Animal health

A suitable first aid kit for dogs is recommended for all dog guardians. When it comes to dog wounds, their adventurous and often energetic nature means they can get in trouble easily. Whether they run over something sharp or get on the wrong side of an aggressive animal, accidents happen. Knowing the best...

Prednisone (or prednisolone) is a drug you may be familiar with for human use. It is also commonly used for animals such as dogs or cats. In this AnimalWised article on prednisone for cats, we explain what prednisone is used for and look at the dosage and side effects of this medication for cats. We...

When a dog has trouble defecating, it can affect their both their mood and behavior. It is not comfortable for anyone, but it is important to realize that constipation is a symptom, not a disease in itself. Understanding the reason for their constipation is the first step in treatment. If we see other...

Ketoconazole is an antifungal medication which is sometimes prescribed in veterinary medicine, although it is used on humans also. A relatively common drug, ketoconazole can be purchased over the counter. This means many animal guardians might want to use this product on their companion animals if they...

In human's we associate lips or a tongue turning purple with extreme cold. However, whenever there are some dog breeds which naturally have purple or purplish tongues, it can be difficult to determine whether the dog's tongue color is a symptom of a problem or simply their natural hue. A dog's mouth,...

An expectant litter of kittens can make any cat guardian nervous. The birth of new life can also be an emotional and joyful time. If you have been anxious about your beloved cat bringing new life into the world, you will likely have done all you can to make their first day a comfortable one. This is why...

Vomiting and diarrhea in cats are symptoms of many different health disorders. They can often happen on their own, but even the two occurring together can be relatively common. While the problem may not be a serious one, vomiting and/or diarrhea in cats is a sign of a problem. To gauge whether this problem...

Amitraz is a product which is becoming increasingly well-known, especially in veterinary medical circles. It has been used to treat various conditions in dogs, but some animal guardians unfortunately give it to their dogs without a veterinary prescription. Often used to treat parasite related conditions...

Hyperthyroidism is not necessarily a condition we associate with dogs. Fortunately, this is because it is relatively rare. However, for dogs which are affected by this condition, their lives can be dramatically affected. This is why AnimalWised investigates hyperthyroidism in dogs and provides information...

Myasthenia gravis is a neuromuscular condition which affects various parts of the body. The most characteristic symptom of this pathology is related to muscle weakness. This can affect different parts of the body, but its range is widespread. It can affect facial muscles which interfere with the dog's...

Furosemide for dogs is one of the most commonly prescribed diuretics for dogs which favors the elimination of liquids. This diuretic can only be prescribed and administered to a dog following strict veterinary control. Self-medicated Furosemide is never advisable, as if not administered correctly, it...

Interferon or, to give its full name interferon alfa2-b, is a drug which is used in both human and veterinary medicine. While it has various uses, it is most commonly used to treat disease affecting the immune system. This includes feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukemia virus (FeLV)....

A tumor refers to an abnormal cell growth which can occur in any part of the body. Tumors can be benign or malignant, and are also known as neoplasms, which are synonymous with cancer. Brain tumors in dogs are not very common, but they can occur for no apparent reason, which is why the signs of brain...

The first thing you should know is that there are a large number of diseases and parasites that can affect chickens. As a chicken or poultry carer, it is essential that you are able to recognize symptoms of the most common chicken diseases and viruses, especially in the case of treating them accordingly...

A dog limping can be a heartbreaking sight. Lameness in any of a dog's four limbs can occur for various reasons, some of them temporary, others permanent. Looking at the leg which is affected can help us determine which is affecting our animal if we see our dog limping on their front leg. Due to the varying...

Bacteria are single-celled microscopic organisms that live in the environment, on the skin, in a respiratory tract and/or digestive and urinary tract of animals and people. Some bacteria are capable of causing diseases and reaching the blood, but this is normally done so in a small number and can be killed...

There may be some metaphoric truth to the phrase ‘let sleeping dogs lie’. While dogs need a lot of rest to maintain their energy, if your dog is sleeping too much, ignoring it could be dangerous. Many health issues share similar symptoms and sleeping more than usual is something common to many problems....

Did you know that there are many benefits of neutering a cat? Cat castration is a common practice among many caregivers, specifically because it offers a cat significant benefits. You may be wondering, ‘‘Is neutering good for cats?’’ And the answer is yes! As with any procedure, however, there are side...

Not only are mosquitoes bothersome, but they can also transmit various diseases to humans such as the Dengue virus, Zika virus and the Chikungunya virus. Additionally, there are several dangerous mosquito-borne diseases which can be transferred to your pets, and this needs to be avoided. Luckily, there are...

Reverse sneezing in dogs, also known as inspiratory paroxysmal respiration, is a disorder that can occur in all dogs, which generally causes immediate worry among tutors. This worry stems mainly from the fact that when a dog suffers from backwards sneezing, it seems like they are choking. Does your...

The renal system in dogs includes the kidneys, ureter, bladder and urethra. It is part of the larger urogenital system. The main purpose of this system is to remove waste products from the body, but it is also used to regulate the blood and control levels of various substances in the body. Renal disease...

Demodectic mange in dogs is the second most common type of canine mange. It is also known commonly as red mange due to the characteristic redness in the skin of dogs suffering from the disease. It is also sometimes known as hereditary scabies, but this is misleading. If the problem is not a genetic condition,...

Eastern equine encephalitis is an extremely serious viral disease which affects horses. Unfortunately, it is also a zoonotic disease. Zoonoses are diseases which can be spread to humans. Eastern equine encephalitis, often known simply as EEE is a disease which is often first transmitted by other animals...

In this AnimalWised article, we are going to talk about notoedric mange, a type of scabies caused by the Notoedres cati mite. This mite is a parasite and it's effect on its host can lead to intense itching and acute skin problems. When this host is your beloved cat, then you will want to know what you...

The DHLPP vaccine for dogs is gaining more and more popularity over time, but what does it contain and what is it for? The DHLPP vaccination is a dog vaccination made up of five components which fight against; canine distemper, infectious hepatitis, canine parainfluenza virus and parvovirus. It is incredibly...

Metronidazole is a drug that is used frequently in human medicine, so much so that it is on the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines (EML). Metronidazole for dogs is also gaining in popularity in veterinary medicine as a drug which can have varied uses. The drug can come in various forms including pills,...

Rabies is a disease that can affect all mammals, including humans. Although rabies is not a very common in cats, it is very dangerous, since it has no cure and results in the death of an animal. Does your cat often leave the house and is in contact with other animals? If so, rabies prevention is key!...

Hives in dogs, also referred to as Urticaria, can be defined as visible bulges on skin, in addition to noticeable reddened skin inflammation. Have you noticed your dog scratching more than normal? This, in addition to a swollen face, are common symptoms of hives in dogs. For more aboutthe causes, symptoms,...

Pasteurella in rabbits, also referred to as snuffles in rabbits, is an infectious and contagious disease. This infection has numerous clinical variants and can affect various organs in a rabbit’s body. Various forms of pasteurellosis can occur, classified as localized and generalized. Generally, snuffles...

It is possible you have not heard of a necropsy. It is a procedure which, unless you are a veterinary student, you only become aware of when it is needed. Unfortunately, you are most likely to become aware of it when a companion animal dies. It may be described to you by a veterinarian just after the...

Perineal hernias in dogs are not very common, however, if noticed, they do require immediate attention. If not treated in time, perineal hernias in dogs can lead to further complications which can put a dog’s life at risk. For more about the symptoms, causes, diagnosis, home remedies and treatment of perineal...

Fungi are very resistant organisms that can access an animal and/or human’s body through skin wounds, the respiratory tract or by ingestion. Sporothrix schenckii, for example, is a fungus which can cause sporotrichosis in cats. If not treated in time, it can be fatal. Itraconazole is one of the most...

The importance of deworming dogs both internally and externally is not only emphasized for hygienic and/or aesthetic reasons. Deworming our animals also plays an incredibly important role in avoiding parasites in dogs, such as ticks. Tick-borne disease in dogs can be incredibly dangerous and should...

We love to look into our dogs eyes and feel close to each other. If we notice certain changes in coloration, we should know this is not a normal sign. There are certain circumstances which can lead to blue eyes in dogs. It might not be something you see occurring immediately, often progressing over time....

External otitis in dogs is a relatively common canine disorder. External otitis in dogs is defined as an inflammation of the external auditory canal and may or may not affect the tympanic membrane and be accompanied by a dog ear infection. Common symptoms of otitis externa includes pain and itching. If...

Inguinal hernia in dogs is a protrusion which can be observed in the groin area. This condition is more common in female dogs and can be caused by various factors including trauma, pregnancy and/or obesity. If you notice any inguinal hernia in dogs symptoms, make sure to consult your veterinarian as soon...

Being on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines, it is no surprise aspirin is commonly found in many households. While it is used to treat pain and other maladies, aspirin is not known as a strong drug. It can be used over the counter and is not known for having strong side effects....

Lupus in dogs is an autoimmune disease which can present in two main forms. The type of lupus in dogs depends on whether it is limited to the skin or if it has spread throughout the organism. It is important to know the nature of each canine lupus case as this will determine the course of treatment required...

Ibuprofen is a very common over-the-counter painkiller, frequently used for human consumption. For this reason, many caregivers wonder whether or not Ibuprofen is dangerous for dogs. It’s important to know that offering your dog Ibuprofen without veterinary consultation or according to an appropriate dosage...

One of the most important aspects of a dog's life is going for walks. They are naturally inclined to run outside and play, so anything which makes this difficult for a dog can be painful in more ways than one. If you are out on a walk and you see that your dog's joints are stiff, it is understandable...