Health Conditions
72 condition guides covering common pet health issues and their treatments.
Dogs
Allergies in Dogs: Atopic Dermatitis, Food & Environmental Allergies
Comprehensive guide to dog allergies including atopic dermatitis, food allergies, and environmental triggers. Learn about Apoquel, Cytopoint, Zenrelia, antihistamines, steroids, and immunotherapy options.
Anxiety in Dogs: Separation Anxiety, Noise Phobia & Treatment Options
Guide to canine anxiety including separation anxiety, noise phobia, and generalized anxiety. Learn about trazodone, fluoxetine (Reconcile), clomipramine (Clomicalm), and Sileo.
Arthritis in Dogs: Osteoarthritis Treatment, Medications & Management
Guide to osteoarthritis in dogs covering NSAIDs like carprofen and meloxicam, Galliprant, Librela (with Feb 2025 label update), gabapentin, Adequan, and multimodal pain management.
Chronic Kidney Disease in Dogs
Guide to chronic kidney disease (CKD) in dogs — stages, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment with renal diets, fluid therapy, and medications including benazepril and phosphate binders.
Cushing's Disease in Dogs (Hyperadrenocorticism)
Comprehensive guide to Cushing's disease in dogs — causes, symptoms, diagnostic testing, treatment with trilostane or mitotane, and long-term management of hyperadrenocorticism.
Diabetes Mellitus in Dogs: Insulin Types, Monitoring & Management
Comprehensive guide to canine diabetes mellitus. Learn about insulin types (Vetsulin, glargine, NPH), blood glucose monitoring, diet, exercise, and long-term management strategies for diabetic dogs.
Ear Infections in Dogs: Otitis Externa Treatment & Medications
Complete guide to ear infections (otitis externa) in dogs including otibiotic drops, trizEDTA ear cleaners, oral antibiotics, antifungals, and prevention strategies.
Heart Disease in Dogs: Congestive Heart Failure & Mitral Valve Disease
Learn about canine heart disease including congestive heart failure, mitral valve disease, and dilated cardiomyopathy — symptoms, diagnosis, medications like Vetmedin and furosemide, and long-term management.
Hypothyroidism in Dogs
Guide to canine hypothyroidism — causes, symptoms, diagnosis through thyroid panels, treatment with levothyroxine, and long-term management for dogs with underactive thyroid glands.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) in Dogs
Guide to inflammatory bowel disease in dogs — types, symptoms, endoscopic diagnosis, treatment with immunosuppressives and dietary therapy, and long-term management strategies.
Kennel Cough & Respiratory Infections in Dogs
Guide to kennel cough (canine infectious respiratory disease complex) in dogs — causes including Bordetella, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, vaccination, and when to seek emergency care.
Seizures & Epilepsy in Dogs: Medications, Monitoring & Management
Comprehensive guide to canine seizures and epilepsy. Learn about anticonvulsant medications including phenobarbital, potassium bromide, levetiracetam (Keppra), and zonisamide, plus monitoring requirements and emergency response.
Urinary Tract Infections in Dogs
Guide to urinary tract infections (UTIs) in dogs — causes, symptoms, diagnostic testing including urine culture, antibiotic treatment options, and prevention strategies.
Cats
Diabetes Mellitus in Cats
Guide to feline diabetes mellitus — causes, symptoms, insulin therapy options including Lantus and ProZinc, home blood glucose monitoring, dietary management, and the possibility of diabetic remission.
Feline Anxiety & Stress: Causes, Signs & Treatment Options
Guide to anxiety and stress-related disorders in cats, including inappropriate elimination, overgrooming, and hiding, with behavioral and pharmacological treatment options.
Feline Asthma (Lower Airway Disease)
Guide to feline asthma — causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment with inhaled corticosteroids and bronchodilators using AeroKat chambers, and emergency management of asthma attacks in cats.
Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD)
Guide to FLUTD in cats — causes including feline idiopathic cystitis, urinary blockages, bladder stones, symptoms, emergency treatment, and long-term management strategies.
Hyperthyroidism in Cats: Symptoms, Treatment & Medication Guide
Complete guide to feline hyperthyroidism, the most common endocrine disease in cats. Covers methimazole, radioiodine therapy, surgery, and Hill's y/d diet.
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) in Cats: Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment
Guide to feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), the most common heart disease in cats, covering echocardiography, medications, and thromboembolism prevention.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) in Cats: Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment
Comprehensive guide to feline inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including causes, diagnosis by biopsy, and treatment with corticosteroids, diet changes, and immunosuppressants.
Kidney Disease in Cats: CKD Stages, Treatment & Medications
Guide to chronic kidney disease (CKD) in cats including IRIS staging, benazepril, amlodipine, phosphorus binders, subcutaneous fluids, and dietary management.
Pain Management in Cats: Safe Medications & Treatment Approaches
Guide to feline pain management including osteoarthritis, post-surgical pain, and chronic pain, with safe analgesic options and drugs to avoid in cats.
Upper Respiratory Infections in Cats: Causes, Treatment & Prevention
Guide to feline upper respiratory infections (cat flu) caused by herpesvirus, calicivirus, and bacteria, including symptoms, treatment, and vaccination.
Horses
Colic in Horses: Causes, Emergency Signs & Treatment
Comprehensive guide to equine colic, the leading cause of death in horses, covering types, emergency recognition, medical treatment, and surgical indications.
Equine Recurrent Uveitis (Moon Blindness): Causes, Treatment & Management
Guide to equine recurrent uveitis (ERU, moon blindness), the leading cause of blindness in horses, covering diagnosis, medical treatment, and surgical options.
Equine Wound Care & Proud Flesh: Treatment & Management Guide
Guide to horse wound care including laceration management, proud flesh (exuberant granulation tissue) prevention, bandaging, and when wounds require veterinary suturing.
Gastric Ulcers (EGUS) in Horses: Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment
Guide to equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS), including squamous and glandular ulcers, omeprazole treatment, and prevention strategies for performance horses.
Heaves / Recurrent Airway Obstruction (Equine Asthma) in Horses
Guide to equine asthma (heaves, RAO, IAD) including environmental management, bronchodilator therapy, and corticosteroid treatment for horses with chronic cough.
Joint Disease & Navicular Syndrome in Horses: Diagnosis & Treatment
Guide to equine joint disease including osteoarthritis and navicular syndrome, covering intra-articular therapies, systemic treatments, and management strategies.
Laminitis & Founder in Horses: Causes, Treatment & Prevention
Complete guide to equine laminitis (founder), including pathophysiology, acute treatment, chronic management, and prevention of this devastating hoof condition.
Rain Rot (Dermatophilosis) in Horses: Causes, Treatment & Prevention
Guide to rain rot in horses caused by Dermatophilus congolensis, including identification, topical and systemic treatment, and prevention strategies.
Scratches / Mud Fever (Pastern Dermatitis) in Horses: Treatment Guide
Guide to pastern dermatitis (scratches, mud fever, greasy heel) in horses, covering causes, treatment with topical and systemic therapies, and prevention.
Strangles in Horses: Causes, Treatment & Biosecurity
Guide to strangles (Streptococcus equi) in horses, covering transmission, clinical signs, treatment protocols, carrier detection, and biosecurity measures.
Birds
Aspergillosis in Birds (Fungal Respiratory Infection)
Guide to aspergillosis in pet birds — causes, risk factors, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment with itraconazole and voriconazole, and the importance of environmental management.
Bacterial Respiratory Infections in Birds
Guide to bacterial respiratory infections in pet birds — causes, symptoms including tail bobbing and voice changes, diagnosis, antibiotic treatment, and the importance of early veterinary care.
Egg Binding (Dystocia) in Birds
Guide to egg binding in pet birds — causes, emergency symptoms, diagnosis, treatment with calcium gluconate and oxytocin, and prevention strategies for this avian emergency.
External & Internal Parasites in Birds
Guide to parasites in pet birds — mites, lice, roundworms, Giardia, and other parasites including symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment with ivermectin, fenbendazole, and metronidazole.
Feather Destructive Behavior / Feather Plucking in Birds
Guide to feather plucking in parrots — medical vs. behavioral causes, diagnostic workup, treatment with environmental enrichment and medications like haloperidol and gabapentin.
Gastrointestinal Disease in Birds (Avian Gastric Yeast, Bacterial Enteritis)
Guide to GI diseases in pet birds — avian gastric yeast (megabacteriosis), bacterial enteritis, crop infections, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options.
Proventricular Dilatation Disease (PDD / Avian Bornavirus) in Birds
Guide to proventricular dilatation disease in parrots — causes, symptoms including weight loss and undigested food, diagnosis, treatment with celecoxib, and prognosis.
Psittacine Beak & Feather Disease (PBFD)
Guide to PBFD in parrots — causes, symptoms including feather loss and beak abnormalities, PCR diagnosis, prognosis, and biosecurity measures for this incurable viral disease.
Psittacosis in Birds (Chlamydia psittaci / Parrot Fever)
Guide to psittacosis in pet birds — causes, symptoms, the required 45-day doxycycline treatment course, zoonotic risk to humans, and prevention strategies.
Rabbits
Dental Disease in Rabbits (Malocclusion & Molar Spurs)
Guide to dental disease in rabbits — causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment including dental filing and extraction, and the critical role of hay in dental health.
Encephalitozoon cuniculi (E. cuniculi) in Rabbits
Guide to E. cuniculi infection in rabbits — causes, symptoms including head tilt and kidney disease, diagnosis, treatment with fenbendazole, and prognosis.
Fly Strike (Myiasis) in Rabbits
Guide to fly strike in rabbits — causes, prevention, emergency recognition, treatment, and why this condition is a life-threatening emergency requiring immediate veterinary care.
GI Stasis in Rabbits (Gastrointestinal Stasis Syndrome)
Guide to GI stasis in rabbits — the most common emergency in pet rabbits, including causes, symptoms, treatment with fluids, prokinetics, and pain management, and prevention strategies.
Myxomatosis in Rabbits (UK/Europe/Australia)
Guide to myxomatosis in rabbits — causes, symptoms, vaccination, treatment limitations, and why this viral disease remains a devastating threat in affected regions.
Pasteurellosis / Snuffles in Rabbits (Pasteurella multocida)
Guide to pasteurellosis (snuffles) in rabbits — causes, symptoms including nasal discharge and head tilt, treatment with rabbit-safe antibiotics, and why amoxicillin is fatal to rabbits.
Uterine Disease & Adenocarcinoma in Rabbits
Guide to uterine disease in female rabbits — uterine adenocarcinoma, endometrial hyperplasia, pyometra, the critical role of spaying, and treatment options.
Reptiles
Atadenovirus (Adenovirus) Infection in Bearded Dragons
Guide to atadenovirus infection in bearded dragons — clinical signs including hepatitis, GI disease, and CNS signs, diagnosis via PCR, supportive treatment, and prognosis.
Dysecdysis (Retained Shed) in Reptiles
Guide to retained shed in reptiles — causes including low humidity, symptoms, safe removal techniques, treatment, and prevention through proper husbandry.
Infectious Stomatitis (Mouth Rot) in Reptiles
Guide to mouth rot in reptiles — causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment with debridement and antibiotics, and the role of husbandry correction in recovery.
Internal & External Parasites in Reptiles
Guide to parasites in reptiles — pinworms, coccidia, cryptosporidium, mites, and ticks, including diagnosis through fecal exams, treatment, and prevention.
Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD) in Reptiles
Guide to metabolic bone disease in reptiles — causes including calcium deficiency and UVB deprivation, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment with calcium and vitamin D3, and prevention strategies.
Respiratory Infections in Reptiles
Guide to respiratory infections in reptiles — causes, symptoms, the critical role of temperature in treatment, diagnosis, and antibiotics used in bearded dragons, ball pythons, and turtles.
Shell Rot in Turtles & Tortoises
Guide to shell rot in turtles and tortoises — causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment with antiseptics and antibiotics, and the importance of proper basking and water quality.
Thermal Burns in Reptiles: Causes, Treatment & Prevention
Guide to thermal burns in reptiles from heat lamps, heat mats, and hot rocks — grading, emergency treatment, wound care with silver sulfadiazine, and husbandry corrections.
Ferrets
Adrenal Disease in Ferrets
Adrenocortical disease is one of the most common endocrine disorders in pet ferrets, causing hair loss, vulvar swelling, and behavioral changes due to excess sex steroid production.
Dental Disease in Ferrets
Tartar accumulation, gingivitis, and fractured teeth are common in pet ferrets and can contribute to systemic illness if left untreated.
Epizootic Catarrhal Enteritis (ECE) in Ferrets
ECE, also known as Green Slime Disease, is a highly contagious coronavirus infection of ferrets causing profuse green mucoid diarrhea.
Heartworm Disease in Ferrets
Ferrets are highly susceptible to Dirofilaria immitis, and because of their small heart size, even a single worm can be fatal — making prevention essential.
Influenza in Ferrets
Ferrets are uniquely susceptible to human influenza viruses and can catch the flu from infected household members — making it one of the few zoonotic diseases that flows from people to pets.
Insulinoma in Ferrets
Insulinoma is a pancreatic beta-cell tumor that secretes insulin inappropriately, causing life-threatening hypoglycemia; it is one of the most common cancers in US pet ferrets.
Lymphoma in Ferrets
Lymphoma is one of the most common cancers in pet ferrets, presenting in many forms from slowly progressive lymphocytic disease in older ferrets to aggressive lymphoblastic disease in juveniles.
Fish
Columnaris (Cotton Wool Disease) in Aquarium Fish
Guide to columnaris disease in aquarium fish — a fast-moving Flavobacterium columnare infection often mistaken for fungus, causing white patches and fin erosion.
Dropsy in Aquarium Fish
Guide to dropsy in aquarium fish — a symptom of organ failure, kidney dysfunction, or severe bacterial infection causing abdominal swelling and raised scales.
Fin Rot in Aquarium Fish
Guide to bacterial fin rot in aquarium fish — causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment with antibiotics, and prevention through water quality management.
Fungal Infections in Aquarium Fish
Guide to fungal infections in aquarium fish — Saprolegnia and similar oomycetes causing cottony growths, with diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.
Ich (White Spot Disease) in Aquarium Fish
Guide to Ichthyophthirius multifiliis in freshwater fish and Cryptocaryon irritans in marine fish — causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.
Internal Parasites in Aquarium Fish
Guide to internal parasites in aquarium fish — including flukes, tapeworms, nematodes, and Hexamita, with diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.
Swim Bladder Disease in Aquarium Fish
Guide to swim bladder disorders in aquarium fish — causes include constipation, bacterial infection, and congenital anatomy in fancy goldfish and bettas.
Velvet Disease (Oodinium) in Aquarium Fish
Guide to velvet disease in freshwater and marine fish — caused by Piscinoodinium and Amyloodinium, presents as a gold dust coating on the body.