Start with a guide
Use these resources to prepare questions, understand recommendations, and reinforce the plan discussed with your veterinary team.
VETERINARY-INFORMED EDUCATION FOR MANY SPECIES
Better information.
Healthier pets.
Practical guidance for dogs, cats, rabbits, small mammals, birds, equines, reptiles, amphibians, poultry, aquatic animals, bees and livestock—designed to help you understand care and recognize when a veterinarian is needed.
WHAT IS COMPANION HEALTH LIBRARY?
Reliable animal-health education for the questions between visits.
Companion Health Library translates trusted veterinary and public-health information into useful, approachable guidance for animal owners and caregivers. Understand what you are seeing, why your veterinarian recommends a test or treatment, how to prepare for care and when an animal needs help.
Source-backed guidancePlain-language explanationsMany species—not only dogs and catsSTART WITH THE ANIMAL YOU CARE FOR
Every species deserves its own care plan.
Find a dedicated starting point with species-specific wellness, nutrition, preventive care, health concerns and emergency guidance.
Dogs
Canine wellness, feeding and prevention
Explore species →
Cats
Feline wellness, feeding and indoor care
Explore species →
Domestic Equines
Horses, donkeys and mules
Explore species →
Rabbits
Feeding, teeth, housing and emergencies
Explore species →
Small Mammals
Guinea pigs, ferrets, rodents and more
Explore species →
Companion Birds
Parrots, finches, canaries and doves
Explore species →
Reptiles & Amphibians
Lizards, snakes, turtles and amphibians
Explore species →
Domestic Poultry
Chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys and quail
Explore species →
Aquatic Animals
Ornamental fish, aquariums and ponds
Explore species →
Honeybees
Colony health, nutrition and apiary care
Explore species →
Livestock & Camelids
Sheep, goats, cattle, pigs, llamas and alpacas
Explore species →THE MOST USEFUL PLACES TO START
Find answers without knowing a diagnosis.
Choose the question or concern that brought you here, then use the information to prepare for a conversation with your veterinary team.
FIND VETERINARY CARE
Locate the right clinic
Search nearby general practices, veterinary urgent care, emergency hospitals and specialty services.
Find veterinary care nearby →URGENT CAREIs it an emergency?
Recognize trouble breathing, collapse, seizures, poisoning and other signs that cannot wait.
Review emergency signs →INTERACTIVE COMPARISONCompare preventatives
Compare flea, tick, heartworm and intestinal-parasite coverage without guessing which product is best.
Compare preventive products →SYMPTOM NAVIGATORWhat am I seeing?
Start with vomiting, limping, appetite loss, urinary changes and other concerning symptoms.
Explore symptoms →INTERACTIVE PARASITE LIBRARYUnderstand parasites
Explore appearance, life cycles, affected animals, prevention and human-health relevance.
Browse the parasite library →SPECIES-SPECIFIC FEEDINGFeed the right species
Understand everyday nutrition, common feeding mistakes, water needs and when to call.
Find a nutrition guide →VETERINARY TESTINGUnderstand diagnostics
Learn why veterinarians recommend bloodwork, urine tests, fecal testing and imaging.
Explore common tests →IMPORTANT VETERINARY-INFORMATION DISCLAIMER
Education supports care. It does not replace it.
Companion Health Library provides general educational information—not a diagnosis, individual treatment plan, prescription or emergency veterinary assessment. Recommendations depend on the animal’s species, age, medical history, living conditions and examination findings.
If an animal has difficulty breathing, collapses, cannot urinate, has repeated seizures, severe bleeding or a possible poisoning, contact a veterinarian or emergency veterinary hospital immediately.
Read our editorial standards and medical-review policy →SEARCH THE LIBRARY
Find the right guide
Search by question, symptom, species, diagnostic test or type of care.
245 guides
All species · Diagnostic testing · Routine careComplete Blood CountA blood-cell assessment that helps veterinarians investigate anemia, inflammation, infection, clotting-related concerns and overall patient health.All species · Diagnostic testing · Routine careBlood Chemistry PanelA group of blood measurements that helps evaluate kidney-related values, liver-related values, glucose, proteins, minerals and metabolic patterns.All species · Diagnostic testing · Routine careElectrolyte TestingTesting of minerals such as sodium, potassium and chloride that help regulate hydration, muscle activity, nerve signaling and heart rhythm.All species · Diagnostic testing · Routine careUrinalysisAn examination of urine concentration, chemistry and microscopic sediment that complements bloodwork and helps investigate urinary and systemic disease.All species · Diagnostic testing · Routine careFecal TestingStool testing that helps detect intestinal parasites, Giardia and other concerns using methods selected for the animal’s history and risk.All species · Diagnostic testing · Routine careHeartworm TestingBlood-based testing used to detect or assess heartworm infection, interpreted according to species, exposure history and preventive use.All species · Diagnostic testing · Routine careMicrofilaria TestingLaboratory evaluation for microscopic immature heartworm stages circulating in the blood, used together with other heartworm information.All species · Diagnostic testing · Routine careFeline Leukemia Virus and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus TestingBlood testing that helps evaluate exposure to two important feline viruses while accounting for age, vaccination history and the limitations of individual results.All species · Diagnostic testing · Routine careBlood Pressure MeasurementNoninvasive assessment of circulation that can help monitor kidney disease, endocrine disease, eye changes and other conditions.All species · Diagnostic testing · Routine careRadiographs (X-rays)Imaging that helps evaluate bones, chest structures, abdominal patterns, heart silhouette and other anatomy when there is a relevant clinical question.All species · Diagnostic testing · Routine careUltrasoundSound-wave imaging used to examine soft tissues, abdominal organs, fluid and other structures that may not be well characterized on radiographs.All species · Diagnostic testing · Routine careComputed TomographyAdvanced cross-sectional imaging that can provide detailed views of complex anatomy when routine radiographs are insufficient.All species · Diagnostic testing · Routine careMagnetic Resonance ImagingAdvanced imaging that uses magnetic fields to evaluate selected neurologic, spinal and soft-tissue concerns.All species · Diagnostic testing · Routine careElectrocardiogramA recording of the heart’s electrical activity used to evaluate heart rhythm, rate and selected conduction problems.All species · Diagnostic testing · Routine careEchocardiographySpecialized ultrasound imaging that evaluates heart structure, chamber size, valve movement, function and blood flow.All species · Diagnostic testing · Routine careCytologyMicroscopic examination of individual cells collected from a lump, skin, ear, fluid or another site.All species · Diagnostic testing · Routine careHistopathology and BiopsyMicroscopic examination of tissue architecture by a pathologist, often providing more information than a sample of isolated cells.All species · Diagnostic testing · Routine careCulture and Sensitivity TestingLaboratory testing that helps identify certain bacteria and determine which antimicrobial medications may be effective.Dogs · Health conditionsCushing’s Disease: Too Much CortisolAn easy-to-understand dog-owner guide to increased thirst, hunger, panting and coat changes, hormone testing, treatment and safe monitoring.Dogs · Health conditionsAddison’s Disease: Too Little CortisolA plain-language guide to a hormone shortage that can cause recurring stomach upset and weakness, including Addisonian crises and lifelong care.Rabbits · Health conditionsRespiratory Disease in RabbitsSneezing, nasal discharge, noisy breathing or reduced appetite can reflect infection, dental disease, irritants or another serious rabbit health problem.Rabbits · Health conditionsUrinary Sludge and Stones in RabbitsThick urine sediment, bladder stones and urinary pain can cause straining, wet fur, blood-tinged urine or reduced appetite.Rabbits · Health conditionsHead Tilt and Balance Disorders in RabbitsA tilted head, rolling or loss of balance is a neurologic sign—not a diagnosis—and requires prompt assessment.Guinea pigs · Health conditionsDental Disease in Guinea PigsGuinea-pig teeth grow continuously, and dental disease can make chewing painful long before owners see an obvious tooth problem.
Refine your search to narrow the results.
HEALTH LIBRARY
Continue exploring the library
More topics will be added as the library grows.
NATIONWIDE CLINIC FINDER+
Find Veterinary Care Near You
Search by ZIP code or current location and distinguish general practice, urgent care, emergency animal hospitals and veterinary specialty services.
Nationwide · 4 care categories · Species-awareOpen resource →
INTERACTIVE SYMPTOM NAVIGATOR?
Symptom → What Do I Do?
Start with vomiting, diarrhea, not eating, breathing trouble, urinary changes or another symptom. Select the animal and see what to observe, what to avoid and when to seek urgent care.
31 symptoms · 8 species groupsOpen resource →
INTERACTIVE GUIDERx
Preventative Guide
Compare major flea, tick, heartworm, and intestinal-parasite products for dogs and cats by coverage, route, and frequency.
31 products · Dogs + catsOpen resource →
INTERACTIVE PARASITE LIBRARYP
Know the Parasite. Understand the Risk.
Explore fleas, ticks, mites, lice, flies, intestinal worms, heartworms, Giardia, coccidia and other parasites by animal species, appearance, transmission and human-health risk.
15 parasites · 3 categories · 7 animal groupsOpen resource →
SPECIES NUTRITIONN
Nutrition & Feeding Guides
Choose species-specific feeding guidance for dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets, birds, reptiles, domestic equines, livestock and ornamental fish.
Species-specific guides · Search by animalOpen resource →
DOG HEALTHD
Heartworm Disease in Dogs
Understand transmission, signs, prevention, annual antigen and microfilaria testing, missed doses, diagnosis, and treatment.
American Heartworm Society guidanceOpen resource →
CAT HEALTHC
Heartworm Disease in Cats
Learn why indoor cats remain at risk, how feline disease differs, what heartworm-associated respiratory disease (HARD) means, why diagnosis is difficult, and why prevention is essential.
American Heartworm Society guidanceOpen resource →
URGENT CARE!
When It’s an Emergency
Recognize signs that require immediate veterinary care, know what can wait for a same-day call, and respond safely while arranging help.
Dogs + cats · Action-focused guideOpen resource →
MEDICATION SAFETYRx
Medication Safety at Home
Give medicines accurately, recognize controlled-drug labels, prevent accidental exposure, store prescriptions securely, and respond to mistakes.
Dogs + cats · Home safety guideOpen resource →
POISON PREVENTION!
Poisons & Household Hazards
Recognize common toxic foods, plants, medications, chemicals, and outdoor hazards—and know what to do immediately after a possible exposure.
Dogs + cats · Immediate-action guideOpen resource →
PREVENTIVE CAREVx
Interactive Vaccination Guidance Map
Select an animal, vaccine and U.S. state to understand core, risk-based and locality-sensitive guidance plus reaction warning signs.
Dogs, cats, horses + ferrets · U.S. mapOpen resource →
PREVENTIVE CAREVx
Vaccines for Dogs & Cats
Understand core and lifestyle-based vaccines, puppy and kitten schedules, indoor-pet risk, and what to watch for after vaccination.
5 guides · Dogs + catsOpen resource →
RABBIT CARER
Rabbit Wellness & Care
Explore rabbit-specific guidance on preventive care, nutrition, gastrointestinal stasis, dental disease, safe housing, surgery, and emergencies.
7 guides · Companion rabbitsOpen resource →
EARLY DETECTIONDx
Routine Diagnostics
Understand wellness bloodwork, urinalysis, fecal and infectious-disease tests, blood pressure, and the role and limits of proactive radiographs.
Dogs + cats · Detailed testing guideOpen resource →
SMALL MAMMAL MEDICINESM
Small Mammal Wellness
Compare species-specific nutrition, housing, preventive care and emergencies in guinea pigs, ferrets, hedgehogs, hamsters, gerbils and sugar gliders.
6 species groups · Detailed owner guideOpen resource →
AVIAN MEDICINEAv
Companion Bird Wellness
Identify common companion-bird groups and understand species-aware nutrition, housing, behavior, preventive care and emergency signs.
Parrots, finches, canaries, doves + moreOpen resource →
DOMESTIC EQUINEH
Equine Wellness & Diagnostics
Build species-aware plans for horses, donkeys, and mules—including examinations, vaccines, parasite control, dentistry, nutrition, hoof care, testing, and emergencies.
2 guides · Horses, donkeys + mulesOpen resource →
AQUATIC ANIMAL HEALTHAq
Aquatic Animal Wellness
Understand water quality, the nitrogen cycle, filtration, nutrition, quarantine, routine monitoring, veterinary care, and urgent warning signs in ornamental fish.
Aquariums + ponds · Detailed owner guideOpen resource →
REPTILES & AMPHIBIANSRA
Reptile & Amphibian Wellness
Build species-appropriate habitats, understand nutrition and water quality, prevent burns, and recognize urgent warning signs.
2 guides · Reptiles + amphibiansOpen resource →
HONEYBEE MEDICINEB
Honeybee Colony Health
Recognize healthy brood and adults, monitor Varroa mites, identify concerning colony patterns, and know when to seek expert help.
Apiary health · Disease + pestsOpen resource →
FARM & FIBER ANIMALSF
Livestock Wellness
Explore species-aware preventive care, nutrition, parasite monitoring, biosecurity and emergencies in small ruminants, camelids, cattle and swine.
3 guides · Herd healthOpen resource →
HEALTHY AGINGS
Senior Pet Health
Recognize meaningful changes, understand senior screening, support mobility and cognition, and make the home easier to navigate.
Dogs + cats · Proactive aging careOpen resource →
ORAL COMFORTD
Dental Health
Learn why disease hides below the gumline, what dental radiographs reveal, and which home-care habits actually help.
Dogs + cats · Pain preventionOpen resource →
NUTRITIONN
Nutrition & Healthy Weight
Look beyond marketing claims to understand portions, body condition, muscle, treats and home-prepared diet safety.
Dogs + cats · Practical feeding guideOpen resource →
COMFORT & CAREQ
Pain and Quality of Life
Recognize subtle pain, track meaningful daily changes, and build compassionate goals of care with your veterinary team.
2 guides · Dogs + catsOpen resource →
HOW TO USE THIS LIBRARY
Education supports care.
It doesn’t replace it.
Consider the whole pet
Age, lifestyle, geography, medical history, examination findings, and current medications can change what is appropriate.
Call when unsure
If your pet is ill, has missed medication, or you are worried about a symptom, contact your veterinarian rather than relying on general information.
LIBRARY ROADMAP
Coming to the library
01Additional species-specific medical conditions and husbandry guides02Expanded owner resources and preventive-care education03Ongoing veterinary-source audits and practical care-planning tools
NEED PERSONAL GUIDANCE?
Your pet is more than a search result.
Your veterinarian can help turn general information into the right plan for your individual pet.