Other animal health problems
Learn more about other animal health problems by exploring our site and become a true expert on the animal kingdom. You'll find content created for the best professionals with pictures, videos and opinions.
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Whether your cat is only urinating very little or has stopped completely, it is important to understand that this is not a normal situation. Any sudden change regarding litter box habits should prompt a trip to the veterinarian, as there are potentially life-threatening illnesses that manifest through...
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Have you noticed an unusual lump on your cat's belly? Whether it is just one lump or more than one, this is one of the most common symptoms of mammary tumors in cats and should be taken very seriously. In this AnimalWised article we're going to explain the different stages of breast cancer in cats,...
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Diarrhea is a clinical sign which indicates a cat has gastrointestinal problems. However, the causes of GI issues are extremely varied. Some are relatively benign and will clear up on their own in a short time. Others can be more serious and require veterinary medical intervention. Although diarrhea...
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The color of a dog's vomit can tell us a lot about its cause. Whether relatively clear or opaque, the color of their vomit is not only determined by what they have eaten. The contents of the animal's stomach can include bodily fluids which shouldn't be in there, including blood. When a dog is throwing up...
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Any time you can see your cat's blood, there is cause for concern. If external, we might be able to look for bites or scratches which can heal easily. If internal, the cause is more difficult to determine and, in the majority of cases, more worrying. When a cat vomits blood, it means the blood is coming...
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Also known as fibrous sarcoma in cats, feline fibrosarcoma is a type of soft tissue sarcoma which commonly appears at the injection site when hypodermic needles are used. As a relatively common type of cancer in cats, it accounts for 6 to 12% of feline tumors. It is a mesenchymal tumor, meaning it affects...
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Liver failure in cats appears as a result of certain liver diseases that affect the functionality of the liver such as hepatic lipidosis, cholangitis, amyloidosis or tumors, but it can also be due to extrahepatic or toxic diseases.
In this AnimalWised article we’re going to explain what liver failure in cats...
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An inflamed anus in cats can be due to gastrointestinal issues, dermatitis, anal gland problems or even tumors. Cats are very hygienic animals, but if you see them licking their anus excessively, it could be due to inflammation. While the licking itself can cause the anus to be swollen and red, it is important...
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A cat's ears can change temperature quite frequently. Although their ears always have a lower temperature than their body temperature, that does not necessarily mean that our cat is cold. However, under certain medical or environmental conditions your cat may be cold, and too much time under these conditions...
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Esophagitis or inflammation of the esophagus in dogs can be caused by many factors, such as hiatal hernias, reflux, parasites, drugs, and more. As a dog's caregiver, it's important that we can recognize the symptoms as soon as possible to bring our dog to the veterinarian for a proper diagnosis and treatment.
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Our dog's ears act as an indicator of their well-being. As part of their canine body language, their position can tell us if they are angry, relaxed or in any particular mood. However, our dog's ears can also indicate something about their physical health. If they are warm, they might be telling us something...
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While spaying is recommended by veterinarians for female dogs, there are many guardians who question whether it is best for their canine. Even if they do not want their dog to have puppies, some fear their dog may have negative repercussions. Especially if the dog is an adult, they will have developed...
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Just like dogs, cats can also suffer from hypothyroidism, a disease caused by low thyroid function. It can be due to different causes, but the main problem is the decrease in the secretion of thyroid hormones. These hormones, when scarce, will cause an imbalance in different functions of our cat's organism.
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Can dogs have dwarfism? Yes, dogs can experience dwarfism like other animals. This occurs when there is a lack of hormone production in our dog, leading them to experience dwarfism.
In this AnimalWised article we're going to explain what dwarfism in dogs is, how to detect it and its treatment. Keep...
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Hypoglycemia is another term for low blood sugar. This refers to the levels of glucose in the blood, a carbohydrate which is vital in providing the cat with the energy they need to survive. While having too much glucose in the bloodstream is dangerous, so too is having too low blood glucose levels. Although...
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A diaphragmatic hernia can occur when a dog has suffered a traumatic event such as being in a road collision or fall. When the trauma is strong enough to cause a defect in the diaphragm, it allows abdominal viscera to pass into the chest cavity. However, there is also a congenital link to diaphragmatic...
If a dog has a lump near their anus, it can be due to various causes. Growths such as tumors are a possible factor, with perianal adenoma being a common issue. It is important to determine whether the dog has a problem with the anus itself, the anal glands, or some other part of the perianal area. Doing...
When a dog moves their mouth as if they were chewing, grinding their teeth, or chattering, one possible cause is bruxism. Also known as teeth grinding, bruxism is a clinical sign that arises from various causes. The result is often your dog making weird movements with their mouth. This can be very disconcerting,...
Guinea pigs, also known as cavies, are often considered exotic pets. However, their growth in popularity as companion animals means they are much more common than they used to be. Care and maintenance of exotic pets can be difficult as there is less research carried out and, therefore, less information...
Our cats have a body which allows them to make various movements. An impressive ability is to move through small spaces which seem to be much smaller than their body should allow. They are able to do this, in part, due to a relatively supple spine. This spine also supports their skeletal structure and...
Some of us don't think it is possible for our dog to be sad. While they may get tired sometimes, their enthusiasm and gifts of affection seem endless. This means when they do seem to be down, it can be worrying. Not only can a dog be sad due to emotional stress, physical problems can also lead to a dog...
Our cats are very hygienic animals which make great effort to ensure their grooming needs are met. While it is difficult to teach them tricks, it is relatively easy to train them to use a litter tray. This is because they want to ensure their waste does not cause their environment to be unhygienic, just...
Diarrhea in guinea pigs is a relatively frequent disorder and does not usually result from serious harm to the animal. However, if the diarrhea is prolonged, chronic or particularly intense, it can threaten the animal's well-being. A veterinary emergency will occur if the guinea pig is severely dehydrated.
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Part of the reasons why a puppy is so adorable is their vulnerability. An instinct in us makes us want to take care of them and for good reason. When dogs are young, they are still developing. This doesn't simply mean they are getting bigger, but important aspects of their physiology, such as their immune...
Cats are naturally curious animals that often use their mouths to explore their environment. They are also known to eat parts of plants, especially types of grasses. Although the reasons for this behavior are poorly understood, it is believed they do so to help digestion. Unfortunately, there are plants which...
A dog's tongue is a muscle which performs various crucial functions. As with any muscle, it functions efficiently with regular exercise. Some of us may think our dog exercises their tongue excessively. Dogs stick their tongue out for various reasons, and it is rarely without purpose. Often, this behavior...
Our cats are very hygienic animals which dedicate large portions of their day to grooming. Most generally try to avoid water and will be very wary of any odorous objects or areas in the home. For this reason, when a cat smells bad, it can lead their guardians to worry something is wrong. Since a foul...
Hernias can affect various parts of a cat's body, with location determining certain symptoms and behavior. Some hernias may not show any evident signs, at least at first. This is the case with umbilical hernias in cats. The growth caused by the hernia will vary in size, depending on its severity. In some...
Dogs are known for their voracious appetites, but not all dogs have the same metabolism. Whether a dog loses or gains weight easily will depend on many factors, genetic inheritance due to breed being only one of them. However, when a dog loses or gains a significant amount of weight, it is always something...
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....
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...
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...
If you notice symptoms in your cat such as bad breath, discomfort in the mouth, aversion to certain foods, or reduced appetite, it could be related to periodontitis. Periodontal disease is a condition characterized by the shearing off and degradation of the tooth structure at or below the gum line,...
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. This results in the accumulation of bile in the liver since it is unable to leave. Determining the specific cause of cholestasis...
The synovial bursa is a structure around a joint which provides cushioning against trauma and general wear and tear. Since bones can cause friction when rubbing against each other, the synovial bursa helps to prevent damage from being worn down. When this structure is inflamed, it leads to a condition known...
Control of food intake is possible thanks to the interaction of gastrointestinal, nervous, and environmental factors that work together to maintain energy levels and body weight in animals. However, when an imbalance of these control mechanisms occurs, changes in food intake occur, such as polyphagia.
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The tongue is an organ made up of various muscles which belongs to the digestive system. Different animal species will use their tongues in different ways and dogs have their own specific uses. For example, the tongue not only allows them to intake water and food, it is an essential element in regulating...
Elevated creatinine levels in cats are related to kidney disease. There are other symptoms which will usually present in the cat before a test for creatinine levels is performed. The reason for these high levels is partly due to impaired kidney function preventing the creatinine from being reabsorbed after...
You may have seen some photos of cats with an atypical appearance. Differences in appearance can vary according to breed, but some cats have an appearance which imply they have a genetic disorder. In fact, the features of some atypical cats appear to be similar to certain genetic human conditions such...
Tumors are one of the many pathologies that can affect the liver of dogs. Although primary liver tumors are not common in dogs, the liver is one of the organs where malignant tumors arising in other parts of the body most often metastasize. Liver cancer can be a silent killer in dogs because obvious...
Azotemia is the term used to describe high levels of nitrogen-containing compounds in a cat's blood. These compounds are mainly in the form of creatinine and urea, but other nitrogen-containing waste products can cause the change in blood composition. The underlying causes which lead to higher levels...
Dogs are curious animals by nature, often accidentally eating or sniffing things that may be poisonous to them and that may seem completely harmless to you. This includes various types of plants, both indoors and outdoors, that can cause poisoning in dogs. While some plants may only cause digestive...
Older cats are more susceptible to various ailments due to the natural passage of time. While there are ways we can best ensure their health and well-being, no cat is immune to these changes once they reach a certain age. Deterioration of the musculoskeletal system is one of the most obvious signs of...
Any physical symptoms or behavioral changes in our dogs which may indicate illness need to be understood in context of their situation. Various pathologies and health conditions can cause either a lack of appetite (anorexia) or an increased water consumption (polydipsia) in dogs. When the two clinical signs...
Although it depends on many individual factors, a dog should drink around 100 ml of water per kilogram of their weight per day. We can sometimes see an increase in a dog's water consumption for various reasons. This is known as polydipsia in veterinary medicine. When a dog exhibits any physical or behavioral...
You may not be aware that dogs have baby teeth. When your puppy matures, their dentition changes in a similar way to human beings. A dog's baby teeth, also known as milk teeth, primary teeth or deciduous teeth, are smaller and sharper than their adult teeth. They should naturally fall out of their own accord...
As our puppies grow up, we need to ensure their development is progressing well. Some signs this is the case can be observed more easily than others. As with any part of their body, a dog's teeth change as they mature from a puppy to adulthood. While it can be a little painful for a dog's deciduous teeth...
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,...
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...
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...