Dog diseases
General conditions
Infections, parasites, poisoning and conditions that affect the whole body. This guide has 65 articles.
- Addison's disease in dogs: symptoms, crisis and treatmentAddison's disease can cause recurring digestive signs or a sudden crisis. Learn about hormone deficiency,…
- UrgentHypothermia in dogs: signs, first aid and treatmentHypothermia can develop after cold exposure, getting wet or illness. Learn the warning signs, safe first aid…
- UrgentAlcohol poisoning in dogs: symptoms and first aidDogs can develop alcohol poisoning from drinks, hand sanitiser or raw yeast dough. Learn the dangerous signs…
- Wasp stings in dogs: symptoms, first aid and treatmentA wasp sting causes pain and swelling in dogs. Learn about safe first aid, stings in the mouth and signs of a…
- Anaplasmosis in dogs: symptoms, tests and treatmentAnaplasmosis is a tick-borne bacterial disease. Learn about fever, lameness, platelet changes, antibody test…
- Anaemia in dogs: symptoms, causes and treatmentAnaemia can cause pale gums, tiredness and faster breathing in dogs. Learn about causes, blood tests,…
- UrgentBabesia in dogs – babesiosis symptoms and treatmentBabesia infection can cause fever, anaemia and dark urine in dogs. Learn about babesiosis testing, treatment…
- Lyme disease in dogs: symptoms, antibodies and treatmentLyme disease can cause fever and lameness, but most exposed dogs stay well. Learn about test results, kidney…
- Brucella canis in dogs – canine brucellosis symptomsBrucella canis can cause reproductive problems, back pain or symptom-free infection in dogs. Learn about…
- Cushing's disease in dogs: symptoms, tests and treatmentCushing's disease can increase a dog's thirst, appetite and panting. Learn about its causes, hormone tests,…
- UrgentDiabetic ketoacidosis in dogs: symptoms and treatmentDiabetic ketoacidosis is a life-threatening complication of diabetes in dogs. Learn about warning signs,…
- Diabetes in dogs: symptoms, treatment and home monitoringDiabetes can cause increased thirst, urination and weight loss in dogs. Learn about investigations, insulin…
- Ehrlichiosis in dogs: symptoms, tests and treatmentEhrlichiosis is a tick-borne bacterial disease that can cause fever and bleeding in dogs. Learn about…
- UrgentAntifreeze poisoning in dogs: ethylene glycol toxicityEthylene glycol in antifreeze can rapidly damage a dog's kidneys. Learn about poisoning signs, tests and why…
- Furunculosis in dogs – painful skin lumps and treatmentFurunculosis can cause painful, discharging skin lumps on a dog's paws or elsewhere. Learn about its…
- Tapeworms in dogsTapeworm segments can look like rice grains in a dog's faeces. Learn how infection spreads, how vets diagnose…
- Haemangiosarcoma in dogs: blood-vessel cancerHaemangiosarcoma can develop in the spleen, heart or skin. Learn about bleeding, fluid around the heart,…
- UrgentCanine herpesvirus – symptoms and protecting puppiesCanine herpesvirus often causes no symptoms in adults but can be fatal to newborn puppies. Learn about…
- Histiocytic sarcoma in dogs – symptoms and treatmentHistiocytic sarcoma is an aggressive canine cancer. Learn about localised and disseminated disease, tissue…
- UrgentIbuprofen poisoning in dogsCould your dog have swallowed ibuprofen? Contact a vet immediately. Learn about poisoning symptoms, emergency…
- UrgentImmune-mediated haemolytic anaemia (IMHA) in dogsIMHA can cause sudden weakness, pale gums and jaundice in dogs. Learn about diagnostic tests, transfusions,…
- UrgentImmune thrombocytopenia in dogs: low platelets and bleedingImmune thrombocytopenia can cause serious bleeding in dogs. Learn about symptoms, interpreting platelet…
- Swollen lymph nodes in dogs: lymphadenitis and other causesSwollen lymph nodes in dogs can indicate inflammation or a tumour. Learn about lymphadenitis signs, sampling,…
- Insulinoma in dogs – symptoms, tests and treatmentInsulinoma lowers a dog's blood sugar and can cause weakness or seizures. Learn about tumour testing,…
- Thyroid tumours in dogs: symptoms and treatmentA thyroid tumour can cause a neck lump in a dog without hormone-related signs. Learn about investigations,…
- Hypothyroidism in dogs: symptoms and treatmentAn underactive thyroid can cause tiredness, weight gain and coat changes. Learn about T4 and TSH results,…
- UrgentXylitol poisoning in dogs: symptoms and prompt treatmentXylitol can cause dangerously low blood sugar and liver damage in dogs. Learn about symptoms, urgent…
- UrgentAdder bites in dogs: symptoms, first aid and treatmentAn adder bite can cause painful swelling and serious organ damage in dogs. Learn about first aid, veterinary…
- UrgentHeatstroke in dogs: symptoms, first aid and preventionHeatstroke is a life-threatening emergency in dogs. Recognise the signs, start effective cooling and learn…
- Leishmaniasis in dogs – symptoms, tests and treatmentLeishmaniasis may cause symptoms years after a dog becomes infected. Learn about skin and kidney signs,…
- Leptospirosis in dogs: symptoms, infection and preventionLeptospirosis can damage a dog's kidneys, liver and lungs and infect people. Learn about signs, tests,…
- Overweight and obesity in dogsExcess weight can hide a dog's waist and make ribs harder to feel. Learn about body condition, safe weight…
- Hyperparathyroidism in dogs – symptoms and treatmentHyperparathyroidism raises blood calcium in dogs. Learn about symptoms, hormone tests, surgery and the close…
- Lymphoma in dogsLymphoma can cause enlarged lymph nodes in dogs. Learn how vets identify the type and extent of disease, what…
- Macadamia nut poisoning in dogs – symptoms and treatmentMacadamia nuts can cause vomiting, tremors and hind-leg weakness in dogs. Learn how long signs last, when…
- Yeast skin infection in dogsYeast skin infections can cause itching, redness and greasy scaling in dogs. Learn how vets assess…
- MDR1 in dogs: genetic drug sensitivityThe MDR1 gene variant can cause serious reactions to certain medicines. Learn about testing, symptoms,…
- UrgentNeosporosis in dogs – symptoms, tests and treatmentNeosporosis can cause hind-leg weakness and permanent stiffness in puppies. Learn about infection, testing,…
- UrgentNicotine poisoning in dogs: pouches, tobacco and vapesNicotine pouches, cigarette ends and vape liquid can poison dogs quickly. Learn about symptoms, veterinary…
- UrgentOrganophosphate poisoning in dogs: symptoms and treatmentOrganophosphate poisoning can cause drooling, muscle twitching and breathing difficulty in dogs. Learn about…
- UrgentParacetamol poisoning in dogsA paracetamol overdose can damage a dog's red blood cells and liver. Call a vet immediately if your dog may…
- UrgentParvovirus in dogs: symptoms, infection and treatmentParvovirus can cause severe gut disease in dogs. Learn the warning signs, how vets diagnose and treat it, and…
- Distemper in dogs: symptoms, spread and vaccinationDistemper can affect a dog's breathing, digestive tract and nervous system. Learn about transmission,…
- Anal and perianal tumours in dogs – adenoma and cancerA lump near a dog's anus may be a benign adenoma or cancer. Learn about tests, the role of castration,…
- Bite wounds in dogs: first aid, assessment and treatmentA bite wound may look small but extend deep into a dog's tissues. Learn about first aid, signs of infection,…
- Ticks on dogs: removal and monitoring a biteRemove an attached tick from your dog promptly. Learn about safe removal, monitoring the bite, signs of…
- UrgentHeavy metal poisoning in dogs: lead and zincLead and excess zinc can seriously poison dogs. Learn about exposure sources, symptoms, investigations and…
- Vaccine reactions in dogs: symptoms and treatmentA vaccine reaction may cause mild tiredness or an allergy needing urgent care. Learn how long symptoms last,…
- UrgentRat poison in dogsIf your dog may have eaten rat poison or a poisoned rodent, call a vet immediately. The active ingredient…
- Salmonella in dogs: symptoms, transmission and treatmentSalmonella may cause diarrhoea or symptom-free carriage in dogs. Learn about testing, treatment needs and…
- UrgentSepsis in dogs: symptoms and emergency treatmentSepsis is life-threatening in dogs. Learn the warning signs, how vets investigate the infection source and…
- UrgentMushroom poisoning in dogs – symptoms and urgent treatmentMushroom poisoning in dogs may cause signs immediately or days later. Learn about dangerous mushrooms, first…
- UrgentBlue-green algae poisoning in dogs: symptoms and immediate helpBlue-green algae toxins can rapidly damage a dog's liver or nervous system. Learn about exposure, rinsing the…
- UrgentOnion and garlic poisoning in dogsOnion and garlic can damage a dog's red blood cells and cause anaemia. Contact a vet immediately after…
- UrgentChocolate poisoning in dogsChocolate's theobromine and caffeine can poison dogs. Call a vet immediately after chocolate or cocoa…
- Cancer in dogs: symptoms, tests and treatmentCancer in dogs can appear as a growing lump or general illness. Learn how tumours are identified and how…
- UrgentInfectious canine hepatitis – symptoms and treatmentInfectious canine hepatitis can make an unvaccinated dog seriously ill very quickly. Learn about signs,…
- Persistent fever in dogs: fever of unknown originPersistent or recurrent fever in dogs needs systematic investigation. Learn about possible causes, samples…
- Walking dandruff in dogs – symptoms and treatmentWalking dandruff mites can cause scaling and itching in dogs, or no signs at all. Learn about diagnosis,…
- Fleas, ticks and other external parasites in dogsLearn to recognise common external parasites in dogs, remove an attached tick and interrupt flea breeding at…
- UrgentShock in dogs – recognising a life-threatening emergencyShock means tissues receive too little blood and oxygen. Learn the warning signs in dogs, how to transport…
- Diabetes insipidus in dogs: symptoms, tests and treatmentDiabetes insipidus causes severe thirst and large amounts of dilute urine in dogs. Learn about diagnosis,…
- Ascites in dogs: abdominal fluid causes and treatmentAscites means fluid accumulating in a dog's abdomen. Learn about causes, fluid sampling, treatment and…
- UrgentGrape and raisin poisoning in dogs: act immediatelyGrapes and raisins can damage a dog's kidneys. Learn why exposure needs immediate veterinary advice and what…
- Vitamin deficiency in dogs: symptoms, causes and treatmentVitamin deficiency in dogs can result from diet or poor absorption. Learn about B12, vitamin D and other…