Animal health

Whether out walking or in the home, our dogs can ingest the strangest objects. Despite the fact they are inedible, many of the objects which seem irresistible to our dog don't appear to be appetizing in the least. Since they can be broken down in the dog's mouth, many of these merely pass through their...

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...

When our dog has external parasites such as fleas or ticks, we will eventually notice their infestation. We will see the dog scratch themselves more often and the parasites are visible to the naked eye. With internal parasites, their presence can be more difficult to detect. We might see some generalized...

Kidney problems in cats are relatively common disorders in cats, especially with older cats. As caregivers, it is very important we pay attention to any physical or behavioral changes in our cat. Unfortunately, the early stages of kidney problems in cats can have very few symptoms or even be asymptomatic....

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...

Certain dogs are known for the considerable amount of drool they produce. While this provides practical considerations in terms of home hygiene, we may not think too much about where the drool comes from. A dog's salivary glands are very important, even if some are put to work more than others. Although...

Tendons are ligaments of connective tissue (collagen fibers) that connect muscle to bone. Thank you to them, the force of muscle contraction is transmitted to the skeleton to produce movement. When these tendons become inflamed, a process known as tendinitis occurs, usually causing pain and lameness....

Oral health problems in our dogs can be extremely detrimental to their health. Dogs use their mouths to eat. Pain and discomfort of the mouth area can make eating difficult and even prevent them from ingesting the nutrition they need to survive. They also use their mouths to communicate and even interact...

It can be difficult to tell if a cat is in pain. They are particularly good at hiding when they feel discomfort, so it is incumbent upon their guardians to ensure we are observant of any symptoms. When a cat has an upset stomach, they may feel pain which we cannot detect. This is especially so if their...

The development of tumors in dogs is not a new phenomenon, but our understanding of their causes and treatment is relatively recent. This is partly due to advancements in veterinary medicine, since our ability to treat other canine health issues and use better preventive medicine means they have a greater...

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...

If you have ever spoken to someone who has had kidney stones, they will likely have let you know how painful they can be. Essentially a small stone made from various potential minerals, nephroliths block the passageway of urine in the very sensitive areas of the genitourinary tract. Dogs are known for...

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...

Tetanus is a neurological disease caused by a neurotoxin. It is caused in dogs by a bacterial infection that begins in the animal's body through an open wound. The toxin attacks the nerves, spinal cord and brain, causing muscle spasms in the animal. Contrary to popular belief, tetanus is not found exclusively...

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 is more common as a dewormer in cattle, so it is not necessarily a deworming agent which will be prescribed by your veterinarian...

If a cat cannot pee at all, it won't take long for a serious problem to arise. More commonly, you may find a cat has trouble urinating, a condition known as dysuria. Since we do not usually measure our cat's urine, it can be difficult to determine when they are not peeing as much as they did before. In these...

Eyelashes are the small hairs that grow on the edge of the eyelid and have a protective function for the eye. They protect it from external influences such as wind, foreign bodies, dust, etc. and promote the moisture of the eye. When the eyelashes grow abnormally toward the cornea, they can cause a...

When we keep rabbits, it is not always easy to see the state of their urine. When they are in the hutch it should be soaked into the hay that makes up their substrate. When running around the garden, it will likely seep into the grass. This can be dangerous since our rabbit's pee can tell us a lot about...

One important distinguishing factor between different medications is whether they are organic or synthetic drugs. Some may have a bias against synthetic drugs, but this is often more to do with perception than reality. Although they are created differently, synthetic drugs are designed to very specific...

Running around in circles or even chasing their tail is not abnormal behavior in dogs. It is often a healthy expression of their canine nature. Like all dog behaviors, if the behavior becomes compulsive or it is accompanied by signs of distress or discomfort, it may be a symptom of a problem. Various physiological...

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 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...

Also known as dipyrone, metamizole is an analgesic drug which is used to treat various health issues in human medicine. In addition to being a painkiller, it is also used for its anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic effects. These properties have led to its use in various treatments, especially those...

Also known as otohematomas, aural hematomas are an accumulation of bloody fluid in the ear. Specifically, the blood accumulates between the cartilage of the ear and the skin causing inflammation. There are various causes of feline aural hematoma, both primary and secondary. For example, a primary cause...

Respiratory tract diseases are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in cats and one of the main reasons for visits to the veterinary hospital. Although upper respiratory tract infections are common in cats and rarely result in death, lower respiratory tract disease can be fatal. Cats that breathe heavy...

In the relentless search for innovative solutions to improve animal health and reproductive efficiency in livestock farming, natural antioxidants emerge as powerful allies. Among the leading figures in this research is Brazilian scientist Mylena Vinhais, a veterinarian and master’s student, whose studies...

Apoquel is the brand name of a veterinary drug called oclacitinib, which is commonly used to treat dermatological conditions such as dermatitis. Dermatitis is the most common sign of skin diseases in both cats and dogs and can be caused by various underlying diseases. In recent years, studies have been conducted...

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...

Iron is a mineral that your dog's body needs to perform important functions, such as transporting oxygen in the hemoglobin of red blood cells throughout the body. Unbalanced home-cooked food or even the cheapest food can lead to insufficient absorption of this mineral, causing the dog to suffer from anemia....

Some dogs will naturally make more sounds than others. This can be especially so after they have exercised or been involved in some strenuous activity. Some noises can appear all of a sudden and should alert us to a problem. The nature of this problem can be varied, so it is very important we look at...

Doxycycline is an antibiotic widely used in human medicine which is on the Word 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...

Creolin is a powerful disinfectant with a long history of industrial and medical use. It was first used in the 19th century, but its formulation has evolved over time. This is important to remember as not all products labeled as creolin will be the same. As a disinfectant, the action of creolin is to destroy...

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...

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...

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...

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

In October 2022, a virus was reported to be emerging among local pigeon populations of the United Kingdom. It was particularly notable for its symptoms which appeared to turn the pigeons into zombies. These headlines alarmed many readers, leading to various questions about its symptoms, contagion and other...

Vomiting is a non-specific symptom which is associated with an extensive list of problems. These range from temporary nausea to life-threatening illness. Various drugs can be used to treat the underlying causes, resulting in the reduction of symptoms, including vomiting. Metoclopramide is a drug which is...

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,...

It is not uncommon for a dog to occasionally chew or lick their paws, as this is a normal part of their self-grooming process. You may notice your dog chewing or licking their paws after being outside, especially if they have been in dirty or sandy areas. However, if your dog is compulsively and constantly...

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...

Onsior canine treatment is an anti-inflammatory analgesic medication which is used to alleviate pain and inflammation. It is from the coxib family of medications, a type of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID), also known as a COX-2 inhibitor. While we commonly know it as Onsior, this is a trade...

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...

Deworming is the process of giving medication to either treat or prevent parasites from infesting a host. With our cat, different deworming products are available. Some of them should be given only when an infestation has occurred, others should be used as prevention. Some antiparasitic products like...

When walking our dog in long grass, we often check for ticks afterwards. While the bites they cause on our canine's skin can be annoying, it is not the bite itself which causes concern. The worry is the pathogens which can be passed on via the tick's saliva. One such pathogen is bacteria from the genus...

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...

Broadline is a veterinary drug for the treatment of cats with a mixed infestation of internal and external parasites or at risk of such infestation. In other words, it is an all-in-one parasite treatment for cats that kills fleas, ticks, roundworms, and tapeworms. It is applied topically, directly on the skin...

When we adopt a dog into our home, it is important we provide the best level of care. For some, neutering can seem like a harmful procedure as it requires surgical incision and the removal of the reproductive organs. In actuality, the surgery is very safe and negative consequences are rare. The positive...

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,...

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...