Disease guides
Animal diseases explained, with the lab tests that help
47 plain-language guides for dogs, cats, cows and buffaloes. Each one lists the signs owners may notice and the tests a veterinarian may ask for. These guides do not replace a veterinary examination.
Dog conditions
Canine Parvovirus (Parvo)
Canine parvovirus (parvo) is a very contagious virus that attacks a dog's gut and lowers its white blood cells, mostly in puppies. A stool rapid test, PCR, ELISA and a CBC can help your vet confirm it and judge how sick the dog is.
Read the guideCanine Distemper
Canine distemper is a serious virus disease of dogs that can affect the eyes, nose, lungs, gut and nerves. A rapid kit, ELISA and PCR can help your vet detect the virus, read together with the dog's signs and vaccine history.
Read the guideTick Fever in Dogs (Ehrlichiosis, Babesiosis & Anaplasmosis)
Tick fever is the common name for blood infections that ticks pass to dogs, such as ehrlichiosis, babesiosis and anaplasmosis. A blood smear, CBC, rapid antibody tests and PCR panels can help your vet find which germ is involved.
Read the guideLeptospirosis in Dogs, Cattle & Buffalo
Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection spread mainly through the urine of infected animals and dirty water, and it can pass to people. PCR, MAT, ELISA and kidney and liver tests can help your vet detect it in dogs, cows and buffaloes.
Read the guideKidney Disease in Dogs & Cats
Kidney disease means the kidneys cannot filter waste from the blood as well as they should. Blood tests such as creatinine, urea and SDMA, with urine tests such as urine routine and UPC ratio, can help your vet find it early and follow it.
Read the guideLiver Disease in Dogs & Cats
Liver disease means the liver is damaged or not working well, from causes such as infection, toxins, fatty liver or a liver shunt. LFT, bile acids, bilirubin and ammonia tests can help your vet find liver trouble and decide on the next steps.
Read the guideDiabetes in Dogs & Cats
Diabetes mellitus is a long-term condition in which the body cannot control blood sugar, because it makes too little insulin or responds poorly to it. Glucose, fructosamine, HbA1c, urine and ketone tests can help your vet diagnose and follow it.
Read the guideHypothyroidism in Dogs
Hypothyroidism is a hormone problem in which a dog's thyroid gland makes too little thyroid hormone, so the body slows down. T4, free T4, TSH and cholesterol tests can help your vet confirm it, because one low result alone is not enough.
Read the guideCushing's Disease in Dogs
Cushing's disease is a hormone problem in which a dog's body makes too much cortisol, a stress hormone. ALP, cholesterol and urine tests can raise suspicion, and the ACTH stimulation test, LDDST and urine cortisol ratio help your vet confirm it.
Read the guidePancreatitis in Dogs & Cats
Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas, the organ that makes digestive enzymes and insulin. Pancreatic lipase tests made for each species (cPL for dogs, fPL for cats), with a CBC, glucose and other blood tests, can help your vet detect it.
Read the guideAnaemia in Dogs & Cats (including IMHA)
Anaemia means too few red blood cells, so the body gets less oxygen. It can come from blood loss, red cell destruction such as IMHA, or poor production. CBC, PCV, reticulocyte, smear, Coombs and blood parasite tests help your vet find the cause.
Read the guideHeartworm Disease in Dogs & Cats
Heartworm disease is caused by a worm, spread by mosquitoes, that lives in the heart and lung blood vessels. Antigen rapid tests, the Knott's test and PCR can help your vet detect it in dogs; cats are harder to test, so vets often combine tests.
Read the guideIntestinal Worms & Giardia in Dogs & Cats
Intestinal worms such as roundworms and hookworms, and Giardia, a single-celled parasite, can live in the gut of dogs and cats and cause diarrhoea. Faecal flotation, direct smear, Giardia antigen and PCR tests can help your vet find them.
Read the guideKennel Cough in Dogs
Kennel cough is a contagious infection of a dog's windpipe and airways, caused by germs such as Bordetella, canine parainfluenza virus and canine adenovirus-2. A respiratory PCR panel on a nose or throat swab can help your vet find the germs involved.
Read the guideCanine Brucellosis
Canine brucellosis is an infection caused by the bacterium Brucella canis that can cause abortion and infertility in dogs, and it can pass to people. A rapid antibody test and PCR can help your vet detect it, often using more than one test.
Read the guideSkin Diseases, Mange & Ringworm in Dogs & Cats
Skin disease in dogs and cats can come from mites (mange), fungi (ringworm), bacteria, yeast or allergies, and several causes can look alike. Skin scraping, hair pluck, fungal tests, cytology and bacterial culture can help your vet find the cause.
Read the guideUrinary Tract Infection in Dogs & Cats
A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection, usually by bacteria, of the bladder or other parts of the urinary tract. Tests such as urine routine and urine culture help your vet confirm it and plan the next step.
Read the guideToxoplasmosis in Cats & Dogs
Toxoplasmosis is an infection with the parasite Toxoplasma gondii. Most infected cats and dogs show no signs, but some become very ill, and it can pass to people. Antibody tests (IgG and IgM) and PCR help your vet.
Read the guideSurra (Trypanosomiasis)
Surra is a blood infection caused by Trypanosoma evansi, a parasite spread mainly by biting flies, that can affect cattle, buffaloes and dogs. A wet film or buffy coat smear, PCR and an antibody ELISA help a vet find it.
Read the guideCat conditions
Kidney Disease in Dogs & Cats
Kidney disease means the kidneys cannot filter waste from the blood as well as they should. Blood tests such as creatinine, urea and SDMA, with urine tests such as urine routine and UPC ratio, can help your vet find it early and follow it.
Read the guideLiver Disease in Dogs & Cats
Liver disease means the liver is damaged or not working well, from causes such as infection, toxins, fatty liver or a liver shunt. LFT, bile acids, bilirubin and ammonia tests can help your vet find liver trouble and decide on the next steps.
Read the guideDiabetes in Dogs & Cats
Diabetes mellitus is a long-term condition in which the body cannot control blood sugar, because it makes too little insulin or responds poorly to it. Glucose, fructosamine, HbA1c, urine and ketone tests can help your vet diagnose and follow it.
Read the guidePancreatitis in Dogs & Cats
Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas, the organ that makes digestive enzymes and insulin. Pancreatic lipase tests made for each species (cPL for dogs, fPL for cats), with a CBC, glucose and other blood tests, can help your vet detect it.
Read the guideAnaemia in Dogs & Cats (including IMHA)
Anaemia means too few red blood cells, so the body gets less oxygen. It can come from blood loss, red cell destruction such as IMHA, or poor production. CBC, PCV, reticulocyte, smear, Coombs and blood parasite tests help your vet find the cause.
Read the guideHeartworm Disease in Dogs & Cats
Heartworm disease is caused by a worm, spread by mosquitoes, that lives in the heart and lung blood vessels. Antigen rapid tests, the Knott's test and PCR can help your vet detect it in dogs; cats are harder to test, so vets often combine tests.
Read the guideIntestinal Worms & Giardia in Dogs & Cats
Intestinal worms such as roundworms and hookworms, and Giardia, a single-celled parasite, can live in the gut of dogs and cats and cause diarrhoea. Faecal flotation, direct smear, Giardia antigen and PCR tests can help your vet find them.
Read the guideSkin Diseases, Mange & Ringworm in Dogs & Cats
Skin disease in dogs and cats can come from mites (mange), fungi (ringworm), bacteria, yeast or allergies, and several causes can look alike. Skin scraping, hair pluck, fungal tests, cytology and bacterial culture can help your vet find the cause.
Read the guideUrinary Tract Infection in Dogs & Cats
A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection, usually by bacteria, of the bladder or other parts of the urinary tract. Tests such as urine routine and urine culture help your vet confirm it and plan the next step.
Read the guideFeline Leukaemia Virus (FeLV)
Feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) is a cat-only virus that can weaken the immune system and cause anaemia or cancer. Blood tests such as the FeLV antigen test and PCR help your vet find out whether a cat is infected.
Read the guideFeline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)
Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) is a cat-only virus that slowly weakens the immune system. An FIV antibody test, the FIV / FeLV combo kit and PCR help your vet find out whether a cat is infected.
Read the guideFeline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP)
Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is a serious disease that can develop when the common feline coronavirus changes inside a cat's body. No single test confirms every case; fluid tests, PCR and blood tests together help your vet.
Read the guideFeline Panleukopenia (Cat Parvo)
Feline panleukopenia, or cat parvo, is a severe and very contagious viral disease that mainly strikes kittens and unvaccinated cats. A faecal rapid antigen test, PCR and a CBC help your vet confirm it.
Read the guideCat Flu (Upper Respiratory Infection)
Cat flu is an infection of a cat's nose, throat and eyes, most often caused by feline herpesvirus-1 or feline calicivirus. PCR tests on eye or throat swabs, and swab cultures, help your vet find the cause.
Read the guideHyperthyroidism in Cats
Hyperthyroidism is a common hormone disease of older cats in which the thyroid gland makes too much thyroid hormone. A total T4 blood test, sometimes with free T4, helps confirm it, and kidney and liver tests show its wider effects.
Read the guideFeline Infectious Anaemia (Haemotropic Mycoplasma)
Feline infectious anaemia is a loss of red blood cells caused by tiny bacteria called haemoplasmas that stick to red cells. PCR is the most reliable test, and a CBC and blood smear show how anaemic the cat is.
Read the guideToxoplasmosis in Cats & Dogs
Toxoplasmosis is an infection with the parasite Toxoplasma gondii. Most infected cats and dogs show no signs, but some become very ill, and it can pass to people. Antibody tests (IgG and IgM) and PCR help your vet.
Read the guideCow conditions
Leptospirosis in Dogs, Cattle & Buffalo
Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection spread mainly through the urine of infected animals and dirty water, and it can pass to people. PCR, MAT, ELISA and kidney and liver tests can help your vet detect it in dogs, cows and buffaloes.
Read the guideMastitis in Cows & Buffaloes
Mastitis is inflammation of the udder, usually caused by bacteria entering through the teat. Milk tests such as CMT and somatic cell count can find hidden (subclinical) mastitis, and milk culture or PCR can identify the germ.
Read the guideBrucellosis in Cows & Buffaloes
Brucellosis is a bacterial disease of cows and buffaloes that causes abortion and poor fertility, and it can pass to people. Blood and milk tests such as RBPT, STAT, ELISA and the milk ring test help find infected animals.
Read the guideBovine Tuberculosis
Bovine tuberculosis (TB) is a slow, long-lasting bacterial disease of cows and buffaloes that can pass to people. The skin test is done by a vet on the farm, and lab tests such as antibody ELISA, PCR and AFB stain add evidence.
Read the guideJohne's Disease (Paratuberculosis)
Johne's disease is a long-lasting bacterial infection of the gut in cows and buffaloes that causes slow wasting and diarrhoea in adults. An antibody ELISA on blood or milk and a faecal PCR help your vet find infected animals.
Read the guideFoot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD)
Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious, notifiable viral disease of cows and buffaloes that causes fever and blisters in the mouth and feet. RT-PCR on blister samples and antibody ELISAs help confirm it.
Read the guideLumpy Skin Disease (LSD)
Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is a notifiable viral disease of cattle and buffaloes that causes fever and firm lumps on the skin. PCR on a skin lump, scab or blood can confirm it, and an antibody ELISA shows exposure.
Read the guideHaemorrhagic Septicaemia (HS)
Haemorrhagic septicaemia (HS), called galghotu in many villages, is a fast and often fatal bacterial disease of buffaloes and cows caused by Pasteurella multocida. PCR, culture and a stained blood smear help your vet confirm it.
Read the guideBlack Quarter (BQ)
Black quarter (BQ) is a fast, often fatal bacterial infection of the muscles in young cattle and buffaloes, caused by Clostridium chauvoei. Lab tests such as PCR on affected muscle help a vet confirm it, often from a sample taken after death.
Read the guideTheileriosis in Cattle & Buffalo (Tick Fever)
Theileriosis is a tick-borne blood parasite disease of cattle and buffaloes that causes high fever, swollen glands and anaemia. Blood and gland smears, PCR, antibody ELISA and a CBC help a vet find the parasite and judge how ill the animal is.
Read the guideBabesiosis & Anaplasmosis in Cattle & Buffalo
Babesiosis (redwater) and anaplasmosis are tick-borne blood infections of cattle and buffaloes that destroy red blood cells and cause fever and anaemia. A blood smear, PCR panel and CBC help a vet find which one is present.
Read the guideSurra (Trypanosomiasis)
Surra is a blood infection caused by Trypanosoma evansi, a parasite spread mainly by biting flies, that can affect cattle, buffaloes and dogs. A wet film or buffy coat smear, PCR and an antibody ELISA help a vet find it.
Read the guideKetosis in Dairy Cows & Buffaloes
Ketosis is a shortage of energy in dairy cows and buffaloes, most often in the first weeks after calving, when so much body fat is broken down that ketones build up in the blood. Blood and milk BHB, NEFA, glucose and urine tests help a vet confirm it.
Read the guideMilk Fever (Hypocalcaemia) in Cows & Buffaloes
Milk fever is a sudden fall in blood calcium around calving that can leave a cow or buffalo weak, cold and unable to stand. It is an emergency that needs a vet at once; calcium, phosphorus and magnesium tests help confirm it and check the herd.
Read the guideRepeat Breeding & Infertility in Cows & Buffaloes
Repeat breeding is when a healthy-looking cow or buffalo keeps coming back into heat after mating or insemination and does not conceive. Hormone, pregnancy, uterine swab, venereal disease and mineral tests help a vet look for the cause.
Read the guideAbortion in Cows & Buffaloes
Abortion is the loss of a pregnancy in a cow or buffalo before the calf can survive. Infections such as brucellosis, leptospirosis, Neospora, Q fever, IBR and BVD are common causes; an abortion panel helps a vet look for them, but many stay unexplained.
Read the guideCalf Diarrhoea (Scours)
Calf scours is diarrhoea in young calves, often caused by viruses, bacteria or parasites, and it can quickly drain a calf of water and strength. Rapid kits, PCR panels, dung tests and a colostrum antibody test help a vet find the cause and the risk.
Read the guideBovine Respiratory Disease (Pneumonia)
Bovine respiratory disease is pneumonia and airway infection in cattle and buffaloes, usually caused by a mix of viruses and bacteria after stress. Nasal swab PCR panels, swab culture and a CBC help a vet find the germs and plan care.
Read the guideWorms & Liver Fluke in Cattle & Buffalo
Worms and liver fluke are parasites living in the gut, liver or lungs of cattle and buffaloes that can cause weight loss, anaemia and less milk. Dung tests such as flotation, sedimentation, egg counts and the Baermann test help a vet find them.
Read the guideRingworm & Skin Diseases in Cattle & Buffalo
Ringworm is a fungal skin infection that causes round, crusty, hairless patches in cattle and buffaloes; mange mites, lice and bacteria cause other skin problems. KOH exams, skin scrapings and culture help a vet find the cause. Ringworm can pass to people.
Read the guideBVD (Bovine Viral Diarrhoea)
BVD (bovine viral diarrhoea) is a virus disease that can cause diarrhoea, fever, poor fertility, abortion and weak immunity in cattle and buffaloes. Antigen ELISA and RT-PCR can find infected and persistently infected animals; antibody ELISA shows exposure.
Read the guideIBR (Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis)
IBR is a herpesvirus infection of cattle and buffaloes that can cause fever, a red runny nose, cough, abortion and genital sores, and infected animals carry the virus for life. Antibody ELISA and PCR help a vet find infected animals.
Read the guideBluetongue
Bluetongue is a virus disease of ruminants spread by tiny biting midges; cattle and buffaloes often carry it with few signs but may get fever, mouth sores and lameness. Antibody ELISA and RT-PCR help a vet confirm infection.
Read the guideBuffalo conditions
Leptospirosis in Dogs, Cattle & Buffalo
Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection spread mainly through the urine of infected animals and dirty water, and it can pass to people. PCR, MAT, ELISA and kidney and liver tests can help your vet detect it in dogs, cows and buffaloes.
Read the guideMastitis in Cows & Buffaloes
Mastitis is inflammation of the udder, usually caused by bacteria entering through the teat. Milk tests such as CMT and somatic cell count can find hidden (subclinical) mastitis, and milk culture or PCR can identify the germ.
Read the guideBrucellosis in Cows & Buffaloes
Brucellosis is a bacterial disease of cows and buffaloes that causes abortion and poor fertility, and it can pass to people. Blood and milk tests such as RBPT, STAT, ELISA and the milk ring test help find infected animals.
Read the guideBovine Tuberculosis
Bovine tuberculosis (TB) is a slow, long-lasting bacterial disease of cows and buffaloes that can pass to people. The skin test is done by a vet on the farm, and lab tests such as antibody ELISA, PCR and AFB stain add evidence.
Read the guideJohne's Disease (Paratuberculosis)
Johne's disease is a long-lasting bacterial infection of the gut in cows and buffaloes that causes slow wasting and diarrhoea in adults. An antibody ELISA on blood or milk and a faecal PCR help your vet find infected animals.
Read the guideFoot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD)
Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious, notifiable viral disease of cows and buffaloes that causes fever and blisters in the mouth and feet. RT-PCR on blister samples and antibody ELISAs help confirm it.
Read the guideLumpy Skin Disease (LSD)
Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is a notifiable viral disease of cattle and buffaloes that causes fever and firm lumps on the skin. PCR on a skin lump, scab or blood can confirm it, and an antibody ELISA shows exposure.
Read the guideHaemorrhagic Septicaemia (HS)
Haemorrhagic septicaemia (HS), called galghotu in many villages, is a fast and often fatal bacterial disease of buffaloes and cows caused by Pasteurella multocida. PCR, culture and a stained blood smear help your vet confirm it.
Read the guideBlack Quarter (BQ)
Black quarter (BQ) is a fast, often fatal bacterial infection of the muscles in young cattle and buffaloes, caused by Clostridium chauvoei. Lab tests such as PCR on affected muscle help a vet confirm it, often from a sample taken after death.
Read the guideTheileriosis in Cattle & Buffalo (Tick Fever)
Theileriosis is a tick-borne blood parasite disease of cattle and buffaloes that causes high fever, swollen glands and anaemia. Blood and gland smears, PCR, antibody ELISA and a CBC help a vet find the parasite and judge how ill the animal is.
Read the guideBabesiosis & Anaplasmosis in Cattle & Buffalo
Babesiosis (redwater) and anaplasmosis are tick-borne blood infections of cattle and buffaloes that destroy red blood cells and cause fever and anaemia. A blood smear, PCR panel and CBC help a vet find which one is present.
Read the guideSurra (Trypanosomiasis)
Surra is a blood infection caused by Trypanosoma evansi, a parasite spread mainly by biting flies, that can affect cattle, buffaloes and dogs. A wet film or buffy coat smear, PCR and an antibody ELISA help a vet find it.
Read the guideKetosis in Dairy Cows & Buffaloes
Ketosis is a shortage of energy in dairy cows and buffaloes, most often in the first weeks after calving, when so much body fat is broken down that ketones build up in the blood. Blood and milk BHB, NEFA, glucose and urine tests help a vet confirm it.
Read the guideMilk Fever (Hypocalcaemia) in Cows & Buffaloes
Milk fever is a sudden fall in blood calcium around calving that can leave a cow or buffalo weak, cold and unable to stand. It is an emergency that needs a vet at once; calcium, phosphorus and magnesium tests help confirm it and check the herd.
Read the guideRepeat Breeding & Infertility in Cows & Buffaloes
Repeat breeding is when a healthy-looking cow or buffalo keeps coming back into heat after mating or insemination and does not conceive. Hormone, pregnancy, uterine swab, venereal disease and mineral tests help a vet look for the cause.
Read the guideAbortion in Cows & Buffaloes
Abortion is the loss of a pregnancy in a cow or buffalo before the calf can survive. Infections such as brucellosis, leptospirosis, Neospora, Q fever, IBR and BVD are common causes; an abortion panel helps a vet look for them, but many stay unexplained.
Read the guideCalf Diarrhoea (Scours)
Calf scours is diarrhoea in young calves, often caused by viruses, bacteria or parasites, and it can quickly drain a calf of water and strength. Rapid kits, PCR panels, dung tests and a colostrum antibody test help a vet find the cause and the risk.
Read the guideBovine Respiratory Disease (Pneumonia)
Bovine respiratory disease is pneumonia and airway infection in cattle and buffaloes, usually caused by a mix of viruses and bacteria after stress. Nasal swab PCR panels, swab culture and a CBC help a vet find the germs and plan care.
Read the guideWorms & Liver Fluke in Cattle & Buffalo
Worms and liver fluke are parasites living in the gut, liver or lungs of cattle and buffaloes that can cause weight loss, anaemia and less milk. Dung tests such as flotation, sedimentation, egg counts and the Baermann test help a vet find them.
Read the guideRingworm & Skin Diseases in Cattle & Buffalo
Ringworm is a fungal skin infection that causes round, crusty, hairless patches in cattle and buffaloes; mange mites, lice and bacteria cause other skin problems. KOH exams, skin scrapings and culture help a vet find the cause. Ringworm can pass to people.
Read the guideBVD (Bovine Viral Diarrhoea)
BVD (bovine viral diarrhoea) is a virus disease that can cause diarrhoea, fever, poor fertility, abortion and weak immunity in cattle and buffaloes. Antigen ELISA and RT-PCR can find infected and persistently infected animals; antibody ELISA shows exposure.
Read the guideIBR (Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis)
IBR is a herpesvirus infection of cattle and buffaloes that can cause fever, a red runny nose, cough, abortion and genital sores, and infected animals carry the virus for life. Antibody ELISA and PCR help a vet find infected animals.
Read the guideBluetongue
Bluetongue is a virus disease of ruminants spread by tiny biting midges; cattle and buffaloes often carry it with few signs but may get fever, mouth sores and lameness. Antibody ELISA and RT-PCR help a vet confirm infection.
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