Other animal health problems

Being concerned that your elderly cat has a tumor is understandable. Unfortunately, as our cat's age, their immune response goes down and their chances of developing certain diseases go up. Tumors are one such health issue which increases in likelihood for older cats. Not all tumors will be malign or cancerous....

If you observe that your dog’s anus is reddened or inflamed, one would initially assume that this would be a sign of a dog hemorrhoid. However, other than in exceptional cases, dogs do not actually suffer from hemorrhoids. But then, if my dog’s anus is inflamed and/or swollen and it’s not as a result of...

Cats are resilient creatures. Although not immortal, they are agile, can withstand high falls and will defend themselves if necessary. Such resilience means they are also able to endure a lot of pain without manifesting obvious symptoms. While this is a credit to the cat's strength, it makes it difficult...

Feline hyperthyroidism is a disease which can often go unnoticed. The disease progresses and begins to affect hormone production in the cat incrementally. As our communication with our cat relies on observing their body language and behavior, there may not be much of a change. This is at least until...

If we discover a lump on our cat's neck, it is understandable we will be worried. While our mind might jump to a worse case scenario, it is important to know there are many reasons for this. Some are relatively benign and others may need specific treatment. Only a veterinary medical professional will...

In this AnimalWised article we will be discussing everything you need to know about pulmonary edema in dogs. Pulmonary edema is the accumulation of fluid in the lungs and can occur from multiple causes, such as cardiomegaly or cancer. Finding out the pulmonary edema cause is key when prescribing the correct...

Chemotherapy for dogs, as with humans, is an intensive course of canine cancer treatment. While often successful in treating certain cancers, especially if diagnosed early enough, it can also be debilitating and painful. For dogs, they are unlikely to understand why they are being made so ill, even if...

Mastocytoma in dogs is a common type of skin tumor in dogs which can appear either benign or malignant. Although it usually affects older dogs of any breed, brachycephalic dog breeds, such as boxers or bulldogs, are more prone to developing mastocytoma. Prognosis and treatment of mast cell tumor in dogs...

There are several causes of sore throat in cats and it is a caregiver’s responsibility to be able to identify if their cat has a sore throat and how to treat it correctly. But what are the common causes, symptoms and treatment of sore throat in cats? You may also be wondering how to tell if a cat has...

Have you noticed that your dog’s snoring has gotten louder? Are you wondering why your dog is snoring while awake? Sure, dogs like humans, do snore. But at times if the snoring worsens or occurs when the animal is awake, it could be a sign of pathology. Snoring in dogs is more common in brachycephalic...

Our dog's overall health and well-being is down to many factors. One of the most important elements is ensuring that we, as guardians, pay close attention to any physiological changes. If we see that our dog's nipple is leaking, then we will understandably grow concerned. Discharge from a dog's nipple isn't...

Have you noticed that your cat is rapidly breathing while sleeping? How about your cat breathing fast after giving birth? Breathing difficulties in cats or rapid breathing in cats is ALWAYS a cause for concern. If your cat is breathing faster than normal or is experiencing shortness of breath (dyspnea),...

When you say to yourself my cat's breath smells like death, you will need to make an important distinction. This distinction is whether you are asking if your cat smells very bad or if they smell like they are dying. While neither are positive signs for your cat's health, one is more worrying than the...

If you share your home with one or more hamsters, you’ll already know that these animals have an insatiable appetite. This is why hamsters often gain weight quickly and are prone to obesity. If your hamster is not eating or drinking, it’s not normal. A hamster not eating is in fact a cause for concern. Lack...

Have you notice that your dog won’t eat or drink? This is naturally a worrisome sign. The absence of appetite in dogs may indicating the presence of a pathology. In fact, if your dog IS NOT hungry, it is a common symptom of several diseases. Have you noticed that your dog won’t eat dry food or any food...

The characteristics of your cat's stool can provide you with a lot of information about your cat’s health. Have you noticed green cat poop in your garden? How about blood in your cat poop? The color of your cat’s stool can tell you whether or not your cat is ill. If you notice anything strange in your...

As winter approaches, many dog guardians can wonder how the cold will affect their dog. They will want to protect their canine pals from a very low body temperature and the related concerns brought about by wold weather. Although some dogs are better protected from the cold than others, such as the Siberian...

Have you noticed that all of a sudden my cat can’t walk? Are you wondering about the common causes that may explain why your cat can’t walk or why your cat is struggling to walk? Although the reasons that cause this difficulty are not always serious, it is usually necessary to go to your veterinarian...

Our cat's groom themselves a lot. They are famous for it. And they really know how to reach everywhere. It is not uncommon for them to spend what seems like an impolite amount of time grooming their genital region. However, since this area can get messier than others, it is a normal and healthy activity....

If your cat cannot pee or poo you should go to a veterinarian immediately. In order to maintain an adequate health status, a cat needs to eliminate urine and feces. If a cat can’t pee or poop, toxic substances will accumulate in its body and can result in serious feline health problems. If you notice that your...

You don't necessarily notice a problem in your dog's back legs immediately. It could be that a dog doesn't start losing control of their back legs suddenly. Instead, they may develop weak back legs over a long period of time, gradually losing control. If your dog is starting to lose control over their...

It is bad enough when our dog pees in their own bed. It is unhygienic and can cause discomfort for the dog. When a dog pees in our bed, it is particularly frustrating as the clean up is not always easy. It can ruin sheets and even damage mattresses. If you ask yourself “why has my dog peed on my bed?”,...

While we think of the popularity of rabbits as pets being a relatively recent phenomenon, there have been organizations dedicated to their rearing for over a century[1]. This increase in popularity has also lead to the need for more veterinarians to become specialized in bunny health. However, the first line...

If we see our cat coughing and wheezing, our mind can jump to many conclusions. The intensity and frequency of the choking sounds from our cat will determine how panicked we may be, but it's important to know something is causing it. Whether this is something we need to be worried about will depend on...

Rabbits are well-known for being particularly furry creatures. Some breeds such as the Angora have fur which is well known for its abundance, but there are no naturally hairless rabbit breeds. If we see a rabbit which is losing their fur, then this is indicative of an underlying problem. Whether this...

The way rabbits communicate may seem mysterious at first. As we get to know them, we can see that rabbits will show signs of happiness, stress or even infection in their own way. It is up to use to ensure we interpret these signs carefully. When it comes to a rabbit's health, there are signs of an underlying...

Is your cat overgrooming? If your cat is licking everything or even if your cat is licking a specific area a lot, it may be a sign of pathology. Cats lick themselves naturally, in order to groom and keep clean. However, this behavior should not be excessive. If your cat licks itself raw, it is important...

The sterilization of a dog is an issue that worries many caregivers. You might already know about the advantages of this surgical procedure. While minimal, canine sterilization also has associated risks. We shouldn't ignore symptoms of the possible negative effects of spaying, castration or other forms...

When our dogs get older, it is not uncommon for their bodies to not function as well as before. This is an unfortunate, yet natural facet of aging. However, since bodily functions are affected by the condition of the vital organs, it is not always possible to determine a dog's health from physical examinations....

Hair loss in dogs can happen for a variety of reasons, both as natural processes and as signs of an underlying problem. The former can be due to various factors such as age of the dog or the time of year. The latter has even more diverse causes and we need to pay close attention to concurrent symptoms....

A transmissible venereal tumor (TVT) can affect both male and female dogs. The sex of the individual dog is not as important, however, as their rate of sexual activity. If dog guardians want to know how to best prevent venereal tumors in dogs, then we need to stress the importance of sterilization. Neutering...

As with all mammals, a dog's liver is a vital organ and as such carries out functions necessary to maintaining life. Specifically, the liver removes toxins in the blood and passes them out as part of various biological cycles. For example, ammonia is converted to urea which is then exited the body via...

Have you observed that your dog has been struggling to breathe? When faced with such a situation, it is essential to act quickly. When it comes to dogs and breathing difficulties, they are often related to pathologies that need to be diagnosed and treated as fast as possible. Respiratory difficulties in...

With advancements in veterinary medicine and a greater general knowledge about canine health, dogs have a better chance than ever to live a long life. Unfortunately, with an older dog population come more diagnoses of certain diseases exacerbated by age. Lymphoma is one such disease. Lymphoma is the...

Although human beings can contract various diseases through birds, that does not mean that they cannot be kept as pets. The probability of contracting a zoonotic disease varies according to a space’s hygiene, our own body hygiene or the animal’s state of health. It is important to remember that regular visits...

Urinary incontinence in dogs is defined as an involuntary evacuation of urine. Urinary incontinence highlights that of a dog losing control over their bladder. In such cases it is normal for a dog to experience, for example, nocturnal enuresis, that is, when a dog urinates in their sleep. You may also...

Nowadays, Hamsters have become a popular domestic pet. Although they require little space and relatively simple care, these rodents need special attention when it comes to their behavior and animal welfare. This is due to the fact that in the wild they serve as prey to many predators. This gives them a very...

We might think that ligament injury is something reserved for those who engage in athletic activities on a regular basis. The unfortunate fact is that anyone with an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) can tear or rupture it, with many different factors contributing to the likelihood of it occurring. Our...

Our understand of a cat's well-being is sometimes too closely associated with that of a human's well-being. If we do this, we underestimate the differences people and felines have in terms of both physiology and psychology. This means we may look at certain symptoms in our cats and then make assumptions...

As with many edibles designed to improve our health, medications can often taste unpleasant. If your cat has already experienced ingesting medicine, they may begin to shake if they think you are going to administer them. It can be a very stressful situation for both pet and caregiver. For this reason it is very...