Animal health

There is a misconception that it is OK for a dog to smell bad. Of course, their lifestyle means they will exude certain scents and there is a natural odor to a healthy dog which can be a little musky. However, the worse a dog smells, the worse their health is likely to be. The reason for a dog smelling...

Although a cat's claws can do severe damage to their prey, they can be a sensitive part of their anatomy. Strong nails imply the cat is in good health and signs of damage to them imply the opposite. Nails are used to defend themselves against threats, climb, manipulate their environment and even mark their...

Skin diseases are one of the most common health problems of guinea pigs. Of these skin diseases, sarcoptic mange is perhaps the most prevalent. Since the symptoms can be similar, many people think of mange as a bacterial infection. It is actually an infestation by parasites. Regardless, the condition causes...

When we adopt a purebred puppy, we can have some idea of what they will look like as an adult. With mixed-breed dogs, their fully developed form can be a little trickier to determine. Part of the joy of adopting a young dog is experiencing what type of animal they will grow up to be. Regardless if they...

Feline plasma cell pododermatitis is a rare disease with a characteristic symptom of swollen feet. It is for this reason it has the common name of ‘pillow paw’ or ‘pillow foot’. The origin of the disease is not completely clear, but it is believed to be immunity-mediated. This means the well-being of the...

Rectal prolapse is not a common problem in dogs. However, if it does occur, its symptoms need to be recognized. Rectal prolapse in dogs occurs more commonly when a dog is giving birth or straining to defecate and is visible to the naked eye. If your dog is suffering from a rectal prolapse, it’s very important...

Rickets in dogs is a bone condition triggered by a deficit or alteration in the levels of vitamin D, calcium, or phosphorus in our dogs. This skeletal disorder is characterized by a loss of strength or a change in the aspect and consistency of the bones. If left untreated, the result is often deformities...

Feline rickets is a bone disorder characterized by the loss of consistency, strength and normal structures of the bone. It is caused by nutritional disorders or imbalances in the levels of phosphorus, calcium or vitamin D. There are many different possible causes, from feeding disorders or lactation problems,...

If you notice that your cat is bleeding from her private area, it is completely normal to feel alarmed. Generally, if your cat is bleeding from her vulva, it is a sign that she is facing a health problem. Cystitis, uterine infections, trauma or tumors, may be some of the main reasons that could explain...

It is common for caregivers to panic when they detect a lump on any part of a cat's body. Some ignore it for fear that it is some kind of skin cancer, but the truth is that not all lumps are synonymous with cancer. In any case, lumps can be curable so the soonest possible detection and treatment is essential. In...

Pyoderma in cats is an infectious skin disease caused by an increase in the multiplication of certain bacteria, especially Staphylococcus intermedius. This is a group of cocci found on the skin of our felines. This multiplication can be due to various causes and will result in lesions on the cat's skin such as...

Like all vitamins, B group vitamins are essential micronutrients for a dog’s organism. A good quality diet is the best way to ensure the correct supply of vitamin B for dogs, but there are situations in which deficiencies can occur, causing different symptoms, depending on which B vitamin is missing. In...

Feline cryptococcosis is the most common systemic fungal disease in cats. However, its infection incidence in the feline population is low, a seeming contradiction we will explain further. Cryptococcus fungi most frequently affect the nasal area, often resulting in an inflamed nose. Swelling of the...

Seromas are an accumulation of serous fluid in the subdermal area under the skin, although sometimes they can also develop between the musculature. They are one possible complication of various surgeries, especially after ventral midline surgery. Although many are naturally reabsorbed into the dog's body, in...

When we see our dog has a lump anywhere on their body, we will start to get worried. While there are many different types of lumps and neoplasms on our dog, some of them can be cancerous. In these cases, the life of our dog is threatened. However, we shouldn't jump to conclusions. It is also possible our...

There are many reasons we should sterilize our dog, whether male or female. The average life expectancy of neutered and spayed dogs is greater than those which are unsterilized. Not only does it reduce the possibility of developing certain diseases, but it helps to reduce behavioral problems. However,...

The type of care you provide a rabbit will depend on many factors relating to the individual bunny. Age and health status are two of the most important. However, there are also important environmental factors which affect rabbit care, one of the most important being the changing of the seasons. Although...

If you have had a dog in the home with fleas, you will know the importance of preventive flea medication. Fleas not only infest the dog, but they can travel and getting rid of them is a major hassle. Flea medicine can come in various forms, but is most effective when used in a pipette and administered...

Uveitis in dogs is an eye disorder usually caused by trauma to the eye. When left untreated it can cause serious irreversible damage to our dog. This is why it's so important to be aware of the symptoms of uveitis in dogs and take our dog to the veterinarian as soon as possible if we observe them suffering...

Cushing Disease in cats, also called feline hyperadrenocorticism (HAF), is a serious disease in cats that is caused when the cortisol hormone is accumulated in excess in the cat's blood. With that being said, it is still a very rare condition, of which few cases have been registered and whose treatment...

Feline squamous cell carcinoma is a type of cancer in cats that appears relatively frequently, especially in older cats. The lesions caused by this cancer mainly affect the mouth, ears, nose, or eyelids. In this AnimalWised article we're going to explain the causes, symptoms and treatment of squamous...

Many cat caregivers wonder what eosinophilic granuloma complex is, as these diseases are quite common in cats. This complex is a group of common diseases in cats that can be present in three clinical forms: eosinophilic ulcer, eosinophilic plaque, and eosinophilic granuloma. Keep reading this AnimalWised...

Is your cat's body temperature low? If so, they're probably suffering from hypothermia. This is when a cat's body temperature drops and they start experiencing certain health issues due to the drop in body temperature. These include neurological problems, heart issues, kidney failure, and frostbite....

Petting our dog is an enjoyable activity which is healthy for us, for the dog, and for our bond together. There are many places a dog may like to be petted, and under the chin is one of the most common. If we are petting them on the neck and we find lumps, we might wonder can dogs get the mumps? Since...

Do you think your cat has broken its tail? If they have been in pain and their tail has been limp, it's understandable that you may worry. In this AnimalWised article we're going to help you tell if your cat has a broken tail or an injured tail, and what to do to help them. We'll go through the symptoms,...

Intestinal malabsorption in dogs is one of the most complex clinical conditions to diagnose and treat in this species, and can have fatal consequences. This is why it requires constant monitoring and early treatment. Affected dogs often experience chronic diarrhea and weight loss. The causes of malabsorption in...

Rabbits are increasingly popular companion animals. Their companionship does not only extend to humans. Dogs and cats which have been well socialized can live very happily with rabbits, although it will depend on the individual animals. While there are a lot of practical and behavioral considerations we need...

The prolapse of a dog's third eyelid refers to the elevation of the smooth inner eyelid that is located between the cornea and the inside corner of their eyelids. This occurs due to a weakness of the connective tissues that hold the gland in place. Therefore, if you notice that your dog has a red lump in...

Keratitis in cats is a chronic, inflammatory disease of the cornea, in a cat's eye. This illness is common in cats that are four years of age and younger. If you think your cat may be suffering from keratitis, you've come to the right place for information! In this AnimalWised article we're going to...

Did your rabbit have a seizure? Read this AnimalWised article to learn about what you should do if your rabbit is having a seizure. We also talk about symptoms, causes, diagnosis and treatment for seizures in rabbits and epilepsy in rabbits.

Rabbits behave differently to humans. This is why it's understandable for a rabbit companion to be worried once their rabbit starts behaving abnormally. In this AnimalWised article, we're going to explain why your rabbit is shaking and breathing fast. We'll also look at similar behaviour, such as twitching...

The eye is not considered a vital organ as a cat could still survive if they were lost. It is considered the most important sensory organ as they will have serious problems navigating their environment without it. Despite this, it may take some time before we know if our cat has vision problems. They...

Rabbits are disease resistant to certain pathogens[1]. This doesn't mean they are immune to getting sick, but the process of domestication means they have a good chance at a healthy life when given the right care. Not a small part of providing the right care is the necessity of keeping an eye out in any...

Onsior is the commercial name for robenacoxib, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). This drug is used to control inflammation and pain in dogs and cats. Like any other drug, it has benefits and possible side effects. This is why only a veterinarian can prescribe this medication and determine...

Hamsters are popular pets with children as they are relatively easy to care for. However, when we adopt a hamster into the family, we need to ensure we meet the responsibility of meeting their health needs. This means looking out for signs and symptoms of diseases common to hamsters. One of the main issues...

During a dog's pregnancy, their body will undergo many visible changes. Inside the mother, chemical reactions caused by a change in hormone levels create the ideal conditions for the puppy embryos to develop. Gestation needs certain factors to be carried out and result in healthy puppies, with the health...

Ear infections, also known as otitis, are the most common form of ear disease in rabbits. These infections can affect the external, middle, or internal parts of a rabbit's ears. If you've noticed your rabbit tilting or shaking their head, they may have an ear infection. In this AnimalWised article,...

Has your rabbit been acting abnormally? Perhaps they've started scratching themselves more than often, or perhaps you've observed “moving dandruff” on their fur. Whatever it may be, you must be wondering how do I know if my rabbit has mites? In this AnimalWised article, we'll be going through the symptoms,...

Diazepam is a medicine that affects the central nervous system. It's usually used as a sedative, muscle-relaxant or anti-anxiety medicine for dogs. If your dog is going through some health issues and your vet has recommended using diazepam, this is the perfect article for you. In this AnimalWised article...

Although often misclassified as rodents, rabbits are actually lagomorphs. These beautiful little mammals have been farmed for millennia, but it is only relatively recently they have been enjoyed as companion animals. Even so, it is only more recently that their popularity has grown as it has. For this...

Many people are rightly concerned about having an allergy to cats. When exposed, severe cat allergy sufferers may experience anaphylaxis, an acute allergic reaction which threatens their life. Such an emphasis on allergies to cats may make us forget that cats themselves can have allergies. The presence...

Dogs perform self-grooming and many guardians notice they will often pay particular attention to their genitals. A healthy dog can spend more time than seems necessary licking the area, but we need to be careful if they are being excessive. For male dogs, excessive licking of the genitals can highlight...

Rabbits are always chewing on hay or leafy vegetables. One thing they love more than anything is eating sugary fruit and rabbit treats that give them a boost in energy. However, a lack of exercise and an excess of these treats can allow them to retain excess weight and become overweight. This can be...

There are many concerns a guardian will have for their pregnant dog. Maintaining the health and well-being of the mother is the best way to ensure the same for her puppies. Some female dogs reach sexual maturity after only 6 months of age. This could mean that a dog gets pregnant unexpectedly. Even...

If your dog has suddenly lost their ability to open their mouth, they most likely have masticatory muscle myositis. This immune system disorder disables your dog from eating, chewing, and even picking up their toys. It is extremely painful for our dog. This is why in this AnimalWised article we are going...

Not all symptoms of disease in cats are as obvious as each other. A cat may be seriously ill without showing any signs for a long time. Unfortunately, it is often the medical conditions which don't have obvious symptoms that can be the most life-threatening. A high lymphocyte count is something that can only be...

Respiratory diseases in dogs are a relatively common veterinary medical issue. Paying attention to their pet's overall health and well-being is essential for any dog guardian. However, since there are many different types of respiratory disease in dogs, many of the symptoms are shared. This can make...

A mother dog's breast milk is essential to her puppies' survival in their first weeks of life. It not only provides them with nutrients, but also key antibodies necessary for developing their immunity. Therefore, if a mother dog is not feeding her puppies or abruptly stops nursing them, this can be a...

The facial shape of our dogs varies greatly. Some have deer-like faces with long snouts and flat heads. Others have big round faces with lots of folds. In the latter category, it can be difficult to tell if a dog's face is swollen. This is why we need to be very observant when caring for our dog's well-being....

Metritis is something which can only happen to female dogs. This is because it is an infection of the uterus. A bacterial infection, it occurs during birthing or shortly thereafter. There are different causes of metritis, as we will see further on in this AnimalWised article. While we should be ensuring...