103 COMMON-CONDITION GUIDES ACROSS SPECIES
Understand a condition.
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Choose an animal group to learn what owners may notice, how veterinarians investigate the problem, what treatment can involve and which warning signs cannot wait.
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Common conditions in dogs
21 plain-language guides currently available.
Cushing’s Disease: Too Much Cortisol
An easy-to-understand dog-owner guide to increased thirst, hunger, panting and coat changes, hormone testing, treatment and safe monitoring.
Understand this condition →DogsAddison’s Disease: Too Little Cortisol
A plain-language guide to a hormone shortage that can cause recurring stomach upset and weakness, including Addisonian crises and lifelong care.
Understand this condition →DogsCanine Infectious Respiratory Disease (Kennel Cough)
Several contagious viruses and bacteria can cause coughing, gagging and nasal discharge in dogs, especially after close contact with other dogs.
Understand this condition →DogsCanine Parvovirus
Parvovirus is a highly contagious, potentially fatal infection that most often causes severe vomiting, diarrhea and dehydration in puppies and incompletely vaccinated dogs.
Understand this condition →DogsGastric Dilatation-Volvulus (Bloat) in Dogs
GDV occurs when the stomach rapidly fills and may twist, cutting off blood flow; it is a true emergency that cannot be treated at home.
Understand this condition →Dogs · CatsAcute Vomiting and Diarrhea in Dogs and Cats
Sudden vomiting or diarrhea can be mild, but toxins, foreign bodies, pancreatitis, infection and systemic disease can look similar at first.
Understand this condition →Dogs · CatsUrinary Tract Infections in Dogs and Cats
A bacterial urinary infection can cause painful, frequent urination, but stones, inflammation and obstruction can cause nearly identical signs.
Understand this condition →Dogs · CatsAnemia in Dogs and Cats
Anemia means there are too few circulating red blood cells; it is a finding with many possible causes, not a diagnosis by itself.
Understand this condition →Dogs · CatsHigh Blood Pressure in Dogs and Cats
Persistent high blood pressure can damage the eyes, kidneys, brain and heart and often occurs alongside another disease.
Understand this condition →Dogs · CatsOsteoarthritis
A chronic joint condition that can affect comfort, movement, activity and quality of life long before an animal obviously cries or stops eating.
Understand this condition →Dogs · CatsAllergic Skin Disease
Itchy, inflamed skin can involve fleas, environmental allergy, food-related reactions, secondary infection or overlapping causes.
Understand this condition →Dogs · CatsOtitis Externa: Outer Ear Inflammation
Inflammation of the outer ear canal may involve allergy, yeast, bacteria, mites, moisture, foreign material or an underlying structural issue.
Understand this condition →Dogs · CatsDiabetes Mellitus
A disorder of blood-sugar regulation that can increase thirst and urination, affect appetite and weight, and require careful veterinary-directed monitoring.
Understand this condition →DogsHypothyroidism in Dogs
Low thyroid hormone function can contribute to weight gain, low energy, skin or coat changes and other signs that overlap with many unrelated conditions.
Understand this condition →Dogs · CatsPancreatitis
Inflammation of the pancreas can cause appetite loss, vomiting, abdominal pain, dehydration or subtle illness, with signs differing between dogs and cats.
Understand this condition →Dogs · CatsSeizure Disorders
Seizures can result from epilepsy, toxins, metabolic problems, brain disease or other causes and require careful veterinary assessment.
Understand this condition →Dogs · CatsChronic Kidney Disease
Gradual loss of kidney function can change thirst, urination, appetite, body weight and blood pressure, particularly in older animals.
Understand this condition →Dogs · CatsHeart Disease
Heart conditions can involve valves, heart muscle, electrical rhythm or fluid-related complications; dog and cat warning signs are not identical.
Understand this condition →DogsCruciate Ligament Disease
Injury or degeneration affecting the cranial cruciate ligament can cause hind-limb pain, instability, limping and secondary arthritis.
Understand this condition →Dogs · CatsDental and Periodontal Disease
Disease affecting the teeth, gums or surrounding bone can cause pain even when an animal continues eating normally.
Understand this condition →Dogs · CatsOverweight and Obesity
Excess body fat can affect joint comfort, mobility, metabolic health and long-term wellness; the right plan depends on the individual animal.
Understand this condition →SPECIES-SPECIFIC HEALTH EDUCATION
Common conditions in cats
22 plain-language guides currently available.
Acute Vomiting and Diarrhea in Dogs and Cats
Sudden vomiting or diarrhea can be mild, but toxins, foreign bodies, pancreatitis, infection and systemic disease can look similar at first.
Understand this condition →Dogs · CatsUrinary Tract Infections in Dogs and Cats
A bacterial urinary infection can cause painful, frequent urination, but stones, inflammation and obstruction can cause nearly identical signs.
Understand this condition →Dogs · CatsAnemia in Dogs and Cats
Anemia means there are too few circulating red blood cells; it is a finding with many possible causes, not a diagnosis by itself.
Understand this condition →Dogs · CatsHigh Blood Pressure in Dogs and Cats
Persistent high blood pressure can damage the eyes, kidneys, brain and heart and often occurs alongside another disease.
Understand this condition →CatsUpper Respiratory Infections in Cats
Contagious respiratory infections commonly cause sneezing, eye discharge and nasal congestion, especially in kittens and multi-cat settings.
Understand this condition →CatsConstipation and Megacolon in Cats
Constipation causes difficult or infrequent stool passage; repeated severe episodes can stretch the colon and lead to megacolon.
Understand this condition →CatsHepatic Lipidosis (Fatty Liver) in Cats
When a cat—especially an overweight cat—stops eating, fat can accumulate in the liver and cause life-threatening liver dysfunction.
Understand this condition →Dogs · CatsOsteoarthritis
A chronic joint condition that can affect comfort, movement, activity and quality of life long before an animal obviously cries or stops eating.
Understand this condition →Dogs · CatsAllergic Skin Disease
Itchy, inflamed skin can involve fleas, environmental allergy, food-related reactions, secondary infection or overlapping causes.
Understand this condition →Dogs · CatsOtitis Externa: Outer Ear Inflammation
Inflammation of the outer ear canal may involve allergy, yeast, bacteria, mites, moisture, foreign material or an underlying structural issue.
Understand this condition →Dogs · CatsDiabetes Mellitus
A disorder of blood-sugar regulation that can increase thirst and urination, affect appetite and weight, and require careful veterinary-directed monitoring.
Understand this condition →Dogs · CatsPancreatitis
Inflammation of the pancreas can cause appetite loss, vomiting, abdominal pain, dehydration or subtle illness, with signs differing between dogs and cats.
Understand this condition →Dogs · CatsSeizure Disorders
Seizures can result from epilepsy, toxins, metabolic problems, brain disease or other causes and require careful veterinary assessment.
Understand this condition →Dogs · CatsChronic Kidney Disease
Gradual loss of kidney function can change thirst, urination, appetite, body weight and blood pressure, particularly in older animals.
Understand this condition →Dogs · CatsHeart Disease
Heart conditions can involve valves, heart muscle, electrical rhythm or fluid-related complications; dog and cat warning signs are not identical.
Understand this condition →CatsHyperthyroidism in Cats
Excess thyroid hormone in cats can cause weight loss, increased appetite, increased thirst, restlessness and secondary heart or blood-pressure concerns.
Understand this condition →CatsFeline Lower Urinary Tract Disease
A group of bladder and urethral problems that can cause straining, frequent urination, blood in urine and, in some cats, a life-threatening blockage.
Understand this condition →CatsFeline Asthma
Inflammatory lower-airway disease can cause coughing, wheezing or dangerous breathing distress in cats.
Understand this condition →CatsFeline Leukemia Virus
Feline leukemia virus can affect immune function and long-term health, with testing, vaccination and household planning tailored to the individual cat.
Understand this condition →CatsFeline Immunodeficiency Virus
A feline viral infection that can affect immune function, with testing and long-term care interpreted according to exposure history and individual health.
Understand this condition →Dogs · CatsDental and Periodontal Disease
Disease affecting the teeth, gums or surrounding bone can cause pain even when an animal continues eating normally.
Understand this condition →Dogs · CatsOverweight and Obesity
Excess body fat can affect joint comfort, mobility, metabolic health and long-term wellness; the right plan depends on the individual animal.
Understand this condition →SPECIES-SPECIFIC HEALTH EDUCATION
Common conditions in rabbits
6 plain-language guides currently available.
Respiratory Disease in Rabbits
Sneezing, nasal discharge, noisy breathing or reduced appetite can reflect infection, dental disease, irritants or another serious rabbit health problem.
Understand this condition →RabbitsUrinary Sludge and Stones in Rabbits
Thick urine sediment, bladder stones and urinary pain can cause straining, wet fur, blood-tinged urine or reduced appetite.
Understand this condition →RabbitsHead Tilt and Balance Disorders in Rabbits
A tilted head, rolling or loss of balance is a neurologic sign—not a diagnosis—and requires prompt assessment.
Understand this condition →RabbitsGastrointestinal Stasis in Rabbits
Reduced movement of food through a rabbit's digestive tract is usually a sign of pain, illness, stress or inappropriate intake and can become critical quickly.
Understand this condition →RabbitsDental Disease in Rabbits
Rabbit teeth grow continuously, and painful crown or root disease may first appear as selective eating, wet chin or smaller droppings.
Understand this condition →RabbitsUterine Disease in Rabbits
Unspayed female rabbits have substantial risk of uterine disease, including cancer, as they age.
Understand this condition →SPECIES-SPECIFIC HEALTH EDUCATION
Common conditions in small mammals
15 plain-language guides currently available.
Dental Disease in Guinea Pigs
Guinea-pig teeth grow continuously, and dental disease can make chewing painful long before owners see an obvious tooth problem.
Understand this condition →Guinea pigsVitamin C Deficiency in Guinea Pigs
Guinea pigs cannot make vitamin C; deficiency can affect joints, gums, healing and overall strength.
Understand this condition →FerretsInsulinoma in Ferrets
Insulinoma can cause dangerously low blood sugar in ferrets, leading to weakness, staring, drooling, pawing at the mouth or seizures.
Understand this condition →FerretsAdrenal Disease in Ferrets
Ferret adrenal disease commonly causes progressive hair loss and hormonal signs rather than the classic signs seen in dogs.
Understand this condition →FerretsGastrointestinal Foreign Bodies in Ferrets
Ferrets commonly chew rubber, foam and other objects that can block the stomach or intestine.
Understand this condition →HamstersWet Tail and Severe Diarrhea in Hamsters
Wet tail is a rapidly progressive diarrheal illness, especially in young hamsters, and requires same-day veterinary care.
Understand this condition →Hamsters · GerbilsOvergrown or Damaged Teeth in Small Rodents
Rodent incisors grow continuously; injury, misalignment or poor wear can make eating painful and lead to dangerous weight loss.
Understand this condition →HedgehogsOral Disease and Tumors in Hedgehogs
Dental disease and oral tumors are important causes of drooling, mouth bleeding, weight loss and difficulty eating in hedgehogs.
Understand this condition →Sugar glidersMetabolic Bone Disease in Sugar Gliders
Calcium and vitamin imbalance can weaken bones and muscles, causing hind-limb weakness, pain or fractures.
Understand this condition →Guinea pigsRespiratory Disease in Guinea Pigs
Respiratory infection can progress rapidly in guinea pigs and may cause subtle appetite or activity changes before obvious breathing trouble.
Understand this condition →Guinea pigsUrinary Stones in Guinea Pigs
Bladder or urethral stones can cause painful urination, blood in urine and sometimes complete blockage.
Understand this condition →FerretsLymphoma in Ferrets
Lymphoma is a cancer of immune-system cells that can affect lymph nodes, organs, the chest or digestive tract.
Understand this condition →FerretsHeart Disease in Ferrets
Ferrets can develop heart-muscle and valve disorders that cause low stamina, weakness, fluid buildup or breathing trouble.
Understand this condition →HedgehogsMites in Hedgehogs
Skin mites commonly cause itching, flaky skin and quill loss but fungal and other skin diseases can look similar.
Understand this condition →Sugar glidersDental Disease and Facial Abscesses in Sugar Gliders
Dental infection can cause mouth pain, facial swelling and reduced eating and may extend into the jaw or surrounding tissue.
Understand this condition →SPECIES-SPECIFIC HEALTH EDUCATION
Common conditions in companion birds
7 plain-language guides currently available.
Respiratory Disease in Companion Birds
Tail bobbing, voice change, nasal discharge or breathing effort can worsen quickly because birds often hide illness.
Understand this condition →Companion birds · PoultryEgg Binding and Reproductive Emergencies in Birds
A female bird can develop egg-related disease even without a male; straining and cage-floor sitting require urgent attention.
Understand this condition →Companion birdsFeather-Destructive Behavior in Birds
Feather chewing or plucking may involve medical disease, pain, environment, nutrition and behavior; it is not simply boredom.
Understand this condition →Companion birdsPsittacosis in Companion Birds
Chlamydia psittaci can cause variable illness in birds and can infect people, making veterinary diagnosis and hygiene important.
Understand this condition →Companion birdsFatty Liver Disease in Companion Birds
Excess fat accumulation in the liver can impair function and clotting and is often linked with obesity, unbalanced diets or metabolic disease.
Understand this condition →Companion birdsHeavy Metal Poisoning in Birds
Lead or zinc exposure from household objects, cages, toys or hardware can cause digestive, neurologic and blood-related illness.
Understand this condition →Companion birdsAspergillosis in Birds
Aspergillus fungi can infect the airways and air sacs, especially when birds are stressed, immunocompromised or exposed to heavy mold contamination.
Understand this condition →SPECIES-SPECIFIC HEALTH EDUCATION
Common conditions in reptiles and amphibians
9 plain-language guides currently available.
Metabolic Bone Disease in Reptiles
Weak bones and muscles often reflect an imbalance among calcium, vitamin D, ultraviolet-B exposure and species-specific nutrition.
Understand this condition →ReptilesRespiratory Disease in Reptiles
Mucus, open-mouth breathing or unusual posture may reflect infection, poor temperature or another respiratory problem.
Understand this condition →ReptilesAbnormal Shedding in Reptiles
Retained shed is usually a sign to investigate humidity, hydration, nutrition, skin disease or other husbandry problems.
Understand this condition →ReptilesStomatitis (“Mouth Rot”) in Reptiles
Redness, plaques or discharge in a reptile's mouth can indicate painful infection and underlying husbandry or systemic disease.
Understand this condition →AmphibiansSkin Disease and Chytridiomycosis in Amphibians
Because amphibians breathe and regulate fluids through delicate skin, discoloration, abnormal shedding or lethargy can signal serious environmental or infectious disease.
Understand this condition →ReptilesShell Disease in Turtles and Tortoises
Pits, soft areas, discoloration or odor can reflect trauma, infection, burns or husbandry-related shell disease.
Understand this condition →ReptilesInternal Parasites in Reptiles
Reptiles may carry parasites without obvious signs, while heavy burdens can contribute to weight loss, diarrhea or poor growth.
Understand this condition →ReptilesEgg Retention and Dystocia in Reptiles
Female reptiles can retain eggs or have difficulty laying even without contact with a male, and delayed treatment can become life-threatening.
Understand this condition →AmphibiansMetabolic Bone Disease in Amphibians
Calcium, vitamin and lighting imbalance can weaken amphibian bones and muscles and interfere with feeding and movement.
Understand this condition →SPECIES-SPECIFIC HEALTH EDUCATION
Common conditions in domestic equines
9 plain-language guides currently available.
Colic in Equines
Colic means abdominal pain, not one disease; some causes are mild while others require immediate surgery.
Understand this condition →Horses · Donkeys · MulesEquine Asthma
Chronic airway inflammation can cause cough, reduced performance and breathing effort, often influenced by dust exposure.
Understand this condition →Horses · Donkeys · MulesPituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID)
PPID is a common endocrine disorder of older equines that may affect coat, muscle, immunity and laminitis risk.
Understand this condition →HorsesEquine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome
Stomach ulcer disease can contribute to poor appetite, behavior change and reduced performance, but these signs are not specific.
Understand this condition →Horses · Donkeys · MulesLaminitis
Laminitis is painful failure of tissues supporting the hoof and is an emergency even when lameness first appears mild.
Understand this condition →Domestic equinesStrangles in Horses
Strangles is a contagious bacterial respiratory disease that commonly causes fever, nasal discharge and swollen lymph nodes.
Understand this condition →Domestic equinesEquine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis (EPM)
EPM is a neurologic disease caused by protozoal infection that can produce uneven weakness, incoordination or muscle loss.
Understand this condition →Domestic equinesChoke (Esophageal Obstruction) in Horses
Equine choke is blockage of the esophagus—not the airway—but saliva and feed can enter the lungs, making it an urgent veterinary problem.
Understand this condition →Domestic equinesDental Disease in Horses
Sharp enamel points, diseased teeth and uneven wear can cause pain, weight loss and poor chewing, especially as horses age.
Understand this condition →SPECIES-SPECIFIC HEALTH EDUCATION
Common conditions in domestic poultry
8 plain-language guides currently available.
Egg Binding and Reproductive Emergencies in Birds
A female bird can develop egg-related disease even without a male; straining and cage-floor sitting require urgent attention.
Understand this condition →PoultryCoccidiosis in Poultry
Coccidia damage the intestine and can cause diarrhea, poor growth, blood in droppings or sudden losses, especially in young birds.
Understand this condition →PoultryRespiratory Disease in Poultry
Coughing, sneezing, facial swelling or open-mouth breathing can involve contagious disease, air quality or multiple infections.
Understand this condition →PoultryBumblefoot in Poultry
Bumblefoot is inflammation or infection of the foot pad, often associated with injury, pressure and environmental conditions.
Understand this condition →PoultryReproductive Disease in Laying Birds
Egg binding, internal laying and reproductive-tract inflammation can cause straining, abdominal enlargement and rapid decline.
Understand this condition →PoultryMites and Lice in Poultry
External parasites can cause irritation, feather damage, reduced production and—when severe—dangerous blood loss.
Understand this condition →PoultryCrop Stasis, Impaction and Sour Crop in Poultry
A crop that stays enlarged can reflect blocked passage, abnormal movement or fermentation and should not be treated by forcing vomiting.
Understand this condition →PoultryMarek's Disease in Chickens
Marek's disease is a contagious viral disease that can cause nerve paralysis, tumors and immune suppression, especially in young chickens.
Understand this condition →SPECIES-SPECIFIC HEALTH EDUCATION
Common conditions in aquatic animals
7 plain-language guides currently available.
Water-Quality–Related Illness in Fish
Ammonia, nitrite, oxygen, temperature and pH problems commonly cause illness that can affect many fish at once.
Understand this condition →Aquatic animalsIch (White Spot Disease) in Fish
Ich is a contagious parasite that may cause white spots, flashing and breathing problems, but not every white mark is ich.
Understand this condition →Aquatic animalsFin Erosion and Fin Rot in Fish
Frayed fins can result from injury, aggression, poor water quality or infection and should not be diagnosed from appearance alone.
Understand this condition →Aquatic animalsBuoyancy Disorders in Fish
Floating, sinking or swimming abnormally is a sign with many possible causes—not automatically a swim-bladder infection.
Understand this condition →Aquatic animalsVelvet Disease in Fish
Velvet is a parasitic skin and gill disease that may look like fine gold or rust-colored dust and can spread rapidly.
Understand this condition →Aquatic animalsDropsy and Body Swelling in Fish
Dropsy describes fluid buildup and raised scales; it is a sign of serious internal dysfunction rather than one specific disease.
Understand this condition →Aquatic animalsColumnaris Disease in Fish
Columnaris is a bacterial disease that can damage skin, mouth and gills and may progress quickly in warm, stressed systems.
Understand this condition →SPECIES-SPECIFIC HEALTH EDUCATION
Common conditions in honeybees
3 plain-language guides currently available.
Varroa Mites in Honeybee Colonies
Varroa destructor weakens colonies directly and spreads viruses; visual inspection alone misses important infestations.
Understand this condition →HoneybeesAmerican Foulbrood
American foulbrood is a serious contagious brood disease that can require regulatory action and must not be managed by guesswork.
Understand this condition →HoneybeesNosema Disease in Honeybees
Nosema affects adult bees and may contribute to poor colony performance, but signs are nonspecific and laboratory confirmation matters.
Understand this condition →SPECIES-SPECIFIC HEALTH EDUCATION
Common conditions in livestock and camelids
11 plain-language guides currently available.
Gastrointestinal Parasites in Grazing Livestock
Internal parasites can cause anemia, diarrhea, poor growth and production loss; resistance makes routine blind deworming unsafe.
Understand this condition →Cattle · Sheep · Goats · CamelidsBloat in Ruminants
A rapidly enlarging left abdomen can mean trapped rumen gas and may become fatal by impairing breathing.
Understand this condition →Cattle · Sheep · Goats · Camelids · PigsMastitis in Dairy and Nursing Animals
Mammary-gland inflammation may alter milk and cause pain, reduced production or severe whole-body illness.
Understand this condition →Cattle · Sheep · Goats · Pigs · CamelidsPneumonia in Livestock and Camelids
Respiratory disease can spread through groups and become severe before obvious coughing appears.
Understand this condition →Sheep · Goats · CamelidsPregnancy Toxemia
Late-pregnancy energy imbalance can cause appetite loss, weakness and neurologic signs, especially with multiple fetuses.
Understand this condition →Cattle · Sheep · GoatsFoot Rot and Infectious Lameness
Sudden lameness and swelling between the claws can reflect infection, but hoof lesions have several different causes.
Understand this condition →Livestock · CamelidsJohne's Disease in Ruminants
Johne's disease is a chronic contagious intestinal infection that causes progressive weight loss and production decline.
Understand this condition →Livestock · CamelidsCoccidiosis in Young Livestock
Coccidia can damage the intestine of young animals, causing poor growth, diarrhea and sometimes severe dehydration or neurologic signs.
Understand this condition →LivestockKetosis in Dairy Cattle
Ketosis occurs when a cow's energy demand exceeds intake around early lactation, leading to excess ketone production and reduced performance.
Understand this condition →LivestockUrinary Calculi in Male Sheep and Goats
Urinary stones can block the narrow urethra of male sheep and goats, causing severe pain and a rapidly life-threatening emergency.
Understand this condition →CamelidsMeningeal Worm in Camelids
Meningeal worm larvae can migrate through the nervous system of llamas and alpacas, causing weakness and incoordination.
Understand this condition →These guides do not diagnose an individual animal.
Several conditions can produce the same symptom. The right diagnosis and treatment depend on examination, testing, medical history, species, husbandry and the veterinary team's professional judgment.
Review emergency warning signs →