Animal health

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...

While swelling and redness of a dog's paws can be observed at almost any stage, it is common for guardians to first become aware of this problem when we notice our dog keeps licking their paws. Whatever the underlying cause, swelling and redness is likely irritating for the dog. Licking their paws is a way...

There are many reasons why a dog's gait will change. It should not be a surprise that older dogs start to lose mobility. As a dog ages, the wear and tear on their bones and joints will take its toll. However, when a dog loses mobility in their back legs all of a sudden, especially if they are not a...

Depending on the amount of fur your cat has on their paw, it can be difficult to tell if their paw is swollen. However, once the swelling is developed enough, it will soon be obvious. Even if you cannot see the swelling itself, there will be other symptoms depending on the underlying cause. This inflammatory...

The liver is the largest internal organ in the body of carnivores. As an organ that performs numerous functions, the liver has a large storage capacity and a functional reserve. In addition, it can regenerate itself. When your dog's liver is not functioning properly, it causes problems with digestion and...

Gastrointestinal disorders are commonplace with cats. Whether caused by physical or psychological stimuli, a cat can have various digestive symptoms which point to a problem with their health. These problems may pass after time or when the underlying cause has been treated. Sometimes more chronic symptoms...

Cirrhosis is advanced fibrosis of the liver characterized by loss of normal hepatic structure. This means the tissue of the liver itself becomes irreparably changed. It most often occurs as a result of chronic damage to the liver, leading to the failure of the regeneration mechanism of this organ. We may...

Mastocytoma in cats, otherwise known as mast cell tumors, can be either subcutaneous or visceral. This refers to whether they develop under the skin or on internal tissue, respectively. Subcutaneous mast cell tumors are more common and are the second most prevalent type of malignant tumor in cats. Visceral...

Whether it is their front or back limb, seeing a dog's leg swollen with fluid is a symptom which cannot be ignored. The dog's circulatory system is made up of the blood and lymphatic systems which interrelate to carry out various functions. When one part of the body is affected, its connectivity means symptoms...

Cats are noted for their beautiful expressive eyes. While they can be of varying color, only albino cats will have red in their eye and not even all albino cats share this feature. This redness could be due to varying causes, but when the reason is blood in a cat's eye, it is the result of something...

Pathologically, pulmonary hypertension is an underdiagnosed condition in small animal clinics characterized by elevated systolic or diastolic blood pressure in the lungs. Its occurrence may be caused by several factors, most of which are associated with cardiac or pulmonary changes that determine not...

Depending on their weight, length of fur and other factors, we may not initially notice a dog's lymph nodes are swollen. This symptom may only be observed when we pet them around the neck or if we see them struggle with a collar. Often this happens after the inflammation has become extensive. Before we...

CBD is becoming an increasingly popular product in homes across the world. Now that much of the stigma in using cannaboid products is being reduced, people are starting to see how they may benefit their health and well-being. CBD is often used as a self-medication to treat anxiety and stress, but it...

Enrofloxacin is an antibiotic bactericidal agent, specifically of the fluoroquinolone group. It is used for the treatment of respiratory, digestive and urinary bacterial infections, among others. It is a broad spectrum antibiotic sold in the US under the brand name Baytril, although it can be found in generic...

Neurological disorders are those which affect the central and/or peripheral nervous system of cats. They can be the result of acquired diseases, trauma, genetic inheritance and other causes, some of which are idiopathic. The neurological diseases which affect cats can be infectious, inflammatory, metabolic,...

Strokes or cerebral vascular accidents (CVA) are rare in cats, but not impossible. When there is impaired blood flow in the brain tissue, there is a stroke. Strokes are caused by cerebral hemorrhage or by an interruption in blood flow due to a clot or a leak in the blood vessels. The causes leading up...

There are many conditions which could cause a dog's eye to become red. Looking at the specific symptoms can help us to determine the cause. When there is inflammation, redness in the sclera (white of the eye) or the conjunctiva is red can suggest various infections and ailments. However, when blood...

There are a variety of external parasites that can infest chickens, including lice, a very common parasitic infection. Just like mites or fleas, these parasites feed externally on their host. If not detected in time, they can spread quickly and infest the entire flock. The damage they cause to the bird's...

Panting is a behavior we most often associate with canines, not felines. Although dogs of all sizes will pant, it is often most noticeable in big dogs which pant with a large tongue sticking out. In comparison, a cat sticking out their tongue and panting is not something we associate as much with cats....

Parasites are a major threat to our cat's well-being. Unfortunately, there are many different types which can affect them both internally and externally. This is why it is important to protect our cats as best we can. Even in the home, cats can become infested with parasites such as tapeworms and roundworms...

We don't like to think of our dogs becoming stressed. They are often the ones who relieve our own anxiety and can be incredible pillars of support. Although they may not face the same existential questions as their caregivers, dogs can be seriously affected by stress. In chronic cases, it can be just as detrimental...

Vomiting is a clinical symptom of various pathologies. Although vomiting is most commonly associated with gastrointestinal disorders, many problems which originate from other bodily systems occur. Whether gastrointestinal in origin, these range from mild to severe. Some of illnesses with throwing up as a symptom...

Epazote (Dysphania ambrosioides), also known as Jesuit's tea or Mexican-tea, is an aromatic herb widely used in South and Central America. Its usage dates back to the Pre-Hispanic era and its name derives from the Aztec language “epaztl”, which translates as “skunk”. In addition to being used in many Mexican...

Panacur is an antiparasitic drug with the active ingredient fenbendazole. It is a broad spectrum anthelmintic that has an effect against nematodes (both gastrointestinal and pulmonary) and cestodes. In addition, it is a drug that is used as a treatment against giardiasis, an infection caused by the protozoa...

Panniculitis is an inflammatory process that affects adipose tissue, the tissue we associate with body fat. It has multiple causes, both infectious and non-infectious. There are also many cases of idiopathic panniculitis in dogs where the etiology is unknown. The main clinical sign associated with panniculitis...

Urinary tract infections, also known as UTIs, are fairly common in dogs. A UTI commonly occurs when bacteria travel up the urethra and into the bladder. If not treated promptly, UTIs can cause a lot of discomfort and pain in your dog. In time, they can develop into a serious health issue, like cancer...

Hookworms, similar to tapeworms and roundworms, are a group of blood-sucking parasites that can live in your cat's digestive system. They belong to the genus Ancylostoma. These parasites affect a wide variety of mammals, not only cats. They are known as ‘hook worms’ because of the hook-like mouth with which...

Petting and brushing our cat helps to condition their coat, strengthen our bond and provide all-important affection. It also provides the opportunity to check their skin for any abnormalities. Sometimes inflammation and lumps can be seen when we look at the cat, others are only detectable when we feel them. As...

Laryngeal paralysis is a condition that affects the upper respiratory tract in dogs. When it occurs, the laryngeal cartilages do not open (abduct) correctly during inspiration. It can be due to either congenital or acquired causes, as well as unilateral or bilateral. Some dogs may have the problem, but remain...

As with all companion animals, rats need a certain level of care to maintain optimal health. Providing a balanced diet, suitable accommodation and taking them to the veterinarian for regular checkups help provide their basic care needs. However, even with careful consideration of these needs, a rat can...

Ear problems are relatively common in cats. Felines may experience itching, pain or discomfort to various degrees. As they are very hygienic animals, we should not confuse regular cleaning of their ears for scratching. When a cat has a serious problem with their ears, they will keep scratching at them,...

Calamine is a commonly used medication to treat mild itchiness on the skin produced by sunburn, insect bites, poison ivy, poison oak, allergies, among others. It can also be prescribed to dry out skin irritation. It has proven to be very effective on humans. In fact, its use dates back as far as 1500 BC....