Other animal health problems

Halitosis or bad breath is a relatively common problem in dogs and can be caused by many different things. It is important to know, that this halitosis is not normal, should not be ignored and requires veterinary treatment. The causes of bad or ‘‘fishy’’ breath can range from dental hygiene problems to...

The appearance of a lump in the neck of our beloved dog is an understandable cause for concern. As we often pet them here, we may be more likely to detect it than other locations (e.g. some dogs may not enjoy being petted in their sensitive belly area). Lumps can appear like a ball under the skin or seem...

When a cat is throwing up white foam, it can be a symptom of a serious condition which can be gastrointestinal or more systemic. Although cats can vomit with some regularity and not have a serious health condition, it is very important we do not ignore this symptom. The color and consistency of cat vomit...

If your dog is shaking and can't stand up, it means they are experiencing tremors and mobility problems at the same time. There are many underlying causes of tremors which can result in shaking, but this does not necessarily mean the dog is losing balance or can't walk. Establishing a diagnosis requires going...

Many dogs are prone to vomiting. They do it when they eat something disagreeable, when they have overindulged or if they exercise too soon after eating. However, there is always a reason for it, whether relatively benign or a symptom of something more serious. Sometimes dogs may make the same retching sounds,...

Nosebleeds in dogs can be very worrying, especially if we are not around to see the cause. Scientifically known as ‘epistaxis’, nosebleeds occur when blood drips from the nostrils. This could be due to blunt trauma or due to some internal issue such as inflammation. Most people will have experienced a nosebleed...

When your dog experiences their first heat cycle, this is synonymous with having reached sexual maturity. In general, dogs experience two cycles per year. During these periods, they undergo various physiological and hormonal changes which can reflect in their behavior. Some dogs may appear sadder during...

A runny nose for a dog does not necessarily mean they have a health problem. It could mean something as small as a humid room or even being excited to see you. However, a runny nose accompanied by mucus that is thick, green, yellow or smelly can mean a serious health problem. It could be a sign of infection,...

Any bloody discharge from a dog's vagina can cause concern in their guardian. It is important to note that a sexually intact female dog will bleed from her privates curing her heat cycle, although it should not be profuse. This should not be the case if they have been spayed. It is much less likely for...

If your dog bleeds from anywhere, we need to ensure we discover the reason. While a thorn in a paw needs attention, it is not as concerning a symptom as throwing up blood. Although it is possible for a dog to throw up blood and act normal, it is usually concurrent with other symptoms which can help...

Is your dog struggling to keep balanced or appears to be uncoordinated? Is your dog showing symptoms of head tilting, tremors or vomiting? If so, your pup is most likely suffering from what is known as Ataxia. Ataxia in dogs is a vestibular disease caused by injuries of the proprioceptive sensibility...

Kidney failure in cats is an unfortunately common disorder. This is especially the case with older cats. Another term for this condition is renal failure and, while it may have different causes, they all amount to the same thing. Your kidneys no longer function properly. This can be a chronic disease...

Seeing someone limp could mean many things. Perhaps they have had a minor injury, did not stretch before exercise or are simply feeling the effects of age. In most cases, a person will be able to shine some light on the reason for their hobble. With dogs, providing an explanation may be somewhat harder....

After eating too much or too quickly, it is common to see our dog with a swollen belly. Perhaps they have even been putting on the pounds recently and they are simply in a need of a little diet and exercise. However, your dog’s belly is swollen and hard, then these are disconcerting symptoms. The cause of...

If your cat is losing teeth, the first thing we need to know is whether they are a kitten or adult cat. When a kitten develops into an adult cat, they will go through many changes. As they reach maturity, they will develop a set of adult teeth, but will have to lose their milk teeth first. When an adult...

When a female dog or cat is receptive to a male for mating, she is in heat. This is a stage of her estrus cycle when she is fertile and can become pregnant. Although they have an estrus cycle, rabbits do not go into heat like a cat or dog. This is because they mate thanks to a process known as induced...

Like us, cats can drool for different reasons and in response to different stimuli. Salivation is a normal and healthy phenomenon in their body, although it can be worrisome when it occurs excessively or suddenly. Did you ever indulge your cat with pampering in their favorite body parts and observe how...

Dehydration occurs due to a water and electrolytes imbalance in the body of the cat and this can cause serious complications and even death if left untreated. When the fluid level is lower than normal, the cat begins to dehydrate. There are some signs that will help you to know if your cat has lack...

You may have heard of the use of Benadryl for humans, as it is a popular antihistamine medicine. While we may think of dogs as being the ones which cause allergies, dogs can suffer just like their human guardians. If we go to the veterinarian, there are different types of allergy medication for dogs....

The death of a pet is the most unfortunate subject in terms of care. It is also one of the few experiences we can expect with all pets. While it will never be easy, it is something we need to prepare for. Some dogs can die unexpectedly, others may be more understandable given the context of the situation....

Death is a natural process experienced by all living things. At times it can be difficult to perceive, especially in cats. As you may already know, cats show little signs of pain or disease. If you suspect that your cat may be dying, we recommend reading these 5 symptoms that a cat is going to die, but...

When temperatures rise and spring comes we often feel like taking our dog for long walks outdoors, in parks or in fields. However we will encounter a problem during these walks: foxtails (or grass awns). These arrow-shaped spikelets are produced by some types of grasses that have gone to seed. They can become...

If you have a rabbit or are thinking of adopting one, you must be clued up on all their necessities to that your rabbit is happy and healthy. We must take into account that if our domestic rabbit is well cared for and is in good health, they can live up to 8 years. Rabbits, like any other animal are prone...

When we say the word "allergy", the first thing we all think of is Spring with its blooming flowers, pollen in the air and as a result, the itching and hay fever that can come with it. It's a time when we are more active and enjoy long walks in the countryside with our pets. For some, spring is an...

A dog will rub their nose regularly for various reasons, but it is not common for them to do so until it is raw. When they do this, it means there is something which is agitating them to the point they will cause a wound to appear. If causing an open wound is better than the sensation that exists, we...

We tend to think that cats are very resistant animals. Many of us almost attribute supernatural powers to them, such as that cats have seven lives. But, the reality is very different. Cats are masters in the art of disguising signs of pain. Because of this peculiarity, it is difficult to detect that...

Fish are incredibly sensitive animals. Seeing your fish not eating is very worrying, especially if you are new to having fish and do not know why it is happening. There are several reasons that could explain why your fish has stopped eating, and sometimes they are minor causes. Other times the reasons...

Imagine a world without dogs. Not nice to consider, is it? They have been such an integral part of our lives for thousands of years, it is too difficult to comprehend a life without them. This wonderful relationship between dog and human comes with great responsibility though. We must not only love...

The Weimaraner or Weimaraner Vorstehhund is a dog breed of German origin. It is easily recognizable thanks to its light grey fur and its equally pale eyes, which attract much attention and make it one of the most elegant dog breeds. In addition, this hunting dog is a great life companion as it has a gentle,...

Diabetes is a disease that requires special care and monitoring to allow the patient to lead a normal life. It is not exclusive to humans, as it also affects many animals, especially dogs and cats. At AnimalWised we know that if you suspect that your cat may suffer from diabetes you may feel worried...

If this is the first time you have a zebra finch, you will probably be very surprised when you notice it has started to tear out its feathers. This type of behavior, which can be quite scary for new owners, may be due to several factors. Are you wondering why does your zebra finch tear out its feathers?...

A hedgehog may keep scratching due to health problems such as skin disease or parasites. There is also some normal scratching a hedgehog when they go through a process called quilling. This is normal process, but it can be worrying for inexperienced guardians. Since hedgehogs are becoming more popular...

As occurs in males of most species, even in human beings, there is a stage in which testicles must descend from the abdominal cavity into the scrotal bag. Sometimes we may have doubts regarding the correct timing for this, if it varies between species, quality of life or diet. Surely these and other...

Like us, our canine friends also have a pancreas, a vital organ for the correct functioning of their digestive system. The pancreas affects the whole organism, as it releases glucagon and insulin, two hormones related to the metabolism of carbohydrates. Therefore, a change in your dog's nutrition will...

Also known as parakeets or budgies, budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus) are a type of small parrot which are common birds kept as pets. Although they are well suited to living in the home, they are not impervious to injuries such as a broken beak. We need to ensure we provide the right level of care so they...

The presence of blood in cat urine is a symptom that usually frightens owners, usually for a good reason. Hematuria - as it is known medically - is a symptom that may be related to various diseases, and one that requires an immediate assessment by a veterinary surgeon. In order to inform you and raise...

When you notice something that something might be wrong with your dog's health, it's essential to go to the vet as soon as possible so that they can conduct an examination and determine what it is that is affecting your pet's well-being. These worrying situations might come down to mild conditions...

You should never forget that your beloved cat is still a predator and its body has perfectly evolved for hunting. An example of this are its paw pads: a cat's foot pads are very sensitive, and this allows them to measure the temperature of a surface when they walk on it and to evaluate the texture of...

If you welcome a pet into your home, you should be aware that it is your responsibility as an owner to make sure your pet enjoys a full state of health and well-being. This is very important so that their body can function properly and they can live a long and happy life by your side. Did you know that...

When a rabbit's teeth are overgrown, they are said to have malocclusion. This because the teeth become misaligned between the upper and lower jaw. It is something which can cause serious trouble in the rabbit and even be fatal if not treated. Wild rabbits rarely develop malocclusion because their diet...

Leukemia is a form of cancer that affects the victim's bloodstream; starting from the bone marrow, it multiplies the number of white blood cells. It's a very serious condition, and it can be fatal for your dog if not detected early enough. This AnimalWised article will tell you all you need to know about...

Betta fish puff up as part of their natural behavior, often as a result of their highly aggressive nature. This is often the case for betta fish which share an aquarium with other fish species, some of which should not be allowed to remain in the same tank together. However, there are also pathological...

Homeopathy is an increasingly popular natural therapy for both humans and animals. This is so because of several reasons, among which we can highlight its effectiveness and excellent safety conditions, since homeopathy doesn't cause any adverse or side effects. In this AnimalWised article we'll delve...

When a dog is dehydrated, they will be in an immediate need of rehydration. Dehydration can be due to loss of electrolytes during exercise, hot ambient temperatures or even as a side effect to illness. When the dehydration is mild, we can use our homemade solution for dehydrated dogs from AnimalWised....

There are anti-inflammatory drugs especially made for dogs, and it is not so rare to use them to heal our pets. In order to help you understand how to keep your dog healthy, we at AnimalWised will tell you what these anti-inflammatory drugs are, what they do, and explain what are their possible side effects....

Conjunctivitis in dogs is an eye condition characterized by inflammation of the mucous membrane lining the inside of the eyelids. Sometimes the swelling may be accompanied by an infection. We will identify this as the eyes of our dog will normally become red, teary or present rheum. At AnimalWised we...