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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
lethargy (2) abdominal pain (1) abnormal bleeding or discharge (1) and difficulty eating or chewing (the dog may drop food or chew on one side). In advanced cases (1) and face swelling or nasal discharge can occur if tooth root abscesses form. Dogs with severe oral pain may be lethargic (1) and in severe cases (1) and jaundice (yellowing of gums/eyes) due to liver damage. “Blue eye” (cloudy cornea) can appear during recovery due to immune complexes. Severe infections can cause bleeding (petechiae or bruising) and swelling of the neck/head (1) and lethargy. For example (1) and loss of appetite. Severe cases (often in puppies) present with high fever (1) and may be rapidly fatal due to liver failure or bleeding (1) and pain can occur if follicles become infected (folliculitis). The chin may look dirty or crusty (1) and severe cases can cause hair loss and bleeding in the area (1) but any lump should be checked) (1) Common signs include fever (1) depression (1) diarrhea (1) drool excessively (1) drooling (1) evaluate for angioedema (facial swelling)-related red flags and progression (1) joint swelling (1) kidney inflammation (Lyme nephritis) (1) lameness or swelling in the bone (for bone cancers) (1) lymphomas may cause enlarged lymph nodes (1) Mild cases may show fever (1) or difficulty eating. Any unusual new symptoms in an older dog can be a red flag (1) or paw at their mouth (1) oral cancers might present as foul breath (1) red pustules (1) shifting-leg lameness (1) Signs may vary (1) Signs of cancer vary widely with the type and location. Possible signs include a persistent lump or swelling (not all are malignant (1) Small blackheads on the chin and lips are the most common sign. In some cases (1) sores that don’t heal (1) swelling (1) Symptoms of dental disease include bad breath (halitosis) – often the first noticed sign. Owners may see red or bleeding gums (1) tartar on teeth (1) there may be loose or missing teeth and pain (the dog resists mouth handling). Pus or blood might be seen in the saliva (1) unexplained weight loss or loss of appetite (1) vomiting (1)
Symptom matches are best-effort. If a symptom is severe or sudden, contact a veterinarian promptly.

Dermatology and Allergy

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Image for Angioedema (facial swelling)
Angioedema (facial swelling)
Reviewed
Dog - Can occur across breeds depending on risk factors.
Signs may vary evaluate for angioedema (facial swelling)-related red flags and progression

Angioedema (facial swelling) is included in the VetSCT clinical taxonomy. This page provides owner and veteri…

Infectious and Parasitic

1 items
Image for Lyme Disease (Lyme Borreliosis)
Lyme Disease (Lyme Borreliosis)
Dog - All breeds can be affected if exposed to ticks; highest risk in outdoor dogs in endemic areas
Common signs include fever lethargy shifting-leg lameness joint swelling and in severe cases kidney inflammation (Lyme nephritis)

Lyme disease is a tick-borne illness caused by Borrelia burgdorferi, transmitted by black-legged (deer) ticks…

Legacy / Unmapped

4 items
Image for Cancer
Cancer
Dog - All Breeds (more common in older dogs; certain breeds prone to specific cancers)
Signs of cancer vary widely with the type and location. Possible signs include a persistent lump or swelling (not all are malignant but any lump should be checked) sores that don’t heal abnormal bleeding or discharge lameness or swelling in the bone (for bone cancers) unexplained weight loss or loss of appetite +5 more

Cancer in dogs is a broad group of diseases where cells grow uncontrollably, invade surrounding tissue, and m…

Image for Canine Infectious Hepatitis (Adenovirus)
Canine Infectious Hepatitis (Adenovirus)
Dog - All Breeds (puppies and unvaccinated dogs at highest risk)
Mild cases may show fever lethargy and loss of appetite. Severe cases (often in puppies) present with high fever depression abdominal pain vomiting +3 more

Canine infectious hepatitis is a viral disease caused by canine adenovirus type-1 (CAV-1). It primarily attac…

Image for Dental Disease (Periodontal Disease)
Dental Disease (Periodontal Disease)
Dog - All Breeds (small breeds and brachycephalic breeds have higher risk of severe periodontal disease)
Symptoms of dental disease include bad breath (halitosis) – often the first noticed sign. Owners may see red or bleeding gums tartar on teeth and difficulty eating or chewing (the dog may drop food or chew on one side). In advanced cases there may be loose or missing teeth and pain (the dog resists mouth handling). Pus or blood might be seen in the saliva and face swelling or nasal discharge can occur if tooth root abscesses form. Dogs with severe oral pain may be lethargic drool excessively +1 more

Periodontal disease is a common condition where plaque and tartar buildup on teeth lead to infection and infl…

Image for Feline Acne
Feline Acne
Cat - All breeds
Small blackheads on the chin and lips are the most common sign. In some cases swelling red pustules and pain can occur if follicles become infected (folliculitis). The chin may look dirty or crusty and severe cases can cause hair loss and bleeding in the area

Disorder of follicular keratinization on the chin, leading to comedones (blackheads) and sometimes bacterial …

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.