Pet Health Library

Guides to pet symptoms and conditions, cited to the veterinary literature — what's normal, what's not, and when to see a vet.

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Showing 25–48 of 130 articles found

🐭Gerbil HealthAug 8, 2026

🌿Skin & Coat

Gerbil Mites: Why Itchy, Scabby Skin Usually Isn't Mites

Scratching, scabs and thinning fur in a gerbil are far more often nasal dermatitis, barbering or a fight wound than mites — and mites can only be confirmed with a microscope. Here is how the diagnosis is actually made and what to fix at home while you wait.

🐸Amphibian HealthAug 7, 2026

🌿Skin & Coat

Frog Fungus: White Fuzz, Chytrid, and What They Mean

White fuzz on a frog may be a water mould, while chytrid — the serious one — often shows no fuzz at all, just changed shedding, dull skin and a frog that stops eating. Here is how the look-alikes differ, and why only a swab or a sample can tell them apart.

🦔Hedgehog HealthAug 6, 2026

🌿Skin & Coat

Why Is My Hedgehog Losing Quills? Normal Quilling vs. a Skin Problem

A hedgehog dropping quills can be normal developmental quilling or the first sign of mites, ringworm or illness. The difference is in the skin underneath — here is how to tell, what a vet tests for, and why guessing at treatment backfires.

🐁Mouse HealthAug 4, 2026

🌿Skin & Coat

Mouse Fighting and Bite Wounds: Why It Happens and What to Do

Male pet mice fight over territory and hierarchy, and the bites land on the rump, lower back and tail. How to tell a fresh bite from a forming abscess, separate fighters safely, and stop it happening again.

🦔Hedgehog HealthJul 21, 2026

🌿Skin & Coat

Hedgehog Dry, Flaky Skin: Dandruff, Mites, or Normal Quilling?

Dry, flaky skin on an African pygmy hedgehog is easy to miss under the quills and easy to misread. If the flaking comes with quill loss, it is mites until a veterinarian's skin scrape says otherwise — not something an oatmeal bath will fix.

🐭Gerbil HealthJul 16, 2026

🌿Skin & Coat

Gerbil Scent Gland Tumor: Spotting a Belly-Gland Lump and What to Do

Gerbils have a normal oval scent gland on the belly, but it's also their most common tumor site, especially in older males. Here's how to tell a tumor from a healthy gland or infection, and why an early vet visit and surgery give the best outcome.

🐭Chinchilla HealthJul 15, 2026

🌿Skin & Coat

Chinchilla Fur Slip: Why Your Chinchilla Loses a Patch of Fur (and How to Prevent It)

Fur slip is a chinchilla's reflex to release a clean patch of fur when grabbed or stressed. Learn why it happens, how to tell it from barbering and ringworm, and how to prevent it.

🐟Fish HealthJul 15, 2026

🌿Skin & Coat

Betta Fin Rot: Why It Happens and How to Heal Your Betta's Fins

Fin rot in bettas is almost always a sign of poor water quality, not bad luck. Here's how to spot it early, fix the tank first, and know when medication or an aquatic vet is needed.

🐕Dog HealthJul 7, 2026

🌿Skin & Coat

Dog Paw Burns From Hot Pavement: Signs, First Aid & Prevention

On a mild 77F day, sunny asphalt can hit 125F — hot enough to burn your dog's paw pads in under a minute. Learn the 7-second test, how to spot a pad burn, what to do right away, and how to keep every walk safe.

🐕Dog HealthJul 3, 2026

🌿Skin & Coat

Dog Hot Spots: Signs, Causes, and When to See a Vet

Dog hot spots (acute moist dermatitis) appear suddenly as red, wet, oozing skin patches that worsen within hours. Learn the signs, triggers, treatment, and when your dog needs a vet.

🐹Hamster HealthJul 2, 2026

🌿Skin & Coat

Hamster Hair Loss: Causes, Signs, and When to See a Vet

Hair loss in hamsters has multiple causes ranging from normal seasonal thinning to mange mites, ringworm, hormonal disease (adrenal tumors, Cushing's), or

🐹Guinea Pig HealthJun 28, 2026

🌿Skin & Coat

Guinea Pig Ringworm: Fungal Skin Infection Signs

Guinea pig ringworm causes circular hair loss and scaly skin, usually starting at the face. It spreads to humans and other pets. Learn signs and treatment.

🐈Cat HealthJun 28, 2026

🌿Skin & Coat

Cat Ringworm (Dermatophytosis): Signs and Treatment

Ringworm in cats causes circular hair-loss patches and spreads to people. Learn the signs, treatment, and how to decontaminate your home.

🦜Bird HealthJun 28, 2026

🌿Skin & Coat

Budgie PBFD: Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease Signs

PBFD is a fatal viral disease in budgies causing progressive feather loss and beak deformity. There is no cure. Learn signs, diagnosis, and how to prevent

🦎Reptile HealthJun 26, 2026

🌿Skin & Coat

Crested Gecko Stuck Shed: Retained Skin Signs and Home Treatment

Stuck shed in crested geckos most often affects toes and eyes, causing constriction and possible tissue death. Low humidity is the main cause — easy to fix

🐰Rabbit HealthJun 25, 2026

🌿Skin & Coat

Rabbit Myxomatosis: Signs, Spread, and Prevention

Myxomatosis kills nearly all unvaccinated domestic rabbits via insect bites. Learn the facial swelling signs, how it spreads, and why mosquito control is t

🐰Rabbit HealthJun 24, 2026

🌿Skin & Coat

Rabbit Syphilis (Treponema): Scabs and Signs to Recognize

Rabbit syphilis (Treponema paraluiscuniculi) causes crusty scabs on the nose, lips, eyelids, and genitals. Learn the signs and how it's treated.

🐕Dog HealthJun 24, 2026

🌿Skin & Coat

Dog Sebaceous Adenitis: Coat and Skin Signs to Watch

Sebaceous adenitis destroys oil glands in dogs, causing scaling, hair loss, and coat changes. Learn the signs, diagnosis, and how to manage this skin disea

🐹Guinea Pig HealthJun 24, 2026

🌿Skin & Coat

Guinea Pig Mastitis: Signs of Mammary Infection to Watch

Guinea pig mastitis causes hot, swollen mammary glands and can rapidly become life-threatening. Recognize the signs early and know when to act.

🐕Dog HealthJun 23, 2026

🌿Skin & Coat

Dog SLO: Symmetrical Lupoid Onychodystrophy Signs Guide

SLO is an immune-mediated nail disease causing progressive nail loss and pain across all four paws. Learn the signs, predisposed breeds, and long-term trea

🐕Dog HealthJun 23, 2026

🌿Skin & Coat

Dog Acral Lick Granuloma: Signs and Treatment Guide

A dog acral lick granuloma is a thickened skin plaque on the lower leg from repetitive licking. Learn the signs, underlying triggers, and what treatment in

🐹Guinea Pig HealthJun 23, 2026

🌿Skin & Coat

Guinea Pig Cheilitis: Lip Scabs and Mouth Sores Explained

Guinea pig cheilitis causes crusty scabs at the lip corners and mouth sores. Learn the signs, causes, and when your guinea pig needs a vet.

🐈Cat HealthJun 23, 2026

🌿Skin & Coat

Feline Leprosy: Mycobacterial Skin Signs and Treatment

Feline leprosy causes painless skin nodules and draining wounds in outdoor cats. Learn the signs, how it is diagnosed, and what treatment involves.

🐕Dog HealthJun 22, 2026

🌿Skin & Coat

Sterile Nodular Panniculitis in Dogs: Signs and Treatment

Sterile nodular panniculitis causes painful, draining lumps in dogs — immune-mediated, not infectious. Learn the signs and treatment.