CANINE HEALTH LIBRARY
Dogs
Understand canine preventive care, feeding, vaccines, parasites, everyday health changes and signs that need prompt veterinary attention.
Browse 75 species-specific guides ↓
START WITH THE ESSENTIALS
Useful first steps for dogs.
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Dogs health guides
Choose the topic that matches your question, then bring species-specific concerns to a veterinarian familiar with your animal.
Wellness & Prevention
Vaccines for DogsCore, lifestyle & schedulesRead article →Puppy Vaccine TimelineSeries, boosters & missed visitsRead article →Vaccine ReactionsWhat is normal & when to callRead article →Senior Dog HealthHealthy aging, screening & home supportRead article →Quality of LifeGoals of care & caregiver planningRead article →
Nutrition
Symptoms & Diseases
Lyme DiseaseTick exposure, test interpretation, treatment, prevention and U.S. risk mapRead article →Cushing’s DiseaseToo much cortisol: signs, testing and safe monitoringRead article →Addison’s DiseaseHormone shortage, daily care and emergency crisesRead article →OsteoarthritisJoint comfort, movement, pain and home supportRead article →Allergic Skin DiseaseItching, skin inflammation, flea control and testingRead article →External Ear InflammationHead shaking, ear discomfort and underlying causesRead article →Diabetes MellitusThirst, urination, monitoring and veterinary careRead article →Canine HypothyroidismThyroid changes, weight gain and appropriate testingRead article →PancreatitisVomiting, abdominal discomfort and urgent evaluationRead article →Seizure DisordersEpisode monitoring, safety and emergency warningsRead article →Chronic Kidney DiseaseThirst, urine changes, testing and ongoing supportRead article →Heart DiseaseBreathing changes, exercise tolerance and cardiac testingRead article →Cruciate Ligament DiseaseKnee instability, limping and treatment discussionsRead article →Recognizing PainMovement, behavior & comfortRead article →Corneal Ulcers in Dogs and CatsA corneal ulcer is a wound on the normally clear surface at the front of the eye. Even a small wound is painful; deep or infected ulcers can threaten sight or rupture the eye.Read article →Glaucoma in Dogs and CatsGlaucoma is pressure buildup inside the eye that damages the nerve carrying visual information to the brain. Sudden glaucoma is painful and can cause irreversible blindness quickly.Read article →Immune-Mediated Hemolytic Anemia in Dogs and CatsImmune-mediated hemolytic anemia, or IMHA, occurs when the immune system destroys red blood cells. These cells carry oxygen, so rapid destruction can make an animal critically ill.Read article →Immune-Mediated Thrombocytopenia in Dogs and CatsImmune-mediated thrombocytopenia means the immune system destroys platelets, the small blood components that help stop bleeding. A very low platelet count can cause bleeding without an obvious injury.Read article →Leptospirosis in DogsLeptospirosis is a bacterial infection that can damage kidneys and liver and sometimes affect the lungs. Infected urine can also expose people, so it is a household health concern.Read article →Pyometra in Dogs and CatsPyometra is an infected uterus, usually in an unspayed female dog or cat. Pus and toxins can lead to bloodstream infection and shock; it is a surgical emergency, not a routine heat-cycle discharge.Read article →Intervertebral Disc Disease in DogsIntervertebral disc disease happens when cushioning material between spinal bones degenerates and protrudes, pressing on nerves or the spinal cord. Signs range from pain to paralysis.Read article →Laryngeal Paralysis in DogsLaryngeal paralysis prevents the voice-box opening from widening normally during breathing. It can restrict airflow, especially when a dog is hot, excited or exercising.Read article →Anal Sac Disease in Dogs and CatsAnal sac disease affects the small scent sacs beside the anus. Blocked material, inflammation or infection can cause pain; an abscess may rupture through nearby skin.Read article →Patellar Luxation in Dogs and CatsPatellar luxation means the kneecap slips out of the groove where it should move. Repeated slipping can alter walking and contribute to joint pain and arthritis.Read article →Canine 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.Read article →Canine ParvovirusParvovirus is a highly contagious, potentially fatal infection that most often causes severe vomiting, diarrhea and dehydration in puppies and incompletely vaccinated dogs.Read article →Acute Vomiting and Diarrhea in Dogs and CatsSudden vomiting or diarrhea can be mild, but toxins, foreign bodies, pancreatitis, infection and systemic disease can look similar at first.Read article →Urinary Tract Infections in Dogs and CatsA bacterial urinary infection can cause painful, frequent urination, but stones, inflammation and obstruction can cause nearly identical signs.Read article →Anemia in Dogs and CatsAnemia means there are too few circulating red blood cells; it is a finding with many possible causes, not a diagnosis by itself.Read article →High Blood Pressure in Dogs and CatsPersistent high blood pressure can damage the eyes, kidneys, brain and heart and often occurs alongside another disease.Read article →Dental and Periodontal DiseaseDisease affecting the teeth, gums or surrounding bone can cause pain even when an animal continues eating normally.Read article →Overweight and ObesityExcess body fat can affect joint comfort, mobility, metabolic health and long-term wellness; the right plan depends on the individual animal.Read article →
Parasites
Household FleasCat, dog & human fleas, life cycle and controlRead article →Ticks in Dogs & CatsSpecies, removal, disease risk & preventionRead article →Mites in Dogs & CatsSarcoptic mange, Demodex & ear mitesRead article →Intestinal ParasitesWorms, protozoa, testing & preventionRead article →Heartworm Disease in DogsTesting, prevention & missed dosesRead article →
Diagnostics
Procedures & Therapies
Anesthesia and sedationHow a tailored anesthesia plan supports comfortable procedures, and what owners can do before admission and during recovery.Read article →Spay and neuterPlanning reproductive surgery, choosing timing, and recognizing when recovery needs veterinary attention.Read article →Dental cleaning and extractionsWhy complete dental assessment includes more than visible tartar, and how cleaning, imaging, and extractions fit together.Read article →Biopsy and histopathologyWhat a tissue sample can reveal, why results take time, and how to plan the next decision after a pathology report.Read article →EndoscopyHow a camera examination and carefully selected samples can investigate digestive or other internal problems.Read article →Blood transfusionsWhy blood products may be needed, how compatibility is checked, and what a transfusion can and cannot accomplish.Read article →Fluid therapyWhy veterinary fluids need an individual prescription, ongoing reassessment, and careful monitoring for too much as well as too little.Read article →Oxygen therapyHow supplemental oxygen supports a struggling patient while the veterinary team treats the cause of the breathing problem.Read article →Feeding tubes and assisted nutritionWhy nutritional support may be recommended before appetite returns, and how families can prepare for safe home care.Read article →Wound care and bandagesWhy wound treatment may change over time, how bandages protect healing tissue, and which changes need prompt reassessment.Read article →Pain managementA practical guide to recognizing pain, choosing veterinary treatment, and measuring whether your dog or cat feels and functions better.Read article →Rehabilitation and physical therapyUnderstand how veterinary rehabilitation supports movement and recovery, and how a tailored home plan differs from simply doing more exercise.Read article →Cancer chemotherapyAn owner guide to chemotherapy goals, appointment planning, side effects, and safe care at home for dogs and cats.Read article →Radiation 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.Read article →Immunosuppressive 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.Read article →Antibiotics and culture-guided treatmentHow veterinarians decide whether antibiotics are needed, use laboratory results, and make a treatment plan that owners can follow safely.Read article →Insulin and diabetes treatmentA guide to starting and monitoring diabetes treatment, maintaining a dependable routine, and preparing for low blood sugar or other complications.Read article →Urinary catheterizationWhat a urinary catheter does, why hospitalization may be needed, and how to monitor urination after a dog or cat returns home.Read article →Fracture repairHow broken bones are stabilized, what influences healing, and why activity restriction and follow-up imaging matter after treatment.Read article →Gastrointestinal foreign body surgeryWhat happens when a swallowed object requires surgery, why bowel damage changes the plan, and which recovery signs deserve immediate attention.Read article →Humane euthanasia and end-of-life careMaking comfort-focused decisions, preparing for a professional euthanasia appointment, and arranging species-appropriate aftercare.Read article →Therapeutic nutrition across speciesUsing food as part of a medical plan while respecting species, life stage, disease, and the limits of diet labels.Read article →Laser Therapy (Photobiomodulation)Understand therapeutic laser treatment, where it may fit into a pain or rehabilitation plan, what the evidence can and cannot tell us, and how safety and response are monitored.Read article →Radioactive Iodine Therapy (I-131)A detailed guide to radioiodine treatment for feline hyperthyroidism, with a separate explanation of selected canine thyroid tumor care, licensed hospitalization, home precautions and thyroid and kidney follow-up.Read article →
Emergencies
Dog Emergency SignsUrgent signs & what to do nowRead article →Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (Bloat) in DogsGDV occurs when the stomach rapidly fills and may twist, cutting off blood flow; it is a true emergency that cannot be treated at home.Read article →Seizures in Dogs and Cats: Recognizing an EmergencyHow to recognize seizure activity, protect your pet safely, seek timely emergency care and prepare for investigation and ongoing treatment.Read article →Breathing Distress in Dogs and CatsRecognize difficult breathing, reduce stress during transport and understand why stabilization must come before a complete diagnosis.Read article →Bloat and Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus in DogsRecognize suspected stomach dilation or twisting, seek immediate care and understand stabilization, surgery and prevention.Read article →
Care recommendations are never one-species-fits-all.
This library provides educational information—not diagnosis, prescriptions or emergency triage. Husbandry, age, individual health, local conditions and medical history all influence the right plan. Contact a veterinarian familiar with the species whenever an animal seems ill or a question feels urgent.
Review emergency warning signs →