Anal sac health Dogs
Anal sac problems
Vet-reviewed answers about anal sac impaction, inflammation and abscesses in dogs, covering examinations, treatment and recurring problems.
8 min read
The health desk · Dogs & cats
Vet-reviewed pet health guides
Clear pet-health answers grounded in veterinary science, with a supporting source beside every published answer.
Find a health guide
Search by condition, or browse by pet and topic.
39 guides
Joint health Dogs & cats
Arthritis & mobility
Recognise arthritis in dogs and cats, understand veterinary assessment, and explore practical ways to support comfort and movement.
10 min read
Breathing Dogs
BOAS & flat-faced dogs
Understand BOAS, noisy breathing, heat and sleep problems, veterinary assessment and follow-up in flat-faced dogs.
9 min read
Breathing Cats
Cat asthma and bronchitis
Vet-reviewed answers about feline asthma and chronic bronchitis, covering coughing, breathing signs, investigations, inhalers and ongoing care.
10 min read
Breathing Cats
Cat flu
Vet-reviewed answers about feline upper respiratory disease, commonly called cat flu, including eye and breathing signs, treatment and recovery.
8 min read
Weight & nutrition Cats
Cat weight & body condition
Understand your cat's body condition, veterinary weight-loss plans, feeding routines and monitoring.
5 min read
Kidney health Dogs & cats
Chronic kidney disease
Understand kidney disease in dogs and cats, blood and urine tests, staging, nutrition and quality of life.
10 min read
Digestive health Cats
Constipation & megacolon in cats
Feline constipation and megacolon: litter-tray signs, urgent assessment, tests, diet, veterinary treatment, surgery and monitoring.
7 min read
Joint health Dogs
Cruciate ligament disease
Understand a dog's cruciate ligament injury, knee assessment, non-surgical and surgical options, rehabilitation and follow-up.
9 min read
Hormonal health Dogs
Cushing's syndrome in dogs
Canine Cushing's syndrome (hyperadrenocorticism): signs, hormone tests, treatment options, monitoring and warning signs during treatment.
10 min read
Hormonal health Dogs & cats
Diabetes
Understand diabetes signs, low blood sugar, ketoacidosis, feeding routines and veterinary monitoring in dogs and cats.
10 min read
Heart health Dogs
Dilated cardiomyopathy
Vet-reviewed answers about dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs, including screening, heart rhythm tests, diet questions and treatment.
9 min read
Lumps & swellings Dogs
Dog lumps & lipomas
Find out why a new lump needs assessment, how vets use cell and tissue samples, and how confirmed lipomas may be monitored or treated.
9 min read
Weight & nutrition Dogs
Dog weight & body condition
Learn about body condition scores, weight-related health concerns and practical parts of a veterinary weight plan for your dog.
9 min read
Ear health Dogs & cats
Ear health & otitis
Understand sore, itchy or smelly ears, warning signs, veterinary tests and why ear problems return.
9 min read
Joint health Dogs
Elbow dysplasia in dogs
Learn about front-leg lameness, elbow examinations and imaging, screening results, treatment choices and everyday care for dogs.
9 min read
Eye health Dogs & cats
Eye problems
Understand red, painful or cloudy eyes in dogs and cats, veterinary tests, conjunctivitis, ulcers and dry eye.
10 min read
Skin health Dogs & cats
Fleas & flea allergy
Understand flea allergy, itching, household flea control, product safety and when a dog or cat needs veterinary help.
10 min read
Dental health Dogs & cats
Gum disease & dental care
Understand painful gum disease, dental checks, anaesthesia, professional treatment and daily dental care in dogs and cats.
5 min read
Heart health Cats
Heart muscle disease in cats
Understand feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, possible signs, heart scans, blood-test limitations and individual veterinary care.
2 min read
Joint health Dogs
Hip dysplasia in dogs
Understand canine hip dysplasia, mobility changes, clinical assessment, BVA hip scores and individual treatment and care plans.
12 min read
Hormonal health Cats
Hyperthyroidism in cats
Understand an overactive thyroid in cats, changes in weight and behaviour, veterinary tests, treatment options and follow-up.
9 min read
Hormonal health Dogs
Hypothyroidism in dogs
Canine hypothyroidism: signs, T4 and TSH tests, thyroid hormone treatment, monitoring and outlook.
7 min read
Parasites Dogs & cats
Intestinal worms & parasites
Vet-reviewed answers about intestinal worms, Giardia and coccidia in dogs and cats, including signs, testing, treatment and risk-based prevention.
9 min read
Skin health Dogs & cats
Itchy skin & allergies
Learn about atopic dermatitis in dogs and allergic skin disease in cats, veterinary investigations and ongoing care.
8 min read
Breathing Dogs
Kennel cough
Vet-reviewed answers about canine infectious respiratory disease, often called kennel cough, covering signs, tests, treatment and prevention.
8 min read
Lumps & swellings Dogs & cats
Lymphoma
Lymphoma in dogs and cats: signs, sampling, staging, treatment, quality of life and outlook, with separate sections for each species.
12 min read
Lumps & swellings Dogs
Mast cell tumours in dogs
Canine mast cell tumours: lump checks, diagnosis, grading, staging, surgery and follow-up, with sources and questions for your vet.
9 min read
Heart health Dogs
Mitral valve disease
Vet-reviewed answers about mitral valve disease in dogs, including heart murmurs, disease stages, breathing changes, investigations and ongoing care.
8 min read
Digestive health Dogs & cats
Pancreatitis
Vet-reviewed answers about pancreatitis in dogs and cats, with separate guidance on signs, investigations, feeding, treatment and follow-up.
12 min read
Joint health Dogs & cats
Patellar luxation
Vet-reviewed answers about slipping kneecaps in dogs and cats, including signs, grading, diagnosis, surgery and recovery.
8 min read
Skin health Dogs
Pyoderma & hot spots in dogs
Canine pyoderma and hot spots: warning signs, skin tests, topical treatment, antibiotic decisions, recurrence and prevention.
8 min read
Reproductive health Dogs & cats
Pyometra
Pyometra in dogs and cats: signs after a season, emergency diagnosis and treatment, and prevention through spaying.
9 min read
Skin health Dogs & cats
Ringworm
Ringworm in dogs and cats: signs, testing, treatment, home cleaning and reducing spread to people and pets.
9 min read
Brain & nerves Dogs & cats
Seizures & epilepsy
Learn how seizures can appear in dogs and cats, what to record, how vets investigate them and what ongoing epilepsy care involves.
11 min read
Parasites Dogs & cats
Ticks & tick-borne disease
Ticks on dogs and cats: safe removal, urgent signs, UK tick-borne diseases and prevention.
11 min read
Dental health Cats
Tooth resorption and gingivostomatitis
Vet-reviewed answers about two painful dental conditions in cats, with separate explanations of tooth resorption and chronic gingivostomatitis.
8 min read
Urinary health Dogs & cats
Urinary & bladder problems
Understand urinary signs in cats and dogs, blocked bladders, cystitis, urine tests and everyday care.
11 min read
Digestive health Dogs & cats
Vomiting & diarrhoea
Understand sudden vomiting and diarrhoea in dogs and cats, urgent warning signs, veterinary investigations and antibiotic decisions.
11 min read
Veterinary science. Clearly explained.
Each answer links to supporting research, clinical guidance or a trusted veterinary resource. Dr Madison Blakeman BVetMed MRCVS reviewed the clinical answers and their sources; we incorporate her requested corrections and publish the review date with each guide.
Questions still awaiting clarification are held back. A veterinary review of these guides does not extend to every article in The Paw Post archive.
A better conversation with your vet
Use these guides to understand the terminology, recognise changes and prepare questions for an appointment. They provide general information, not a diagnosis or a prescription for your pet.
If your pet is unwell, in pain or getting worse, contact your veterinary practice. Online reading should not delay care.