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 →PROCEDURES & THERAPIESPrepare for treatment
Understand procedures, therapy options, species differences and recovery at home.
Explore procedures & therapies →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.
359 guides
All species · Procedures & therapiesProcedures & Therapies LibraryPreparation, professional care, treatment, recovery and species differencesDogs + Cats + Rabbits · Procedures & therapies · Surgery & AnesthesiaAnesthesia and sedationHow a tailored anesthesia plan supports comfortable procedures, and what owners can do before admission and during recovery.Dogs + Cats + Rabbits + Ferrets · Procedures & therapies · Surgery & AnesthesiaSpay and neuterPlanning reproductive surgery, choosing timing, and recognizing when recovery needs veterinary attention.Dogs + Cats + Rabbits + Domestic equines · Procedures & therapies · Hospital & Diagnostic ProceduresDental cleaning and extractionsWhy complete dental assessment includes more than visible tartar, and how cleaning, imaging, and extractions fit together.Dogs + Cats + Ferrets · Procedures & therapies · Hospital & Diagnostic ProceduresBiopsy and histopathologyWhat a tissue sample can reveal, why results take time, and how to plan the next decision after a pathology report.Dogs + Cats · Procedures & therapies · Hospital & Diagnostic ProceduresEndoscopyHow a camera examination and carefully selected samples can investigate digestive or other internal problems.Dogs + Cats · Procedures & therapies · Hospital & Diagnostic ProceduresBlood transfusionsWhy blood products may be needed, how compatibility is checked, and what a transfusion can and cannot accomplish.Dogs + Cats · Procedures & therapies · Hospital & Diagnostic ProceduresFluid therapyWhy veterinary fluids need an individual prescription, ongoing reassessment, and careful monitoring for too much as well as too little.Dogs + Cats · Procedures & therapies · Hospital & Diagnostic ProceduresOxygen therapyHow supplemental oxygen supports a struggling patient while the veterinary team treats the cause of the breathing problem.Dogs + Cats · Procedures & therapies · Nutrition & ComfortFeeding tubes and assisted nutritionWhy nutritional support may be recommended before appetite returns, and how families can prepare for safe home care.Dogs + Cats · Procedures & therapies · Hospital & Diagnostic ProceduresWound care and bandagesWhy wound treatment may change over time, how bandages protect healing tissue, and which changes need prompt reassessment.Dogs + Cats · Procedures & therapies · Pain & RehabilitationPain managementA practical guide to recognizing pain, choosing veterinary treatment, and measuring whether your dog or cat feels and functions better.Dogs + Cats · Procedures & therapies · Pain & RehabilitationRehabilitation and physical therapyUnderstand how veterinary rehabilitation supports movement and recovery, and how a tailored home plan differs from simply doing more exercise.Dogs + Cats · Procedures & therapies · Medical TherapiesCancer chemotherapyAn owner guide to chemotherapy goals, appointment planning, side effects, and safe care at home for dogs and cats.Dogs + Cats · Procedures & therapies · Medical TherapiesRadiation therapyLearn why radiation may be offered for a pet’s tumor, how treatment is planned, and what care is needed during and after a course.Dogs + Cats · Procedures & therapies · Medical TherapiesImmunosuppressive therapy for immune-mediated hemolytic anemiaUnderstand why treatment suppresses the immune system, why monitoring and gradual changes matter, and when a dog or cat with IMHA needs urgent care.Dogs + Cats · Procedures & therapies · Medical TherapiesAntibiotics and culture-guided treatmentHow veterinarians decide whether antibiotics are needed, use laboratory results, and make a treatment plan that owners can follow safely.Dogs + Cats · Procedures & therapies · Medical TherapiesInsulin and diabetes treatmentA guide to starting and monitoring diabetes treatment, maintaining a dependable routine, and preparing for low blood sugar or other complications.Dogs + Cats · Procedures & therapies · Hospital & Diagnostic ProceduresUrinary catheterizationWhat a urinary catheter does, why hospitalization may be needed, and how to monitor urination after a dog or cat returns home.Dogs + Cats · Procedures & therapies · Surgery & AnesthesiaFracture repairHow broken bones are stabilized, what influences healing, and why activity restriction and follow-up imaging matter after treatment.Dogs + Cats · Procedures & therapies · Surgery & AnesthesiaGastrointestinal foreign body surgeryWhat happens when a swallowed object requires surgery, why bowel damage changes the plan, and which recovery signs deserve immediate attention.Rabbits + Guinea pigs + Chinchillas + Rats + Mice + Hamsters + Gerbils + Degus · Procedures & therapies · Species-Specific CareDental procedures for rabbits and rodentsWhat a dental examination, tooth correction, or extraction involves for small mammals, and why recovery depends on eating comfortably again.Domestic equines + Horses + Donkeys + Mules · Procedures & therapies · Species-Specific CareEquine dental examination and floatingA practical guide to oral examinations, floating, and recovery for horses, donkeys, and mules.Domestic equines + Horses + Donkeys + Mules · Procedures & therapies · Species-Specific CareEquine joint injections and regenerative therapiesUnderstanding treatment goals, evidence limits, procedure risks, and rehabilitation before choosing an equine joint therapy.
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.