Other animal health problems
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If you see a lump on your dog's nipple area, it's important to consider the potential of breast cancer in dogs. There are other symptoms of canine mammary cancer, but a lump is one of the most common. This does not mean a lump in the nipple area will provide diagnosis of cancer. This is something which...
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Accepting that dogs lick their anus is part of their responsibility of care. There are certain canine behaviors which may be unappealing to us, but which are necessary expressions of the dog's behavior. Keeping a clean anus is very important for dogs. Dogs in the wild do not have a human guardian to...
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The spleen is not a vital organ in dogs, as is the case with humans. This does not mean it lacks importance. It acts as a blood filter and is very useful in a dog's immune response to various pathogens. It is not considered vital because the organism can keep living if it ceases to function. Dogs without...
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Also known as hip luxation, hip dislocation in dogs is a disorder that is considered a veterinary emergency and requires immediate intervention. Most dogs that suffer a dislocated hip will know something is wrong, but they will not likely know the exact nature of the problem. This means they will try to...
Onions can pose a serious health risk to our canine companions, despite their appearance as a seemingly harmless vegetable. Even though onions add a rich flavor and aroma to dishes, their compounds are highly toxic to dogs. But what exactly happens when a dog consumes onions? Why is it that something so...
A dog is wobbly when they walk either because they have a mechanical issue with their legs or because there is a problem with their central nervous system. Obvious causes of wobbling in dogs include trauma which makes their limbs function improperly. However, there are also neurological conditions and...
Scurvy in guinea pigs is a disease which occurs due to a lack of vitamin C. Guinea pigs cannot synthesize their own vitamin C, so they need to obtain it through diet. If they do not receive enough through feeding, they can develop a vitamin C deficiency. For this reason, scurvy and vitamin C deficiency...
Intestinal lymphoma in cats is a malignant tumor originating from lymphocytes, which can affect both the small and large intestines. Its clinical presentation often resembles that of other digestive disorders, underscoring the importance of conducting a thorough differential diagnosis to distinguish it from...
Internal bleeding in dogs can be difficult to diagnose since the problem lies with tissues we cannot observe directly. Often the signs of the internal hemorrhage are systemic since the internal blood loss will affect the functioning of the dog's organism greatly. Although the direct cause of internal...
The reasons a dogs jaw is quivering are varied and greatly depend on the context of the behavior. For example, a quivering jaw for a moment is significantly different to prolonged trembling. For this reason, there are both completely benign reasons a dog's jaw is shaking and some very serious life threating...
Despite having a coat of hair, dogs will shiver when it is sufficiently cold. It is for this reason we often provide additional artificial coats when the temperatures drop. This does not explain why my dog is shivering, but it's not cold. In these cases, tremors and shakes can be due to various factors....
Excessive water consumption and frequent urination in dogs may be a sign of polyuria/polydipsia syndrome, which occurs when the normal control mechanisms for water intake and urine production are disrupted. In many cases, it can be an indication of an underlying health condition.
If you're wondering why...
Black wax in a cat's ear is due to the natural secretions being mixed with another substance. The wax itself won't be black, but these other substances cause the discoloration. Identifying the substance will help us to identify the underlying problem. There are certain pathologies and conditions to which...
A cat can start shaking for any number of reasons, many of which are pathological. The extent of the shaking is also important since there is a difference between a mild passing tremor and a consistent episode of shaking. Whatever the cause of the cat shaking, it is important to know that it is not normal....
As pet owners, we cherish the playful and energetic moments our dogs bring into our lives. However, there may be times when we notice a change in their usual lively demeanor. This may be due to a variety of factors, but one possible explanation is lethargy. Lethargy is a common condition in dogs, and it...
If a dog starts limping when they wake up, it can be easy to think they are merely stiff from rest. While this can be the case, especially with older dogs, it doesn't mean we should think a dog limping after sleeping is normal. On the contrary, it can be a sign of various ailments and illnesses, particularly...
Lameness or trouble walking can occur on any of a dog's limbs. Although traumatic injuries can occur anywhere, limb paralysis more commonly occurs on the hindlimbs. This is due to the location of the spine, since injuries or pathologies affecting the spine often occur further along. When the dog's forelimbs...
The reasons why a dog is shaking and acting weird can be due to a range of causes which affect their nervous system. These problems also usually affect their appetite, meaning they stop eating. Although a dog may have localized issues which can cause them to shake or tremble, acting weird and not eating...
During development, any puppy can experience growing pains. Although they are good at hiding their pain, bone growth, tooth renewal and other developmental processes can provide normal levels of discomfort. A condition called panosteitis is often referred to as ‘growing pains’. Although panosteitis does...
Although every dog has their own personality, they are rarely lazy. Unless they have physical limitations, they want to explore, play and even just run around with no apparent goal. For this reason, when a dog doesn't want to walk, it is usually because something is wrong. Without a good reason to be tired,...
Fish, like other animals, are susceptible to a variety of diseases, infections, and parasites. Fish can become ill for a variety of reasons, including poor water quality, improper diet, overcrowding, and stress. Certain species of fish are also more susceptible to certain diseases than others. Recognizing...
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...
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....
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...
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...
When dogs eat food and drink water, it is processed in their digestive system. Nutrients are absorbed into the body to fulfill various vital functions and waste is eliminated through the kidneys, liver and the rest of the genitourinary system. This waste is in the form of urine and feces. If a dog cannot...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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 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...
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...
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,...
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...
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...
Hypocalcemia is defined as insufficient blood calcium, i.e. the calcium levels in their blood are considered low. Calcium is a fundamental mineral in various bodily functions of dogs. These include blood coagulation, maintenance of bones and teeth, muscle and heart contraction, correct vision and the metabolism...
Not all dogs have the same level of balance, but they all maintain their equilibrium using the same anatomical structures. When we see a dog has strong limbs and a muscular body, we often assume certain levels of balance and agility. But much of what makes a dog able to maintain and control movement...
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...
Many dog guardians neglect a dog's dental care. There is a myth that a dog's teeth are self-regulating. This is partly because we compare canine dental hygiene to that of humans. Dogs shouldn't eat as many sugars as humans do, so they may not need the same degree of care. This does not mean dogs do not require...
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...
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...
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...
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