Also known as hypoadrenocorticism, Addison’s Disease occurs when a pet’s adrenal glands (located just above the kidneys) do not produce enough of the steroid hormones cortisol and aldosterone.

These hormones play an important role in helping to regulate various bodily systems and organ functions so Addison’s Disease can be fatal to a pet who does not receive adequate treatment.

Alopecia is a disorder that causes a pet to have partial or complete hair loss in areas where hair is normally present. Alopecia is fairly common in dogs and cats and is typically a sign of an underlying condition. 

When a pet has a reduced number of red blood cells or hemoglobin circulating in their blood they will be diagnosed as anemic. Hemoglobin (located inside red blood cells) carries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body and removes carbon dioxide from the cells to be expelled through the lungs.

There are various types of anemia in pets depending on the cause of the deficiency.

Analgesia is the inability to feel pain, or significant reduction in pain. The term analgesia is typically used in veterinary medicine when discussing severe or chronic pain management in pets.

Anaphylaxis in pets is a severe allergic reaction. Anaphylaxis can be localized to one part of a pet’s body, like the skin or throat, or it can be more widespread, causing major organs like the heart to shut down.

Anorexia in pets is a decrease or complete loss of appetite. The pet may be physically hungry but still refuse to eat, leading to severe weight loss and nutritional deficiencies. Anorexia in pets can be due to an underlying medical condition or caused by psychological stressors.

An antiemetic is a medication or natural substance that reduces or prevents nausea and vomiting in pets. Antiemetics are typically given to dogs and cats who suffer from motion sickness or to help manage the side effects of an illness.

Antifungal substances prevent the growth of fungi and yeasts. Antifungal medications and products are used to treat fungal infections that typically affect the skin, hair, and nails in pets.

Bacterium is the singular term for bacteria, which are tiny living organisms (microorganisms). They are only one cell large and have most of the features of our human and animal cells but no distinct nucleus.

Bacteria can have positive or negative effects on our pets when inside their bodies, either causing diseases and illnesses like leptospirosis or helping enhance pets’ bodily processes like digestion and immune functioning.

When something affects two or both sides of something, it is referred to as “bilateral”. You may often hear or read this term during a veterinarian’s diagnosis or in pet insurance coverage when referring to “bilateral conditions” which affect parts of your pet’s body for which they have two.

Bilateral conditions in pets include any injuries or diseases that affect your pet’s eyes, legs, kidneys, or ears like hip dysplasia and cataracts.

Bile is a fluid made by a pet’s liver to help aid their digestion of fat. When not in use, this yellow-green fluid is stored in a pet’s gallbladder before being secreted into the duodenum (an area in the small intestine just below their stomach) when food needs to be digested.

If you ever see your pet vomit yellow liquid, it is most likely bile. This happens when their stomach is empty of food but irritation or inflammation within their GI tract is causing them to vomit. Many conditions can cause vomiting of bile in pets, including allergies, intestinal blockages (like large hairballs), or internal diseases and infections.

Bloat is a common serious condition in dogs that can be fatal if not treated urgently. Bloat occurs when gas, food, or fluid fills a dog’s stomach, making it expand so much that pressure is put on other organs.

Sometimes when bloat occurs, a dog’s stomach can twist, which is referred to as gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV). This traps blood flow into and out of the stomach, sending the dog into shock. Any dogs, especially larger dogs at higher risk, should be taken to an emergency veterinarian immediately if displaying signs of bloat.

Candida is a type of fungal yeast that naturally occurs within pets’ bodies. This yeast is typically found within a pet’s mouth, nose, ears, and GI tract as part of their normal microbial flora.

Although candida is not typically harmful to our pets due to the balance of “good” bacteria within their flora, some pets with poor immune systems or underlying health conditions may become infected (candidiasis).

• Atopic dermatitis (also called allergic dermatitis or atopy) is associated with allergies.
• Parasitic dermatitis is caused by parasite infestations like fleas, mites, or mange.
• Dermatitis caused by skin infections (pyoderma) is typically named after the bacteria or fungi causing the initial infection, such as staph dermatitis and Malassezia (yeast) dermatitis.