Other animal health problems

We do not expect a female dog to bleed from her private area if she has been spayed. Also known as an ovariohysterectomy, spaying is a process whereby the reproductive organs of the dog are removed. This means the dog cannot go into their heat cycle, something which can be accompanied by a certain amount...

Creatinine is a byproduct of protein metabolism in the muscles and it is eventually filtered out by the kidneys. This means that elevated creatinine levels in a dog are either a result of increased production or a problem in its elimination which leads to a build up. The causes of these elevated creatinine levels...

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...

Hamsters have become an increasingly popular domestic pet. Although they require little space and relatively simple care, this does not mean they are invulnerable to stress. These rodents need special attention when it comes to their behavior and animal welfare. In the wild they serve as prey to many...

Petting our cat has many benefits for both the feline and ourselves. Not only does it reduce stress and strengthen our bond together, it gives us an opportunity to observe them for any problems. If we pass our hands over their ears and feel a warm temperature, it might be cause for concern. If a cat has...

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...

We may not notice our cat has a bloated and hard belly until the problem has progressed. This is because cats do not often like their bellies being touched. Their undersides are sensitive since many of their vital organs are located in this vulnerable region. Such vulnerability is also the reason why...

Have you recently adopted a guinea pig and are wondering how to care for it? If you have a guinea pig it is very important to make sure that you maintain its health accordingly. If you believe that your guinea pig may be ill, we suggest consulting your veterinarian as soon as possible. If they are suffering...

You may or may not have heard of Horner's syndrome, but it is something which can affect any dog. This is because it is essentially nerve damage, resulting in various symptoms which affect the eyes. This symptoms are such that they are generally easy for guardians to spot in their dogs, especially if you...

Hamsters will scratch harmlessly as part of their daily grooming routine. Whether they are scratching themselves, licking to remove dirt or scratching at their cage to move bedding into a more comfortable position, a certain amount needs to be tolerated. However, when this behavior is repeated too frequently...

Vomiting and diarrhea are relatively common in dogs and can sometimes worry their owners. This situation can become increasingly worrying if it doesn't desist or if there is an appearance of blood in the vomit or feces. Some symptoms such; anorexia, apathy or fever can even worsen this clinical case. In...

Rectal bleeding in dogs is always cause for alarm among pet guardians, although there are many causes of this symptom. The type of blood can differ, helping us to know its origin. The amount of blood is also an important factor. A dog dripping blood from their anus is likely in more danger than a dog...

Allergies appear when the immune system develops an adverse or exaggerated response to an allergen. An allergic reaction leads to high release of histamine in the body. This hypersensitivity occurs as a consequence of the ingestion of certain foods or compounds. Food allergies in felines can cause several...

The Doberman Pinscher is a remarkably elegant, intelligent and sensitive dog. This dog stands out among the 5 smartest dog breeds. According to Stanley Coren, psychology professor and neuropsychological researcher, Dobermans are able to learn, memorize and reproduce with great excellence and speed. In...

We all know how annoying persistent hiccups can be. We may have heard many old wives tales about how to cure them, but it might not be as easy to make your cat drink from the other side of their bowl. They can be frustrating, but it's important to know they are not very common in cats. The first thing...

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...

Unless they have eaten something which is yellow in color, the yellow liquid a cat vomits is likely to be bile. This is a yellowish or greenish liquid which is produced in the liver. Bile is important for healthy digestion in cats and its production is essential in breaking down certain lipids. While bile...

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...

Gastritis is one of the most common gastrointestinal diseases among domestic felines. It is characterized by an inflammation of the gastric mucosa, which can be acute or chronic. Gastritis can affect cats of all ages, whether they are mestizos or of a defined breed. However it is more common in felines...

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...

In general, a cat drinking more water than usual is not normal and is usually a symptom that something is wrong. An average cat weighing 4 kilos (8.8 lbs) should take approximately 180 ml/day, if they are overweight and also urinate a lot, it means that something is happening and we should go to the vet....

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....

Do you think that your cat may have otitis? Are you sure how otitis may have appeared in the your faithful companion's ears? What are the symptoms, what does it mean and can it lead to further consequences? If you are interested in knowing everything to do with otitis in cats, carefully read this AnimalWised...

Anal or peri anal glands are actually a way of communication between cats, since the characteristic smell that they secrete gives other cats information on the cat's identity. It is normal for cats, both male and female, to empty its contents when they defecate, thus lubricating the anus. In other situations...

We all know of the genuine and independent character of cats, but the fact is that these domestic felines need all our care, as they are susceptible to suffer numerous diseases, as many other animals and humans can. This is why sometimes, your cat may need to take oral medications and some of them may not be...

Canine atopic dermatitis, also known as AD, is a chronic skin disease that causes inflammation or hypersensitivity due to an allergy. Affected dogs scratch and rub constantly to try to ease their discomfort. It mainly affects young dogs but can also occur in adults. Its origin is unknown but it is thought...

A female dog licking her privates more than usual could affected by their heat cycle, urinary tract infection, allergies, skin irritation or inflammation, behavioral issues, vaginal discharge or even infection or injury. It should be noted that licking their genitals is a normal part of a dog's grooming...

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...