Animal health

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...

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...

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 that consists of small rings of cartilage. The causes are many and in most cases the symptoms resolve on their own, or your pet may...

Itraconazole is an antifungal drug, meaning it is used for treating fungal infections. The most common types of fungal infections in dogs are yeast infections and dermatophytosis, the latter also known as ringworm. These fungal infections need to be diagnosed by a veterinarian who will prescribe the correct...

Our dog's eyes can be very expressive, but also capricious. Sometimes they look directly at us and follow us around the room. Other times they might seem to avoid eye contact in a coy way. When they see something which interests them such as a potential plaything, their eyes can dart back and forth in...

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...

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...

An orchiectomy is a procedure which entails the removal of one or both of a dog's testicles. It is a common procedure when used as a form of castration of the animal, a type of neutering. There are also other less common reasons for an orchiectomy in dogs. At AnimalWised, we look in more detail at the...

Cephalexin is an antibiotic that is used in both human and veterinary medicine, although usually it is less common in the latter. Unfortunately, use of antibiotics can lead to resistance in the organism of the animal, so it is important we only use this drug under strict veterinary guidance. There are also...

Sodium diclofenac is the active ingredient of a well-known drug used under the trade name Voltaren, Cataflam and others. It is a type of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) which is used to combat pain and inflammatory processes. Diclofenac can be sold in various preparations, some of which are prescription...

Dyspnea in cats is a shortness of breath that is bothersome and distressing, with varying degrees of obstruction depending on the cause. Cats may present with this breathing pattern due to a variety of causes, accompanied by more or less accompanying symptoms depending on the cause. Diagnosis of the specific...

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...

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...

Especially when they are young kittens, the large eyes of cats are one of their most beautiful features. Unfortunately, they are also one of their most vulnerable. Various pathologies can affect the eye and they are a good indicator of the general health and well-being of a cat. They can also point to...

Choosing a rabbit as a pet instead of a dog or cat is an increasingly common trend. These animals feed mainly on hay, combined with some fruits and vegetables, in addition to commercial feeding. The fact that rabbits are herbivores does not mean that they can eat all kinds of vegetables or plants, as they...

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 prescription. One of the most common brands which uses famotidine as the main active ingredient is Pepcid. With such...

Sinus bradycardia in dogs is an abnormally low heart rate caused by the impulses in the sinus node firing more slowly than normal. The sinus node is responsible for the electrical impulses in the heart that cause it to beat or contract. In most cases, this is a harmless condition that often occurs in...

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...

In lymphocytopenia, the number of lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell) in the blood is abnormally low. Lymphocytes are a type of white blood cell that perform various tasks in the immune system, including protection against bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. There are many conditions that reduce...

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...

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,...

When you take your new puppy home, the last thing you want is a major health issue. Unfortunately, puppies are more susceptible to some problems, such as parasites, than older dogs. There are several factors that can affect how long it takes a puppy to expel worms. The type of parasite is one of the most...

As with humans, cancer in cats is a disease which can vary in severity and possess many potential complications. These complications can have varying effects on the cat's health, often not resulting in symptoms until the cancer has progressed significantly. In addition to lymphoma, adenocarcinoma is one...

We may observe a cat cyst if we are petting them. When touching their fur, we might notice a subcutaneous lump, one of the most worrying such symptoms as it can imply the presence of cancer. Although this is possible, there are many types of cat cysts which can result in a lump or tumor, without being...

Rabbits make excellent pets, but as with any other pet, getting a rabbit requires preparation and knowledge of what you are getting into. Rabbits are at the bottom of the food chain and in the wild, the weakest are the first to be hunted. Therefore, rabbits naturally tend to hide their illnesses and injuries,...

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...

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...

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...

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,...

Guinea pigs are becoming increasingly popular and pets, especially for 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 diseases...

Our dogs can experience various health issues which require surgery. Common surgical procedures in dogs are castration in males and spaying in females. When these procedures take place, the veterinary professionals will explain what their postoperative care requires. Invasive surgery requires the stitching...

While cats are known for their curiosity, dogs are no less interested in exploring their environment. Unfortunately, this can involve ingesting substances which can cause them considerable harm. While guardians should do all they can to avoid exposure to pesticides such as rat poison, it is possible they...

The convalescence period for a dog after surgery will depend on various factors which will be best determined by your veterinarian. The most routine surgical procedure for dogs is neutering, usually castration for males and spaying for females. Although invasive, it is a common operation which rarely...

In the wild, a dog needs to maintain their own nails. They do so through various methods such as scratching on hard surfaces. When they have a bacterial infection in their claws, it can be difficult for them to treat and can become very serious. This is because the infection can abscess or even poison...

Diabetes mellitus is one of the most frequent chronic diseases diagnosed in small animal veterinary clinics. For some dog guardians, it is surprising since dogs do not generally eat a lot of sugar in their diet, but this is due to a mischaracterization of the disease. Despite such prevalence, especially in older...

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...

When we discuss parasites in dogs, many of us might first think of external parasites such as fleas and ticks. While we are aware of internal parasites, their interiority makes them less visible and it is only when symptoms develop are we aware of their presence. Even at this point, there are many symptoms...

Povidone iodine, widely known by its brand name Betadine, was introduced to the market in 1955. Betadine is an essential product in every medicine cabinet in most households around the world. It is used to treat minor wounds and superficial cuts, as well as minor burns or abrasions. But have you ever wondered...

Equine viral arteritis, also known as EVA, is a disease of horses caused by a virus of the species alphaarterivirus equid, an RNA virus. The virus that causes EVA was first isolated in 1953, but the disease has affected horses worldwide for centuries. In the United States, it has been more common in...

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...

Cats are very hygienic animals who will spend a large portion of their day grooming themselves. There are many reasons for this behavior. Maintaining a healthy coat helps to protect them from the elements, prevent parasite infestation and even eases anxiety. Although cats can spend much of their day dedicated...

Consultations related to anorexia in dogs are among the most common reasons for visits to the veterinarian. The fact that a dog stops eating or eats less than usual is a cause of concern for its owners. Most cases of anorexia in dogs are due to an underlying medical condition. We can remedy this by accurately...

Polaramine is an antihistamine commonly used in human medicine. Therefore, it is not surprising that we find it in the medicine cabinets of many households. This may tempt some caregivers to use it on their dogs to treat allergies, which can lead to negative consequences. Dogs should only be given it...

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,...

Scabs on a cat's skin can be due to various causes, but there are some which are more likely when the scabs appear on a cat's neck. A scab will occur once an open sore has started to heal since the hard crust is part of their immune response. Looking at the larger clinical picture will help us to understand...

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,...

Feline solar dermatitis is a pathology of the skin of our cats that arises as a result of frequent or continuous exposure to the sun. Also known as actinic dermatitis, it is especially prevalent in white cats and in those areas with less hair. The most affected area is the head, specifically the ears, eyes...