Puppies are full of curiosity about the world around them, and they like to explore their surroundings by tasting, chewing, and picking up objects in their mouths. A puppy can chose when it plays with or tries to eat a bone, toy, or ball but accidentally inhales it instead.

Normally, when a puppy swallows something, such as a bite of food or a treat, it travels down the esophagus into the stomach. The windpipe—or trachea—is located just below the opening of the esophagus in a puppy’s neck, and

A gallbladder infection can occur in cats of any age or breed. It can develop suddenly with severe symptoms in some cats, while others may have more mild symptoms. It’s often caused by a bacterial infection of the gallbladder and bile duct. Cats with gallbladder infections will show symptoms like loss of appetite, lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. They may also exhibit a yellow tint to their skin and gums. Gallbladder infections aren’t contagious, but usually occur when bacteria

The Egyptian mau may have descended from ancient Egyptian domestic cats, though definitive genetic linkages are difficult to trace. Egyptian art dating back to 1900 BCE depicted cats with similar spotted markings in the homes of Egyptians, and by 1450 BCE cats were commonly shown in many domestic situations, where it was likely that they formed close, mutually beneficial relationships with humans. Cats also became associated with the Egyptian goddess Bastet. The worship of Bastet remained popula

Megaesophagus is a condition that can occur in cats of all ages and breeds, either as an acquired disease or a condition they are born with. Siamese and Abyssian cats may be prone to an inherited form of megaesophagus. Cats with megaesophagus can’t swallow their food properly, and the most common symptom they’ll show is regurgitation. Alternatively, they'll spit up undigested food before it gets to the stomach. Megaesophagus is not a contagious condition. It may be caused by an underlying diseas

What I learned about hospice from caring for my terminal cat.