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Health A-Z

Common Pet Conditions

Start with a symptom, then learn what to monitor and what your vet may check.

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Clear symptoms
Signs may vary (5) weight loss (2) a transient fever and lymph node enlargement may occur but are often missed. Later (1) affected cats develop recurrent infections (eg (1) and anemia (1) and general poor condition develop. Advanced cases can show persistent fever (1) and sometimes signs of anemia or cancer (lymphoma (1) and sometimes ulcerate. Advanced cases may lead to weight loss (1) attached (1) chronic secondary infections (eg (1) diarrhea (1) Early infections may be asymptomatic or cause mild fever and lymph node enlargement. Over time (1) evaluate for dyspnea / respiratory distress-related red flags and progression (1) evaluate for feline heartworm-associated respiratory disease (hard)-related red flags and progression (1) evaluate for feline upper respiratory infection complex-related red flags and progression (1) evaluate for lower respiratory infection (nonspecific)-related red flags and progression (1) evaluate for upper respiratory infection (nonspecific)-related red flags and progression (1) lethargy (1) leukemia) (1) neurologic issues (1) Often no signs early on. Within 1–3 months after infection (1) One or more small lumps in the mammary chain that grow over time (1) or respiratory signs if metastasis occurs (1) oral) (1) poor coat condition (1) recurrent gum infections (1) respiratory (1) respiratory or skin infections) (1) they may be firm (1)
Symptom matches are best-effort. If a symptom is severe or sudden, contact a veterinarian promptly.

Infectious and Parasitic

4 items
Image for Feline heartworm-associated respiratory disease (HARD)
Feline heartworm-associated respiratory disease (HARD)
Reviewed
Cat - Can occur across breeds depending on risk factors.
Signs may vary evaluate for feline heartworm-associated respiratory disease (hard)-related red flags and progression

Feline heartworm-associated respiratory disease (HARD) is included in the VetSCT clinical taxonomy. This page…

Image for Feline upper respiratory infection complex
Feline upper respiratory infection complex
Reviewed
Cat - Can occur across breeds depending on risk factors.
Signs may vary evaluate for feline upper respiratory infection complex-related red flags and progression

Feline upper respiratory infection complex is included in the VetSCT clinical taxonomy. This page provides ow…

Image for Lower respiratory infection (nonspecific)
Lower respiratory infection (nonspecific)
Reviewed
Dog - Can occur across breeds depending on risk factors.
Signs may vary evaluate for lower respiratory infection (nonspecific)-related red flags and progression

Lower respiratory infection (nonspecific) is included in the VetSCT clinical taxonomy. This page provides own…

Image for Upper Respiratory Infection (URI) (Feline “Cold”)
Upper Respiratory Infection (URI) (Feline “Cold”)
Reviewed
Dog - Can occur across breeds depending on risk factors.
Signs may vary evaluate for upper respiratory infection (nonspecific)-related red flags and progression

Upper respiratory infection (nonspecific) is included in the VetSCT clinical taxonomy. This page provides own…

Legacy / Unmapped

3 items
Image for Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)
Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)
Cat - All breeds (outdoor, fighting tomcats at highest risk)
Often no signs early on. Within 1–3 months after infection a transient fever and lymph node enlargement may occur but are often missed. Later chronic secondary infections (eg recurrent gum infections respiratory or skin infections) weight loss +4 more

A retrovirus (lentivirus) that attacks the immune system, analogous to HIV in humans. It is spread primarily …

Image for Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV)
Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV)
Cat - All breeds (kittens and outdoor cats at highest risk)
Early infections may be asymptomatic or cause mild fever and lymph node enlargement. Over time affected cats develop recurrent infections (eg respiratory oral) poor coat condition weight loss +2 more

A contagious retrovirus that suppresses the immune system and can cause anemia and lymphoma. It is spread via…

Image for Mammary Tumors (Feline Mammary Carcinoma)
Mammary Tumors (Feline Mammary Carcinoma)
Cat - Primarily unspayed or late-spayed females (85–90% are malignant); rare in males
One or more small lumps in the mammary chain that grow over time they may be firm attached and sometimes ulcerate. Advanced cases may lead to weight loss lethargy or respiratory signs if metastasis occurs

Cancerous tumors of the mammary glands; the third most common cancer in cats. Most are malignant adenocarcino…

Respiratory

1 items
Image for Dyspnea / respiratory distress
Dyspnea / respiratory distress
Reviewed
Dog - Can occur across breeds depending on risk factors.
Signs may vary evaluate for dyspnea / respiratory distress-related red flags and progression

Dyspnea / respiratory distress is included in the VetSCT clinical taxonomy. This page provides owner and vete…

For pet owners
Use this page to learn what a symptom can mean, what to track at home, and when to get help. Bring notes to your appointment (timeline, appetite, water intake, urination, stool, vomiting episodes, medications and supplements).
For veterinary perspective
Each condition page summarizes common presentations, typical evaluation steps, and treatment approaches. It is not a substitute for diagnosis. Your veterinarian will consider breed, age, exam findings, and tests.