Dog and cat health conditions: signs, treatment and cost
Plain-English guides to 83 common conditions in dogs and cats: what each one is, signs to watch for, how vets diagnose and treat it, and what it typically costs. Every page lists its sources.
Last updated: October 2026
Arthritis in dogs
Arthritis (osteoarthritis) is the slow wearing-down of cartilage in a joint.
Dogs · diagnosis $200–$400Read the guideBones & jointsHip dysplasia in dogs
Hip dysplasia means the ball and socket of the hip don't fit together snugly while a puppy grows.
Dogs · diagnosis $200–$600Read the guideBones & jointsElbow dysplasia in dogs
Elbow dysplasia is a group of growth problems in the elbow joint, such as a fragmented coronoid process or ununited anconeal process.
Dogs · diagnosis $300–$800Read the guideBones & jointsCruciate ligament (ACL) disease in dogs
The cranial cruciate ligament is the dog version of the human ACL.
Dogs · diagnosis $200–$500Read the guideBones & jointsLuxating patella in dogs
A luxating patella is a kneecap that slips out of its groove.
Dogs · diagnosis $150–$400Read the guideSpine & nervesIVDD (intervertebral disc disease) in dogs
IVDD happens when a disc between the bones of the spine bulges or bursts and presses on the spinal cord.
Dogs · diagnosis $1,500–$3,000Read the guideBones & jointsLegg-Calvé-Perthes disease in dogs
In Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease, the blood supply to the ball of the hip is disrupted and the bone breaks down.
Dogs · diagnosis $200–$400Read the guideSpine & nervesWobbler syndrome in dogs
Wobbler syndrome (cervical spondylomyelopathy) is compression of the spinal cord in the neck.
Dogs · diagnosis $1,000–$3,000Read the guideSpine & nervesDegenerative myelopathy in dogs
Degenerative myelopathy is a slow, painless disease of the spinal cord in older dogs, similar in some ways to ALS in people.
Dogs · diagnosis $1,500–$3,000Read the guideHormonesCushing's disease in dogs
Cushing's disease (hyperadrenocorticism) means the body makes too much cortisol.
Dogs · diagnosis $500–$1,500Read the guideHormonesAddison's disease in dogs
Addison's disease (hypoadrenocorticism) is the opposite of Cushing's: the adrenal glands don't make enough cortisol and often aldosterone.
Dogs · diagnosis $300–$600Read the guideHormonesHypothyroidism in dogs
Hypothyroidism means the thyroid gland makes too little hormone, which slows the body's metabolism.
Dogs · diagnosis $100–$300Read the guideHormonesDiabetes in dogs
Diabetes mellitus in dogs happens when the body can't make enough insulin, so sugar builds up in the blood.
Dogs · diagnosis $200–$500Read the guideStomach & organsPancreatitis in dogs
Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas.
Dogs · diagnosis $300–$800Read the guideHormonesExocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) in dogs
EPI means the pancreas doesn't make enough digestive enzymes, so food passes through undigested.
Dogs · diagnosis $200–$500Read the guideStomach & organsKidney disease in dogs
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a slow loss of kidney function, usually in older dogs.
Dogs · diagnosis $200–$500Read the guideStomach & organsLiver disease in dogs
Liver disease covers many problems, from inflammation (hepatitis) and copper storage disease to shunts and tumors.
Dogs · diagnosis $300–$800Read the guideUrinaryBladder stones in dogs
Bladder stones are mineral clumps that form in the bladder.
Dogs · diagnosis $200–$500Read the guideUrinaryUrinary tract infection (UTI) in dogs
A UTI is a bacterial infection of the bladder.
Dogs · diagnosis $200–$500Read the guideHeart & lungsHeartworm disease in dogs
Heartworm disease is caused by worms spread by mosquitoes that live in the heart and lung arteries.
Dogs · diagnosis $35–$75Read the guideHeart & lungsHeart disease (mitral valve disease) in dogs
The most common heart disease in dogs is degeneration of the mitral valve, which lets blood leak backward.
Dogs · diagnosis $500–$1,200Read the guideHeart & lungsDilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs
In DCM, the heart muscle weakens and the chambers stretch, so the heart pumps poorly.
Dogs · diagnosis $500–$1,200Read the guideHeart & lungsHeart murmurs in dogs
A heart murmur is the sound of turbulent blood flow.
Dogs · diagnosis $500–$2,000Read the guideHeart & lungsSubaortic stenosis in dogs
Subaortic stenosis is a narrowing below the aortic valve that makes the heart work harder.
Dogs · diagnosis $300–$600Read the guideSpine & nervesEpilepsy and seizures in dogs
Epilepsy means repeated seizures.
Dogs · diagnosis $1,500–$3,500Read the guideSpine & nervesVestibular disease in dogs
Vestibular disease affects balance.
Dogs · diagnosis $200–$500Read the guideHeart & lungsCollapsing trachea in dogs
In tracheal collapse, the rings of cartilage that hold the windpipe open weaken and flatten.
Dogs · diagnosis $200–$600Read the guideHeart & lungsLaryngeal paralysis in dogs
Laryngeal paralysis means the voice box doesn't open properly when a dog breathes in.
Dogs · diagnosis $200–$500Read the guideHeart & lungsBrachycephalic airway syndrome (BOAS) in dogs
Brachycephalic airway syndrome is a set of airway problems in flat-faced breeds: narrow nostrils, a long soft palate and extra throat tissue that block airflow.
Dogs · diagnosis $300–$800Read the guideHeart & lungsKennel cough in dogs
Kennel cough (infectious tracheobronchitis) is a contagious airway infection caused by viruses and bacteria such as Bordetella.
Dogs · diagnosis $50–$100Read the guideInfectionsParvovirus (parvo) in dogs
Parvo is a highly contagious virus that attacks the gut and immune system.
Dogs · diagnosis $100–$300Read the guideStomach & organsBloat (GDV) in dogs
Gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV), or bloat, is when the stomach fills with gas and twists.
Dogs · diagnosis $200–$400Read the guideStomach & organsIntestinal blockage (foreign body) in dogs
A foreign body blockage happens when a swallowed object, like a sock, toy or corn cob, gets stuck in the stomach or intestines.
Dogs · diagnosis $300–$800Read the guideCancerLymphoma in dogs
Lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell.
Dogs · diagnosis $500–$1,000Read the guideCancerMast cell tumors in dogs
Mast cell tumors are the most common skin cancer in dogs.
Dogs · diagnosis $500–$1,500Read the guideCancerOsteosarcoma (bone cancer) in dogs
Osteosarcoma is an aggressive bone cancer, most common in the legs of large and giant breeds.
Dogs · diagnosis $500–$1,500Read the guideCancerHemangiosarcoma in dogs
Hemangiosarcoma is a cancer of blood vessel cells, often in the spleen, heart or liver.
Dogs · diagnosis $500–$1,500,Read the guideCancerLipomas (fatty lumps) in dogs
Lipomas are soft, benign lumps of fat under the skin.
Dogs · diagnosis $100–$300Read the guideSkin & earsAllergies and atopic dermatitis in dogs
Allergies are one of the top reasons dogs see the vet.
Dogs · diagnosis $200–$600Read the guideSkin & earsEar infections in dogs
Ear infections (otitis externa) are very common, especially in dogs with floppy ears or allergies.
Dogs · diagnosis $50–$150Read the guideSkin & earsHot spots in dogs
Hot spots (acute moist dermatitis) are red, raw, oozing patches that appear fast when a dog licks or scratches one spot.
Dogs · diagnosis $50–$100Read the guideSkin & earsMange in dogs
Mange is a skin disease caused by mites.
Dogs · diagnosis $50–$150Read the guideSkin & earsYeast skin infection in dogs
Malassezia yeast normally lives on the skin but can overgrow, especially in dogs with allergies or skin folds.
Dogs · diagnosis $50–$150Read the guideSkin & earsSkin infection (pyoderma) in dogs
Pyoderma is a bacterial skin infection, most often caused by Staphylococcus.
Dogs · diagnosis $100–$300Read the guideStomach & organsAnal gland problems in dogs
The anal glands can get impacted, infected or abscessed.
Dogs · diagnosis $50–$100Read the guideMouth & teethDental disease in dogs
Periodontal disease is infection and inflammation of the tissues that hold the teeth in place.
Dogs · diagnosis $200–$400Read the guideEyesCataracts in dogs
A cataract is a cloudiness in the lens of the eye that blocks vision.
Dogs · diagnosis $100–$300Read the guideEyesCherry eye in dogs
Cherry eye is a prolapse of the gland of the third eyelid, which appears as a red bump in the inner corner of the eye.
Dogs · diagnosis $50–$100Read the guideEyesEntropion in dogs
Entropion is an inward rolling of the eyelid.
Dogs · diagnosis $75–$200Read the guideEyesCorneal ulcers in dogs
A corneal ulcer is a wound on the clear surface of the eye.
Dogs · diagnosis $100–$300Read the guideEyesGlaucoma in dogs
Glaucoma is high pressure inside the eye.
Dogs · diagnosis $100–$300Read the guideEyesConjunctivitis (pink eye) in dogs
Conjunctivitis is inflammation of the pink tissue around the eye.
Dogs · diagnosis $75–$200Read the guideEyesDry eye (KCS) in dogs
Dry eye (keratoconjunctivitis sicca) means the eyes don't make enough tears.
DogsRead the guideEyesProgressive retinal atrophy (PRA) in dogs
PRA is an inherited group of diseases where the retina slowly breaks down, leading to blindness.
Dogs · diagnosis $200–$500Read the guideOtherPyometra in dogs
Pyometra is a serious infection of the uterus in unspayed females, usually a few weeks after a heat cycle.
Dogs · diagnosis $300–$600Read the guideOtherObesity in dogs
Obesity is very common in pet dogs and raises the risk of arthritis, diabetes and other problems.
Dogs · diagnosis $50–$100Read the guideInfectionsLyme disease in dogs
Lyme disease is caused by bacteria spread by ticks.
DogsRead the guideStomach & organsChronic kidney disease in cats
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is one of the most common illnesses in older cats.
Cats · diagnosis $200–$500Read the guideHormonesHyperthyroidism in cats
Hyperthyroidism is an overactive thyroid gland, usually from a benign growth.
Cats · diagnosis $100–$300Read the guideHormonesDiabetes in cats
Diabetes in cats is often linked to obesity.
Cats · diagnosis $200–$500Read the guideHeart & lungsHypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) in cats
HCM is a thickening of the heart muscle.
Cats · diagnosis $400–$1,000Read the guideUrinaryFLUTD and feline cystitis in cats
FLUTD (feline lower urinary tract disease) covers bladder problems in cats, including idiopathic cystitis, stones and blockages.
Cats · diagnosis $200–$600Read the guideUrinaryBladder stones in cats
Cats form struvite and calcium oxalate stones.
Cats · diagnosis $200–$500Read the guideUrinaryUrinary tract infection (UTI) in cats
Bacterial UTIs are less common in young cats but more common in older cats, especially those with kidney disease or diabetes.
Cats · diagnosis $150–$400Read the guideStomach & organsInflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in cats
IBD is long-term inflammation of the gut lining.
Cats · diagnosis $500–$1,500Read the guideStomach & organsPancreatitis in cats
Pancreatitis in cats is often mild and long-term, and can occur with IBD and liver disease.
Cats · diagnosis $300–$800Read the guideMouth & teethStomatitis in cats
Feline stomatitis is severe inflammation of the mouth, thought to be an extreme immune reaction to plaque.
Cats · diagnosis $200–$500Read the guideMouth & teethDental disease in cats
Periodontal disease and tooth resorption are very common in cats.
Cats · diagnosis $200–$400Read the guideHeart & lungsUpper respiratory infection in cats
Cat colds are usually caused by feline herpesvirus or calicivirus, sometimes with bacteria.
Cats · diagnosis $50–$200Read the guideHeart & lungsAsthma in cats
Feline asthma is inflammation and narrowing of the small airways, often triggered by allergens.
Cats · diagnosis $200–$500Read the guideInfectionsFeline infectious peritonitis (FIP) in cats
FIP is caused by a mutated form of feline coronavirus.
Cats · diagnosis $400–$1,000Read the guideInfectionsFeline leukemia virus (FeLV) in cats
FeLV is a virus spread through close contact.
Cats · diagnosis $50–$100Read the guideInfectionsFeline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) in cats
FIV is a slow virus spread mainly through deep bite wounds.
Cats · diagnosis $50–$100Read the guideCancerLymphoma in cats
Lymphoma is the most common cancer in cats, and it often affects the intestines.
Cats · diagnosis $500–$1,500Read the guideBones & jointsArthritis in cats
Arthritis is very common in older cats but often missed, because cats hide pain well.
Cats · diagnosis $200–$400Read the guideOtherObesity in cats
Obesity is common in indoor cats and raises the risk of diabetes, arthritis and liver problems.
Cats · diagnosis $50–$100Read the guideSkin & earsRingworm in cats
Ringworm is a fungal skin infection, not a worm.
Cats · diagnosis $100–$300Read the guideSkin & earsEar infections and ear mites in cats
Ear infections are less common in cats than dogs.
Cats · diagnosis $50–$150Read the guideEyesConjunctivitis in cats
Conjunctivitis in cats is commonly caused by feline herpesvirus or chlamydia.
Cats · diagnosis $75–$200Read the guideEyesGlaucoma in cats
Glaucoma in cats usually follows other eye disease, such as uveitis or tumors.
Cats · diagnosis $200–$500Read the guideStomach & organsLiver disease (including hepatic lipidosis) in cats
Cats can develop fatty liver (hepatic lipidosis) after not eating for a few days, especially if overweight.
Cats · diagnosis $300–$800Read the guideOtherPyometra in cats
Pyometra is a uterine infection in unspayed female cats.
Cats · diagnosis $200–$500Read the guideStomach & organsPolycystic kidney disease (PKD) in cats
PKD is an inherited disease where fluid-filled cysts grow in the kidneys.
Cats · diagnosis $200–$500Read the guideNeed the cost of a specific surgery or procedure? See treatments and surgery costs. Wondering what a medicine is for? See pet medications.
Common questions
Is this a substitute for seeing a vet?
No. These guides explain common conditions in plain English so you know what to ask. Only your vet can examine your pet and recommend treatment.
Where do the costs come from?
Cost ranges come from published sources we link on every page, mainly RealVetCost's condition cost summaries, CareCredit's national cost research and VetReceipt owner-bill data. If no reliable price exists, we say so rather than guess.
Where does the medical information come from?
From veterinary references such as the Merck Veterinary Manual (pet owner version), the American College of Veterinary Surgeons and the Cornell Feline Health Center.