Animal health

Canine degenerative myelopathy is a neurodegenerative disease that affects the spinal cord of dogs. It affects older dogs as it requires time to develop, first affecting the hind limbs and then the forelimbs as it progresses. Unfortunately, it is a disease which is difficult to diagnose and has a poor...

Calcinosis cutis is a disorder characterized by the lesions of calcium salts in the skin. The result is the appearance of hard nodules or crusted plaques. In the canine medicine, it usually appears in individuals with Cushing's syndrome or those subjected to prolonged treatment with corticosteroids. There...

Ocular proptosis is one of the most important ophthalmological emergencies in the canine species. It consists of the forward displacement of the eyeball. This most commonly occurs as a result of trauma that causes the eye to exit its orbit, i.e. it pops out of its socket. Although it can appear in any...

Cramps can be difficult to detect in a dog's muscles. This is especially the case if the dog has long hair. In cases were the cramping is continuous, it is possible to see the dog's muscles twitch under the skin. Often, the dog experiences painful muscles spasms without their guardians being able to see. Not...

Euthanasia is a veterinary procedure in which the death of an animal is brought about by non-cruel and painless methods in order to avoid the suffering associated with an incurable disease. This is undoubtedly one of the most difficult decisions for both veterinarians and caretakers, because it means...

We don't expect our dog's breath to smell particularly nice. The dog food which is so appetizing to canines is often quite unpleasant to us, for example. However, this does not mean it should smell rotten. If you notice your dog's breath is foul, you will need to take a look inside their mouth. When...

Especially when compared to dogs, arthritis is not a condition we often associate with cats. Older dogs in particular are more prone to limping, something which is relatively rare in cats. However, degeneration of joints and its associated effects on the well-being of the animal does affect cats. At AnimalWised,...

Carprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It has the potential to inhibit cyclooxygenase I and II enzymes, with greater potential to inhibit the latter. The purpose of this inhibition is to limit the risk of kidney, gastrointestinal and liver damage by mediating inflammation, pain and fever....

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 dog 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...

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...

Ketoconazole is an antifungal used in cats to eliminate mycosis, i.e. an infection caused by fungi. Specifically, it fights mycosis which affects the skin, bones and even systemic infections. The fungi which it counteracts are numerous, including species as varied as dermatophytes responsible for ringworm,...

Cuterebra is a type of fly that requires small warm-blooded animals such as rodents and rabbits to complete its life cycle. They are known as robust botflies, a group of parasitical flies which develop in the flesh of their host. Cats are often susceptible to Cuterebra parasitization due to their own...

Sneezing is a common action in dogs. Although it is related to disease, it also happens in response to light, temperature and other factors. If we share our lives with a dog, we will notice they likely sneeze regularly, although some more than others. It is usually not a problem and will not require...

It is not always easy to see when our dog has oral health problems. Not only are cuts, lacerations, ulcers and sores on the inside of their mouth, but dogs are particularly good a hiding signs of pain. If your dog has a cut in their mouth, you may only observe it when you look inside. Too many guardians...

Famotidine is a medication from the group of drugs known as H2 receptor antagonists. H2 receptors allow the binding of histamine to induce gastric acid secretion. By blocking these receptors, histamine limits its binding and, in turn, the secretion of gastric acids. This is useful when an organism is producing...

Pneumonia is a disease associated with the cold, but it is important to know it is a condition which can happen at any time of year. In fact, some people may ignore the symptoms of pneumonia in dogs during the summer because they don't think of it as a possibility. As an inflammatory lung condition, pneumonia...

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...

A canine insulinoma is a tumor that affects the endocrine pancreas. They are part of the pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (PNET) group of tumors and are functional, meaning they produce an excessive and sustained release of insulin. In turn, this results in a decrease in blood glucose levels. Insulinomas...

Commonly sold under the brand name Zantac, ranitidine is a drug that inhibits gastric acid secretion in cats. This action is carried out by binding to the H2 receptors in the stomach which are responsible for the release of this acid. For this reason, it is used to treat problems related to stomach...

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 mature at a very different pace than humans. Like physical development, behavioral development is a dynamic process that undergoes successive changes throughout the animal's life, from birth to death. However, there are certain periods of time when these changes have a greater impact on the animal's overall...

Dermatologic pathologies are one of the main reasons for consultation in guinea pigs, with ectoparasites (external parasites) being the main cause of these pathologies. Guinea pigs are frequently infested with lice, which are ectoparasites. Generally, infested guinea pigs remain asymptomatic, although...

Also known as acral lick dermatitis, a lick granuloma in dogs is a difficult problem to remedy. A granuloma occurs when white blood cells of the dog's immune system collect to fight inflammation. It results in a hard plaque which appears as a lesion in the dog's skin. It is common and normal for a dog...

Bactrim is a type of antibiotic with the active ingredients trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole. The use of these two antimicrobial compounds in combination has a synergistic effect, meaning it increase the effect of both drugs when administered together. It is a drug on the World Health Organization's...

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...

Omeprazole is an active ingredient from the group of stomach proton pump inhibitors. It is responsible for reducing the production of gastric acid and controlling disorders associated with gastric hypersecretion in cats. You may be more familiar with it in human medicine as it is on the World Health Organization's...

Cystic endometrial hyperplasia (CEH) is a uterine pathology that frequently affects female dogs and other female mammals. It is a hormone-dependent process which results in an over-proliferation of endometrial gland cells in the uterus occurs. Although it is not a serious disease in itself, it usually evolves...

Swelling of your dog's paws is a sign that your pet may be suffering from an underlying condition that requires medical attention. There are many possible causes of swollen paws related to changes in various organs, devices or systems. Analyzing how the swelling occurs and develops will help diagnose...

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...

Inflammatory bowel disease or IBD in dogs is a chronic inflammatory condition that can affect different sections of a canine's intestine. While we know the inflammation is due to the accumulation of inflammatory cells in the intestinal mucosa, the underlying cause is not easy to define. We do know there...

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....

The skin and mucus membranes of healthy dogs should have a pink hue. There are some exceptions for dogs which have dark skin or patches of skin. Since the skin of most dogs is covered in varying lengths of hair, we can usually tell the color by looking at the gums and eyes. On some dogs, you can see the...

The Dachshund, also known as the Viennese Dog, Dachshund and Sausage Dog, is a very popular short-legged, long-haired breed of dog. They can be smooth haired, wiry or long haired. The standard Dachshund was developed to track, hunt, and flush out badgers and other animals that live in burrows, which...

Any changes to your dog's well-being are a cause for concern. If we see certain symptoms, they can make it obvious something is seriously wrong. However, some of the deadliest diseases in dogs are slow to progress. For this reason, we need to be observant to even small changes and remember to take our dog...

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...

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...

It should not be a surprise to cat guardians that coughing up blood is a sign of a health problem. Various underlying causes can lead to blood appearing from the nose or mouth. The threat to the cat's health will depend on this underlying cause, as well as the greater context of the symptom. For example,...

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,...

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...

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 tot he vulva and we may see external...

Canine parasites can be a problem for many dogs. Whether external or internal, these pests that infest your pet may eventually live on or in your dog. Some of these parasites can also infect humans. Although these parasites may go undetected in healthy adult dogs, they can certainly cause symptoms in...

Bronchitis in dogs is an inflammation of the bronchi, which are the branches of the trachea responsible for the entry and exit of air into and out of the lungs. If your dog has been suffering from bronchitis lately and you are worried and want to know more about what's going on, you have come to the right...

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. It results in the accumulation of bile in the liver since it is unable to leave. Determining the specific cause of cholestasis...

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

Cyclosporine is an immunosuppressive drug that is used to treat allergy responses and immune-mediated diseases which affect various bodily systems. It is considered a safe drug with high efficacy rates, most often being associated with mild and reversible side effects. However, its relatively high cost means...

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...

Corticosteroids are drugs used to treat a wide variety of pathologies in veterinary medicine. They have powerful anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive action. This action make them highly effective drugs for treating allergic and inflammatory processes, autoimmune and immune-mediated diseases, and other pathologies....

The parasites most associated with dogs are external parasites such as fleas and ticks. Many guardians will also have experiences with internal parasites, especially gastrointestinal parasites such as worms. Not everyone might be as aware of hemoparasites in dogs. These are microorganisms which are sufficiently...

Lactulose is a type of laxative which can be used in both human and veterinary medicine. As a laxative, it is used to counteract the retention of stool or slow intestinal transit, i.e. constipation. Constipation itself has many causes, but it can be exacerbated if it affects the dilation of the large intestine...