Search this site

Urine spraying is a scent message cats leave, often triggered by stress or changes at home. Learn why cats spray, when to rule out illness, and what can help. Urine Spraying (Marking) Back to Cats What is it? Urine marking is the use of urine to communicate; when the urine is sprayed onto a vertical surface, it is called spraying. Marking leaves pheromones carrying information about the cat. It is most common in unneutered males, but neutered males and spayed females can also spray. Common triggers include seeing outdoor cats through a window, tension between cats in the home, changes such as new people, pets, furniture, or remodeling, frustration, a lack of enrichment, and physical discomfort. What signs should I watch for? A spraying cat backs up to a wall or other upright surface, often quivers the tail, and sprays a small amount of urine with little or no squatting. Some cats instead leave small puddles on horizontal surfaces, such as near doors, on windows, on new items, or on clothes. Any sudden change in litter box habits, or urination outside the box, should be checked by your veterinarian. How is it diagnosed and treated? Your veterinarian will first rule out medical problems such as infection, gastrointestinal disease, or arthritis, often with a urine test. Treatment then aims to reduce the cat's motivation to mark: block views of outdoor cats, ease tension between household cats, provide one clean litter box per cat plus one, clean marked spots with an odor-neutralizing product, and use synthetic feline pheromone products. Placing food bowls, beds, or scratching posts at marked spots can help. Neutering may reduce or stop spraying, and anti-anxiety medication can be a useful addition. A veterinary behaviorist can help with complex cases. Never scold or punish your cat; it increases fear and damages trust. Can it be prevented, and what's the outlook? Spaying or neutering, plenty of enrichment, enough litter boxes, and keeping changes gradual all help prevent marking. Many cats improve once the cause is identified and addressed. Reviewed by the Adler Veterinary Hospital veterinary team, October 2026. Most common in unneutered males; also in multi-cat homes Who's at risk: Backing up to walls with a quivering tail; small urine spots Main signs: Schedule a visit soon Urgency: When to call a vet right away Your adult cat suddenly starts marking or spraying Your cat suddenly stops using the litter box Spraying inside the litter box Urinating or passing stool outside the box again and again Not sure whether it can wait? Call us anyway. Our team can help you decide. Source: VCA Animal Hospitals, Cat Behavior Problems: Marking and Spraying Behavior Back to Cats Related conditions Retained Testicle Dental & Tooth Resorption Urinary Blockage Next steps Watch a related video Watch on YouTube Helpful products See products Schedule an appointment Request appointment

Eyelid growths are common in dogs. Most are benign, but they can rub the eye and some are malignant. Learn the signs and why they are usually removed. Eyelid Margin Tumors Back to Dogs What is it? The eyelids are an extension of the skin, so similar tumors can grow there. The edge of the eyelid has tiny meibomian glands that lubricate the eye; overgrowth of these cells causes benign meibomian gland adenomas or, less often, malignant adenocarcinomas. Pigment cells can form melanomas, and squamous cells can form squamous cell carcinoma, which is linked to sunlight, especially in light-coated or hairless breeds. What signs should I watch for? Benign growths often look like small polyps or cauliflower-like bumps on the inside or outside of the lid. Malignant tumors tend to look irregular or nodular and may ulcerate, bleed, or become infected and painful. Other signs include squinting, eye discharge, a protruding third eyelid, thickened conjunctiva, and pawing or rubbing at the eye. A growth that touches the cornea can cause painful scratches and ulcers. How is it diagnosed and treated? A fine needle sample may help, but often the growth is removed and examined by a pathologist (histopathology) for a definite diagnosis. If cancer is suspected, X-rays, bloodwork, and other tests may check for spread. Treatment is usually surgical removal, sometimes with freezing (cryotherapy) or radiation, and antibiotics or anti-inflammatories for secondary infection. Your veterinarian may refer you to a veterinary ophthalmologist. Can it be prevented, and what's the outlook? There is no specific prevention, though limiting sun exposure may help light-coated dogs. Outlook depends on the tumor type and how early it is treated; prompt removal prevents eye damage and, for malignant tumors, reduces the chance of spread. Reviewed by the Adler Veterinary Hospital veterinary team, October 2026. Older dogs; light-coated breeds for squamous cell carcinoma Who's at risk: Bump on the eyelid edge, squinting, discharge, rubbing the eye Main signs: Schedule a visit soon Urgency: When to call a vet right away An eyelid lump that breaks open or bleeds A painful, red or infected eye Squinting or pawing at the eye Eye discharge The third eyelid showing more than usual Not sure whether it can wait? Call us anyway. Our team can help you decide. Source: VCA Animal Hospitals, Eyelid, Conjunctival, and Periocular Tumors Back to Dogs Related conditions Nuclear Sclerosis Entropion Periodontal Disease Next steps Watch a related video Watch on YouTube Helpful products See products Schedule an appointment Request appointment

A hooded or recessed vulva is hidden by skin folds that trap moisture and invite infection. Learn the signs in dogs and how weight loss or surgery can help. Hooded (Recessed) Vulva Back to Dogs What is it? With a recessed vulva (also called a hooded, juvenile, or hypoplastic vulva), skin folds partly cover a female dog's vulva. Genetics are thought to play a role, and it is more common in medium to large breeds, especially overweight dogs. Moisture and warmth trapped in the folds allow bacteria to grow, causing skin-fold inflammation (perivulvar dermatitis), vaginitis, or bladder infections. What signs should I watch for? Some dogs have no signs. Others scoot, lick the vulva a lot, or have a foul odor from the area. Some leak urine while sleeping. Signs of a urinary tract infection include accidents in a house-trained dog, straining to urinate, blood in the urine, or foul-smelling urine. How is it diagnosed and treated? Your veterinarian can see the problem on a physical exam and may find moisture and debris in the folds. Blood work, urinalysis, urine culture, X-rays or ultrasound, and skin swabs check for infection and other bladder problems. Infections are treated with topical or oral antibiotics. Mild cases can be managed with medicated wipes or shampoos and, for overweight dogs, weight loss to shrink the folds. For severe or recurring cases, a surgery called vulvoplasty (episioplasty) restores a more normal shape. Can it be prevented, and what's the outlook? Keeping your dog at a healthy weight and the area clean and dry helps. If the underlying fold is not addressed, infections tend to come back. Dogs that have a vulvoplasty usually improve significantly; with medical management alone, the outlook depends on severity and response. Reviewed by the Adler Veterinary Hospital veterinary team, October 2026. Female dogs, especially medium to large and overweight dogs Who's at risk: Licking or scooting, odor, skin-fold redness, urinary infections Main signs: Schedule a visit soon Urgency: When to call a vet right away Straining to urinate Blood in the urine A foul odor from the urine or vulva Urinary accidents in a house-trained dog Not sure whether it can wait? Call us anyway. Our team can help you decide. Source: VCA Animal Hospitals, Recessed Vulva in Dogs Back to Dogs Related conditions Vaginal Hyperplasia Urinary Incontinence Ectopic Ureters Next steps Watch a related video Watch on YouTube Helpful products See products Schedule an appointment Request appointment

False pregnancy is common in unspayed dogs after a heat and causes pregnancy-like signs and mothering behavior. Learn what to watch for and when to see a vet. False Pregnancy (Pseudopregnancy) Back to Dogs What is it? False (phantom) pregnancy is a mix of mothering behavior and physical signs of pregnancy in an unspayed female who is not pregnant. It is caused by normal hormone changes after heat and can happen whether or not she was mated. Most unspayed females show some signs after heat, and severity can vary from cycle to cycle. What signs should I watch for? Signs usually start four to nine weeks after heat and can include enlarged mammary glands with or without milk, weight gain or an enlarged belly, lethargy, occasional vomiting, fluid retention, and a decreased appetite. Behavior changes include nesting, mothering or guarding toys and other objects, restlessness, less interest in activity, false labor, and occasionally aggression. How is it diagnosed and treated? If she could have been mated, your veterinarian can check for true pregnancy with ultrasound or X-rays. Most cases are mild and need no treatment because signs fade in about 14 to 21 days. If she seems physically ill or the behavior changes are a concern, treatment may include medication for anxiety or to reduce milk and fluid, and rarely hormonal treatment. Do not massage or milk the teats, which only increases milk production. Can it be prevented, and what's the outlook? If she will not be bred, spaying is recommended to prevent future episodes, ideally after all signs have resolved; spaying during a false pregnancy can make signs last several weeks longer. Reviewed by the Adler Veterinary Hospital veterinary team, October 2026. Unspayed females, 4 to 9 weeks after a heat cycle Who's at risk: Enlarged mammary glands, milk, nesting, guarding toys Main signs: Schedule a visit soon Urgency: When to call a vet right away Your dog seems physically ill Behavior changes that are severe, such as aggression Vomiting or a poor appetite that doesn't pass Signs of pregnancy in a dog that may have been mated Not sure whether it can wait? Call us anyway. Our team can help you decide. Source: VCA, False Pregnancy in Dogs Back to Dogs Related conditions Vaginitis Pregnancy Nutrition Mastitis Next steps Watch a related video Watch on YouTube Helpful products See products Schedule an appointment Request appointment

Liver tumors in dogs can be benign or malignant, and some can rupture and bleed. Learn the signs to watch for, how they are diagnosed, and treatment options. Liver Tumors Back to Dogs What is it? A liver tumor is an abnormal growth of cells in the liver. Primary tumors (those that start in the liver) are rare; more often, cancer spreads to the liver from elsewhere. In dogs, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver tumor, followed by bile duct carcinoma. Tumors may form one large mass, several nodules, or spread through the whole liver. They tend to occur in pets older than about nine years, and no specific cause is known. What signs should I watch for? Some dogs show no signs. Others have poor appetite, fever, lethargy, weight change, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, increased drinking and urination, or yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice). Occasionally there are seizures, disorientation, stumbling, or weakness. Sudden weakness, collapse, pale gums, and trouble breathing can mean a tumor has ruptured and is bleeding into the abdomen. How is it diagnosed and treated? Your veterinarian may feel an enlarged liver or a mass, or find rising liver enzymes on repeat blood tests. Ultrasound is the most sensitive way to find liver masses; CT or MRI is sometimes used. A needle sample or, more accurately, a core-needle biopsy identifies the tumor type. Surgery, removing the tumor or the affected liver lobe, is the treatment of choice for most single masses, and the liver can regrow after a large portion is removed. Chemotherapy has a less defined role, and newer options such as chemoembolization exist for some inoperable tumors. Can it be prevented, and what's the outlook? There is no known prevention. Benign tumors and single large HCCs that can be removed have a good to excellent outlook. Bile duct carcinomas, neuroendocrine tumors, and sarcomas, which tend to spread, have a guarded to poor outlook. Reviewed by the Adler Veterinary Hospital veterinary team, October 2026. Older dogs, usually over nine years Who's at risk: Poor appetite, vomiting, thirst, jaundice; sometimes no signs Main signs: Schedule a visit soon Urgency: When to call a vet right away Sudden weakness, lethargy, or collapse Pale gums Difficulty breathing Not sure whether it can wait? Call us anyway. Our team can help you decide. Source: VCA Animal Hospitals, Liver Tumors Back to Dogs Related conditions Splenic Tumors Fatty Tumor (Lipoma) Lymphoma Next steps Watch a related video Watch on YouTube Helpful products See products Schedule an appointment Request appointment

Discoid lupus, or collie nose, is an autoimmune disease that usually starts on a dog's nose, causing pigment loss, crusts and sores. Learn the signs and care. Discoid Lupus Erythematosus (DLE) Back to Dogs What is it? DLE, also called cutaneous lupus erythematosus, is the most common form of lupus affecting only the skin in dogs; it is very rare in cats. The immune system attacks a layer of skin cells, so the surface sheds. The cause is unknown, but ultraviolet (UV) light worsens it and it is more common in sunny climates. It is seen more often in collies, Shetland sheepdogs, German shepherds, and Siberian huskies, although it can occur in any breed. It is considered a relatively benign autoimmune disease. What signs should I watch for? The nose typically loses pigment, and its normal bumpy, cobblestone texture becomes smooth and flat. Erosions, sores, scaling, and crusts develop. Lesions may spread to the skin around the eyes and lips, the ear flaps, and rarely the genitals or the whole body. Because the nose has a rich blood supply, sores near a larger vessel can bleed heavily. Some dogs are bothered by it, while others seem unaffected. How is it diagnosed and treated? A skin biopsy is needed to confirm DLE; for the nose and face this is usually done under sedation or anesthesia. Treatment suppresses the immune reaction, often starting with steroids such as prednisone or dexamethasone, with stronger immune-suppressing drugs if needed and antibiotics or medicated care for secondary infection. Your veterinarian will tailor the plan. Can it be prevented, and what's the outlook? Because UV light worsens DLE, ask your veterinarian about limiting your dog's sun exposure. Autoimmune skin disease is rarely cured, but it is usually well controlled with the right medications. Reviewed by the Adler Veterinary Hospital veterinary team, October 2026. Collies, Shelties, German shepherds, Huskies; sunny climates Who's at risk: Nose loses pigment and becomes smooth; crusts and sores on the nose Main signs: Schedule a visit soon Urgency: When to call a vet right away Heavy bleeding from a sore on the nose Sores, erosions or ulcers on the nose Sores spreading to the eyes, lips or ear flaps Not sure whether it can wait? Call us anyway. Our team can help you decide. Source: VCA Animal Hospitals, Discoid (Cutaneous) Lupus Erythematosus; VCA Animal Hospitals, Autoimmune Skin Disease in Dogs Back to Dogs Related conditions Ear Tip Necrosis Ear Hematoma Ear Infections Next steps Watch a related video Watch on YouTube Helpful products See products Schedule an appointment Request appointment

False pregnancy is uncommon in cats and can cause pregnancy-like signs after ovulation. Learn what to watch for, how it is confirmed, and when it passes. False Pregnancy (Pseudopregnancy) Back to Cats What is it? False pregnancy (pseudopregnancy) is uncommon in cats. It occurs when a cat has been induced to ovulate but did not conceive. What signs should I watch for? Signs can include mammary gland development with milk production and behavior changes, such as acting as if she is pregnant or has given birth. How is it diagnosed and treated? Your veterinarian can rule out a true pregnancy with the history, an exam, and X-rays or ultrasound. Treatment is usually not recommended because the condition usually ends on its own in one to three weeks and treatments can have significant side effects. Do not milk out the mammary glands, which only stimulates more milk. Can it be prevented, and what's the outlook? If your cat has repeated episodes, spaying will stop them from happening again. Reviewed by the Adler Veterinary Hospital veterinary team, October 2026. Unspayed female cats after ovulating without pregnancy Who's at risk: Enlarged mammary glands, milk, nesting or mothering behavior Main signs: Schedule a visit soon Urgency: When to call a vet right away Hot, swollen or painful mammary glands Milk that looks abnormal in color or thickness Fever, depression, poor appetite or lethargy Not sure whether it can wait? Call us anyway. Our team can help you decide. Source: Merck, Reproductive Disorders: Female Cats Back to Cats Related conditions Neonatal Isoerythrolysis Eclampsia (Milk Fever) Pregnancy Nutrition Next steps Watch a related video Watch on YouTube Helpful products See products Schedule an appointment Request appointment

Skin cysts in dogs are benign sacs filled with keratin, often from hair follicles. Learn what they look like, why not to squeeze them, and when to see a vet. Skin Cysts (Follicular Cysts) Back to Dogs What is it? Most skin cysts in dogs are malformations of hair follicles that fill with keratin, a skin protein. The contents are often gray, brown, or yellowish and cheesy. There are several types, named for the part of the follicle involved, such as infundibular follicular cysts. Dermoid cysts are a type present from birth, most often seen in Boxers, Kerry blue terriers, and Rhodesian ridgebacks. What signs should I watch for? Look for a single or several round lumps in or under the skin, often with a firm core. A cyst may open and release thick, cheesy material. A cyst that becomes red, swollen, or sore may be inflamed. How is it diagnosed and treated? Your veterinarian can usually recognize a cyst on examination, and a sample can rule out other lumps. Surgical removal is the best treatment. Do not try to squeeze a cyst: pushing the contents into the surrounding tissue can trigger severe inflammation, because the body reacts to the material as something foreign. Can it be prevented, and what's the outlook? Skin cysts are benign and there is no known way to prevent them. Removed cysts usually do not cause further trouble, but new ones can appear. Have new lumps checked so other kinds of growths are not missed. Reviewed by the Adler Veterinary Hospital veterinary team, October 2026. Any dog; dermoid cysts in Boxers, Kerry blues, Ridgebacks Who's at risk: Round lump in or under the skin; may ooze cheesy material Main signs: Schedule a visit soon Urgency: When to call a vet right away A cyst that becomes red, swollen or sore A cyst that bursts open A lump that is growing or changing Any new lump (have it checked rather than squeezing it) Not sure whether it can wait? Call us anyway. Our team can help you decide. Source: Merck Veterinary Manual, Tumors of the Skin in Dogs (Keratinized Skin Cysts) Back to Dogs Related conditions Sebaceous Adenoma Skin Tags Mast Cell Tumors Next steps Watch a related video Watch on YouTube Helpful products See products Schedule an appointment Request appointment

Pyometra is a serious, life-threatening uterine infection in unspayed female cats. Learn the warning signs, why fast treatment matters, and how spaying helps. Pyometra Back to Cats What is it? Pyometra is a bacterial infection of the uterus driven by hormone changes after heat. Prolonged high progesterone thickens the uterine lining and can form cysts that make an ideal place for bacteria. It can affect any unspayed female but is most common in older cats. Hormone medications containing progesterone or estrogen can also raise the risk. What signs should I watch for? If the cervix is open, pus (often bloody) drains from the vulva and may be seen on the fur or bedding. If it is closed, pus builds up, the belly may swell, and cats can become very ill quickly. Other signs include lethargy, poor appetite, vomiting, and drinking and urinating more. Signs can progress rapidly to shock and death. How is it diagnosed and treated? Diagnosis uses an exam, the nature of any discharge, X-rays, ultrasound, and blood and urine tests. Spaying (removing the uterus and ovaries) is the best treatment in most cases and is curative; the cat may need intravenous fluids and antibiotics first. Medical treatment with prostaglandins may be considered for some breeding cats with an open cervix, but it has side effects, carries a risk of uterine rupture (higher with a closed cervix), and recurrence is common. Can it be prevented, and what's the outlook? Without treatment, pyometra is often fatal. Any unspayed female given hormones should be watched closely. Cats that respond to medical treatment should be bred on following cycles until no more litters are wanted, then spayed. Reviewed by the Adler Veterinary Hospital veterinary team, October 2026. Unspayed female cats, especially older cats Who's at risk: Discharge from the vulva, drinking more, lethargy, vomiting, swollen belly Main signs: Emergency — see a vet now Urgency: When to call a vet right away An unspayed female who seems very ill or is drinking more than usual Pus or bloody discharge from the vulva A swollen belly Vomiting, not eating, or extreme tiredness Not sure whether it can wait? Call us anyway. Our team can help you decide. Source: VCA, Pyometra in Cats Back to Cats Related conditions Retained Placenta Difficult Birth Uterine Infection Next steps Watch a related video Watch on YouTube Helpful products See products Schedule an appointment Request appointment

Nuclear sclerosis is a normal, age-related bluish haze in an older dog's eyes. Learn how it differs from cataracts and which eye changes should be checked. Nuclear Sclerosis (Lenticular Sclerosis) Back to Dogs What is it? Nuclear (lenticular) sclerosis is a gradual hardening of the center of the lens. The lens keeps adding new fibers throughout life without growing larger, so the central fibers become compressed and dense. It is considered a normal aging change in middle-aged to senior dogs. It is not the same as a cataract: a cataract is white and opaque, blocks light from reaching the retina, and reduces vision, while nuclear sclerosis does not appear to affect vision much. What signs should I watch for? You may notice an even, bluish or gray, rounded cloudiness in the center of both pupils, often easier to see from the side or in dim light. Your dog should otherwise see and behave normally. Bumping into things, white spots in the eye, or other vision changes are reasons to have the eyes checked, since cataracts are also common in older dogs. How is it diagnosed and treated? Your veterinarian can tell nuclear sclerosis from a cataract during an eye exam: with nuclear sclerosis, the back of the eye can still be seen through the lens. No treatment is needed. Regular checkups help catch cataracts, which can be treated surgically, ideally early. Can it be prevented, and what's the outlook? Because it is a normal part of aging, nuclear sclerosis cannot be prevented, and the outlook for vision is good. Many older dogs later develop cataracts too, but nuclear sclerosis does not cause them. Reviewed by the Adler Veterinary Hospital veterinary team, October 2026. Middle-aged to senior dogs; very common over age nine Who's at risk: Even bluish-gray haze in both pupils; vision mostly normal Main signs: Ongoing management with your vet Urgency: When to call a vet right away Bumping into things, or other vision changes White spots in the eye Cloudiness that looks white and solid rather than a bluish haze Not sure whether it can wait? Call us anyway. Our team can help you decide. Source: VCA Animal Hospitals, Lenticular Sclerosis in Dogs Back to Dogs Related conditions Cognitive Dysfunction (Dementia) Entropion Eyelid Tumors Next steps Watch a related video Watch on YouTube Helpful products See products Schedule an appointment Request appointment

Inclusion body disease is a serious, contagious viral disease of boas and pythons. Learn the signs, such as stargazing, and how to protect other snakes. Inclusion Body Disease (IBD) Back to Snakes What is it? Inclusion body disease is a serious, contagious viral disease of boas and pythons caused by reptarenaviruses. Boas may carry it for months or years without signs, while pythons often become ill faster. It mainly affects the nervous system. Snake mites may help spread it. What signs should I watch for? Signs to watch for include regurgitation and weight loss, head tremors or 'stargazing', trouble righting itself when turned over, poor muscle tone and lethargy, and recurrent infections. How is it diagnosed and treated? Diagnosis uses blood tests, PCR testing, and sometimes tissue biopsies. There is no cure; supportive care is possible, but infected snakes should be isolated. Can it be prevented, and what's the outlook? IBD is usually ultimately fatal. Strict quarantine, testing new snakes, and mite control are the best prevention. Reviewed by the Adler Veterinary Hospital veterinary team, October 2026. Boas and pythons Who's at risk: Regurgitation, head tremors, stargazing, trouble righting itself Main signs: Ongoing management with your vet Urgency: When to call a vet right away Head tremors or 'stargazing' Trouble righting itself when turned over Regurgitation Not sure whether it can wait? Call us anyway. Our team can help you decide. Source: VCA, Common Diseases of Pet Snakes Back to Snakes Related conditions Cryptosporidiosis Ferlavirus Respiratory Infections Next steps Watch a related video Watch on YouTube Helpful products See products Schedule an appointment Request appointment

Client education on common conditions in ferrets, including adrenal gland disease, insulinoma and lymphoma. General information that doesn't replace an exam. Common Conditions in Ferrets Client education from Adler Veterinary Hospital, Southwest Florida. These summaries are for general information and don't replace an exam. Adrenal Disease Adrenal disease is one of the most common illnesses of pet ferrets in North America, usually in ferrets over three. More info Heart Disease (DCM) Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a heart disease in which the heart muscle weakens and the heart enlarges. More info Insulinoma An insulinoma is a tumor of the pancreas that produces too much insulin, causing low blood sugar. More info Distemper Canine distemper is a virus that is almost always fatal in ferrets. More info Helicobacter Gastritis Many ferrets carry the stomach bacterium Helicobacter mustelae. More info Lymphoma Lymphoma is the most common cancer in ferrets, affecting the lymph nodes, spleen, liver, bone marrow, and other organs. More info ECE (Green Diarrhea) ECE is a contagious intestinal infection caused by a ferret coronavirus. More info Influenza Ferrets can catch human influenza viruses, and they can pass them back. More info Swallowed Objects Ferrets love to chew rubber, foam, and soft plastic, and pieces can block the stomach or intestines. More info