers can occur in cats for a variety of reasons. These include plaque buildup to feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). In most cases, mouth ulcers appear as small, open sores in the cat's mouth. The most common symptoms are bleeding and pain, especially if left untreated. If you see ulcers in...

Tracheitis in dogs is a disease of the upper respiratory tract that causes inflammation of the trachea. The trachea is the tube that connects the pharynx to the lungs and consists of small rings of cartilage. The causes are many, and in most cases, the symptoms resolve on their own, or your pet may need...

There is no short answer to explain the reproductive cycle of a female dog, especially when compared to the human menstrual cycle. Although we often compare the two cycles, and while there are undeniable similarities, they are not the same. If you have ever wondered if female dogs menstruate or if they...

Canine discospondylitis is a spinal disease consisting of an infection of the intervertebral disk and associated vertebrae, which may occur in more than one location of our dogs' spine. Most often, the disease is caused by bacteria, but it can also be caused by fungi. Diagnosis is usually made using...

Leukopenia is a decrease in the number of leukocytes. Leukocytes, also called white blood cells, are important defense cells involved in innate immunity. They are the first cells to attack the infectious agents that threaten cats' bodies. Cats have five types of leukocytes: neutrophils, lymphocytes, eosinophils,...

Thanks to a diet of fish-based treats, commercial cat feed, and whatever they might discover out on their travels, even a healthy cat's breath isn't always the most pleasant of aromas. It can often have a little bit of a fusty odor which is not always the best when they are nudging their mouth near our...

Dogs lead with their nose. The olfactory sense of dogs is one of the most acute in the animal kingdom. It is a power which is harnessed by human guardians in various professional capacities, but for the dog it is the key to their wellbeing. It allows them to smell food for palatability, procure vital information...

Dogs suffer from inflammatory issues, just as we humans do. Unfortunately, much of the medication we take to ease pain and reduce inflammation is unsuitable for dogs. This includes some of the most commonly used medicines such as paracetamol and ibuprofen. It is for this reason veterinary pharmacologists...

External parasites in cats use their hosts to breed and search out new hosts. This means felines which live in groups are prone to cross-infestation. Cat colonies of feral cats often have high rates of infestation, but up to 29.6% of domestic cats also have external parasites. While ear mites are the most common,...

A dog presenting with a runny nose and trouble breathing is a common cause for veterinary consultation. In the majority of cases, the stuffed nose is a result of agitation to the nasal mucosa. The underlying cause of such agitation is varied. They include relatively benign issues such as the common cold,...

Ambroxol is a drug with a mucolytic and expectorant effect. This means it can be used to treat pathologies that cause a large amount of thick mucus, as it can be difficult to eliminate. Some precautions must be taken into account for its correct use in dogs. For this reason, it is very important that...

Some of us might be aware that activated charcoal can be a good addition to any first aid kit. This is due to its adsorptive properties which can be useful in an emergency situation. Specifically, it works to prevent toxins from entering the dog's nervous system in the case of poisoning. It is increasingly...

Normal respiration in certain dogs can sound noisy. This is the case with certain brachycephalic dog breeds such as the Pug. Even in other breeds, breathing issues can be relatively common. We can hear dogs sneezing or making strange sounds without requiring any specific medical treatment. Despite this relative...

If you are giving carprofen to your dog, it should only ever be under strict veterinary control. Carprofen is not an over-the-counter drug, so it will require prescription from a veterinarian. One reason for this is due to the strength of the medication which is used to treat various ailments resulting...

Doxycycline is an antibiotic widely used in human medicine which is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines. Its usage is also commonly prescribed in veterinary medicine as it is seen as an effective drug. This does not mean we can give human-prescribed doxycycline to cats. It is...

Calcium is essential for the proper functioning of your dog's body. There are a number of metabolic processes in which calcium is involved. For example, in nerve transmission, blood clotting, muscle contraction, and the activation of enzymes, all of which are important for the smooth functioning of...

Albendazole is a product with an antiparasitic effect, meaning it can be used to treat various parasites which can infest dogs. First introduced in the 1970s, it is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines. Despite this fact, it is not widely used in all markets. This appears to be...

We think of medications being used to counter the effects of a disease or illness, but it is important to remember they can also be administered for preventive purposes. Sucralfate is a drug with a protective effect for the gastrointestinal system. It can be prescribed both preventively or therapeutically,...

Albendazole for cats is a common and well-known product for its antiparasitic effect. Specifically, it acts against various types of internal parasites. Its current veterinary uses are more common as a dewormer in cattle, so it is not necessarily a deworming agent which will be prescribed by your veterinarian...

There have been many campaigns over the years for spaying and neutering programs for dogs. It has reached the stage where there are laws in place in certain areas requiring the procedure for dogs unless they have a relevant exemption. The reasons for this are for the benefit of the individual dog, as...

Spaying a dog is a form of neutering. This is permanent sterilization which prevents the dog from becoming pregnant with puppies. While there are some variations, the most common form of spaying is an ovariohysterectomy. During this procedure, the uterus and ovaries are removed. The benefits to the dog...

If your dog is squatting to pee, but is unable to, it is likely a physical health problem which is preventing them from doing so. A dog should pee regularly throughout the day to eliminate waste from their food and water intake. Female dogs squat down to pee, but we may see them squat without eliminating...

Some clinical symptoms of disease are more obvious than others. For example, bleeding is a visceral sign that something is wrong, even if it can be due to a wide range of issues. Other symptoms may be more subtle, but this does not make them any less important. In fact, some of the most serious pathologies...

A healthy dog's body is in a state of balance. There are proteins, bacteria, enzymes and many other important compounds and microorganisms which allow a dog to function. Some may not have a specific function themselves, but are the byproduct of specific functions. Not every dog will have the same levels...

Although every dog has their own personality, they are rarely lazy. Unless they have physical limitations, they want to explore, play and even just run around with no apparent goal. For this reason, when a dog doesn't want to walk, it is usually because something is wrong. Without a good reason to be tired,...

Weakness, lameness or trouble walking can occur in any of a dog's limbs. This can be due to traumatic injuries that can occur anywhere, but limb paralysis is most common in the hindlimbs. This is due to the location of the spine, since injuries or pathologies affecting the spine often occur further...

Azithromycin is an antibiotic for cats which is sold under various preparations. As with human medicine, antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections in cats. These infections can present in various parts of the cat's organism, such as the genitourinary, respiratory, oral, ocular and cutaneous systems....

Tooth pain in dogs is a common problem that can cause discomfort, irritability, and even affect their overall health. Dogs use their teeth for a variety of purposes, from eating to playing, and as such, they are prone to dental issues just like humans. Tooth pain in dogs can be caused by a range of factors,...

Commonly known as puppy strangles, juvenile cellulitis is a disease that is characterized by producing severe inflammation of the skin and lymph nodes of dogs. It is a rare, immune-mediated disease of unknown origin. Despite our lack of understanding concerning its causes, there are effective treatments...