If your cat has a runny nose and is breathing noisily, there may be a harmless cause. However, sometimes this can also be a sign of an illness that requires urgent treatment
Watch out for any accompanying symptoms: Does your cat appear healthy and agile overall? Or is it listless and tired? Does it seem somehow different? If so, it could be cat flu (see related article). This is an infectious disease of the respiratory tract and mucous membranes in the cat's head. It can be contracted through direct contact with an infected cat, but also through food or contact with people who have been in contact with infected cats. If you have even the slightest suspicion of cat flu, you should take your cat to your veterinarian. Quick treatment is important. Otherwise, chronic problems and consequential damage can develop. One of the most important preventive measures for cats is vaccination (see article on cat flu). And don't be afraid to contact your veterinarian once too often.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not replace veterinary advice. Please contact your veterinary practice directly.
You love sports—and you love your dog. So why not combine the two? Even if you're looking for competition or new challenges, or want to take your sport to the extreme, you can do it with your canine partner.
This highly contagious viral infection, found worldwide, is named after the Hungarian veterinary pathologist Aladar Aujeszky, who first described the disease in 1902. It is caused by the porcine herpesvirus. Dogs and cats can contract the disease, as can cattle, sheep, and goats. Horses and humans are resistant. The disease is also known as pseudorabies and is always fatal in dogs and cats. Aujeszky’s disease is a notifiable animal disease and is controlled by the government.
The family has agreed that it's time to get a pet. However, it should be an animal that doesn't require too much work. It should bring joy, but not demand too much attention – and ideally, it should be something that even a primary school child can help look after. Does this sound like a familiar list of requirements? Then a small group of guinea pigs could be just right for you.
Animals also require blood transfusions in cases of significant blood loss due to accidents or surgery, coagulation disorders, and various medical conditions. Blood is collected from donor animals for this purpose. As with humans, animals have different blood types that must be taken into account.
If the nictitating gland, located under the inner corner of the eye, protrudes outward, this is referred to as nictitating gland prolapse. It appears like a cherry and is therefore also known as cherry eye. Short-headed breeds are particularly affected.
It is natural for your horse to occasionally shake its head to ward off insects or because it is excited or tense. However, involuntary, persistent head tossing without any apparent cause is no longer natural. It is characteristic of headshaking syndrome. Unlike cribbing or weaving, headshaking syndrome is usually not a behavioral disorder, but a neurological condition that should be investigated by a veterinarian.
There are many different arguments for different types of dog food. What is best for which dog and how feeding can be integrated into the daily routine of those caring for them varies according to individual needs. Below you will find some recommendations and ideas on this topic.
In animals, assisted dying, the so-called euthanasia, is permitted under certain circumstances regulated by animal welfare laws. If suffering can no longer be alleviated, painless euthanasia can be a relief for your animal. But when is the right time, and how does euthanasia work?
Deaf or hearing-impaired animals may have limitations, but they can live just as happy a life as those with normal hearing. The causes of hearing loss vary greatly. But how can you tell if your pet is truly deaf? And what can you do to make life easier for them?
A defect in the MDR1 gene is now inherited within many dog and cat breeds. Affected animals are very sensitive to certain medications. This can lead to severe poisoning and even death. Genetic testing is strongly recommended for certain breeds.
Whether due to age or medical reasons, at certain points in your cat's life, a change in diet is necessary. However, if you want to change your cat's food, there are a few rules you should follow to make the transition as comfortable as possible for your pet. For example, you should introduce your cat to new food gradually to avoid possible digestive problems. Follow our simple seven-day guide to ensure that your cat's transition to a new diet is safe and gentle.
Blood poisoning, also known as sepsis, is a severe inflammatory response of the entire body to an infection or a non-infectious cause. It is a life-threatening condition that must be recognized and treated as quickly as possible.
