Hot spots can seem to appear almost overnight. One day your dog’s skin looks normal, and the next there may be a red, moist, irritated patch that your dog cannot stop licking or scratching. Hot spots, also called acute moist dermatitis, are areas of inflamed skin that can worsen quickly when licking, chewing, moisture, and bacteria continue to i...

Learn the warning signs of 11 common pet emergencies, from breathing difficulties and toxic ingestions to bloat, trauma, seizures, and urinary blockage in cats. Know when to seek immediate veterinary care and how to be better prepared before an emergency happens.

Pet emergencies happen fast. A dropped medication, an open pantry, a chewed bottle or a few unattended minutes can expose a dog or cat to something potentially dangerous. The outcome often depends on what was ingested, how much was consumed, the pet’s size and species, and how quickly appropriate treatment begins. A substance that causes only mi...