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 1–24 of 156 articles found

🐀Rat HealthAug 16, 2026

🩺Chronic & Systemic

Rat Neck Lump: Abscess, Tumor, or Something Else?

A lump under a rat's jaw or on the side of the neck cannot be identified safely by feel alone. Location, growth rate, skin changes, breathing, eating, imaging, and tissue sampling help distinguish an abscess from salivary, mammary, lymph-node, or other disease.

🐀Rat HealthAug 6, 2026

🩺Chronic & Systemic

Pituitary Tumor in Rats: Signs, Causes, and What Treatment Can Do

An older pet rat that suddenly tilts her head, wobbles, or cannot hold food in her front paws often has a pituitary tumor, but an ear infection can look identical and is treatable, so it has to be ruled out first. What treatment can and cannot do, and how to judge quality of life.

🐁Mouse HealthJul 31, 2026

🩺Chronic & Systemic

Mammary Tumors in Pet Mice: Signs, Causes, and Kind Choices

Finding a lump on your pet mouse is scary — and in mice, mammary tumors are usually malignant and can appear almost anywhere under the skin. Here's how to spot one, what your treatment options are, and how to make kind, loving decisions about your mouse's comfort and quality of life.

🐭Degu HealthJul 26, 2026

🩺Chronic & Systemic

Degu Diabetes: Signs, the Right Diet, and Prevention

Degus are one of the most diabetes-prone pets there is - but the disease is largely preventable. Here's why degus are so vulnerable, the sugar-free diet that protects them, and the signs (starting with cloudy eyes) that mean it's time to see a vet.

🦔Hedgehog HealthJul 22, 2026

🩺Chronic & Systemic

Cancer and Tumors in Hedgehogs: What Owners Need to Know

Cancer is one of the most common serious health problems in pet African pygmy hedgehogs, and it becomes much more likely once they pass about three years of age. Most hedgehog tumors turn out to be malignant, so a new lump is never something to "watch and wait" on. This guide explains, honestly and without panic, how common cancer really is, which tumor types owners actually see, what to look for at home, how a vet works a lump up, and what treatment realistically looks like.

🐀Rat HealthJul 17, 2026

🩺Chronic & Systemic

Rat Mammary Tumors: The Lump Many Owners Find, and What to Do About It

The lump many rat owners find is often a mammary tumor: very common, usually a benign fibroadenoma, and found anywhere from chin to tail in both females and males. Here's why benign doesn't mean wait, how surgery and spaying help, and when to see an exotics vet.

🐹Guinea Pig HealthJul 5, 2026

🩺Chronic & Systemic

Guinea Pig Ovarian Cysts: Hair Loss on the Flanks and Other Signs

Symmetrical hair loss on both flanks in a female guinea pig is often ovarian cysts. Learn the signs, the differentials, and when a vet visit is urgent.

🐈Cat HealthJul 2, 2026

🩺Chronic & Systemic

Aortic Thromboembolism in Cats (Saddle Thrombus): Signs and Emergency Care

Aortic thromboembolism is one of the most dramatic and devastating emergencies in feline medicine. A blood clot — called a thrombus — forms inside the hear

🐾Ferret HealthJun 29, 2026

🩺Chronic & Systemic

Ferret Hyperestrogenism: Aplastic Anemia and Estrogen Toxicity Signs

Ferret hyperestrogenism from prolonged heat causes aplastic anemia, pale gums, hair loss, and petechiae in intact jills. Learn the signs, treatment, and wh

🐹Hamster HealthJun 28, 2026

🩺Chronic & Systemic

Hamster Diabetes: Excessive Thirst, Weight Loss & Signs

Dwarf and Chinese hamsters are prone to diabetes, causing extreme thirst, weight loss, and cataracts. Diet change can achieve remission. Learn the signs.

🐈Cat HealthJun 28, 2026

🩺Chronic & Systemic

Cat Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD): Signs and Management

PKD is a hereditary kidney disease common in Persians. Cysts grow silently for years before signs appear. Learn screening, signs, and CKD management.

🐕Dog HealthJun 28, 2026

🩺Chronic & Systemic

Dog Cushing's Disease: Signs, Diagnosis & Treatment

Cushing's disease causes excessive drinking, pot belly, and hair loss in dogs. Learn the signs, how it's diagnosed, and long-term treatment options.

🐈Cat HealthJun 28, 2026

🩺Chronic & Systemic

Cat FIP (Feline Infectious Peritonitis): Signs & Treatment

FIP causes a fluid-filled belly or neurological signs in cats. With new antivirals, cure rates exceed 85%. Learn the signs and what to do.

🐰Rabbit HealthJun 28, 2026

🩺Chronic & Systemic

Rabbit Pyometra: Uterine Infection Signs & Emergency Care

Pyometra in rabbits causes vaginal discharge, abdominal swelling, and rapid collapse. Emergency spay surgery is the only cure. Learn signs and prevention.

🐈Cat HealthJun 26, 2026

🩺Chronic & Systemic

Cat Hyperthyroidism: Weight Loss Signs and Treatment Options

Hyperthyroidism is the top endocrine disease in older cats. Weight loss despite a big appetite is the key sign. See treatment options.

🐕Dog HealthJun 26, 2026

🩺Chronic & Systemic

Dog IMHA: Immune-Mediated Hemolytic Anemia Signs to Know

IMHA is a life-threatening autoimmune anemia in dogs. Pale gums, jaundice, and dark urine are red-flag signs that need ER care immediately.

🐹Guinea Pig HealthJun 26, 2026

🩺Chronic & Systemic

Guinea Pig Pyometra: Uterine Infection Signs and Emergency Care

Pyometra is a life-threatening uterine infection in female guinea pigs. Vaginal discharge and a distended belly mean same-day emergency spay surgery.

🐹Hamster HealthJun 26, 2026

🩺Chronic & Systemic

Hamster Polycystic Kidney Disease: Belly Swelling and Kidney Signs

Polycystic kidney disease is a hereditary condition in hamsters causing a distended belly and kidney failure. Learn signs, management, and prognosis.

🐾Ferret HealthJun 26, 2026

🩺Chronic & Systemic

Ferret Lymphoma: Cancer Signs, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Lymphoma is the most common cancer in ferrets. Weight loss, enlarged lymph nodes, and lethargy are key signs. Chemo can achieve remissions of 1–2 years.

🐈Cat HealthJun 26, 2026

🩺Chronic & Systemic

Cat Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD): IRIS Staging and Signs

CKD affects 1 in 3 cats over 15. Learn how IRIS staging works, what signs to watch for, and how each stage is managed.

🐾Ferret HealthJun 25, 2026

🩺Chronic & Systemic

Ferret Adrenal Disease: Hair Loss and Signs to Watch

Ferret adrenal disease causes tail-base hair loss, itching, swollen vulva, and muscle wasting. Learn the signs and medical vs. surgical treatment options.

🐈Cat HealthJun 25, 2026

🩺Chronic & Systemic

Cat Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Mouth Signs to Watch

Oral SCC is the top feline mouth tumor — aggressive, bone-invading, and often mistaken for dental disease. Learn the early signs that warrant immediate eva

🐕Dog HealthJun 25, 2026

🩺Chronic & Systemic

Dog Anal Gland Cancer (Adenocarcinoma): Signs to Know

Anal sac adenocarcinoma is often found late, spreads to lymph nodes, and can cause life-threatening hypercalcemia. Learn the signs every dog owner should r

🐰Rabbit HealthJun 25, 2026

🩺Chronic & Systemic

Rabbit Thymoma: Bulging Eyes and Breathing Signs

Thymoma is a chest tumor in rabbits that causes bulging eyes from vein compression and labored breathing. Learn the signs, diagnosis, and why early surgery