What would you like to know about your pet?
Articles by veterinarian Victor Costa on pet care, everyday routines and warning signs.
38 articles found
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Sep 19, 2026 · 10 min read
Brachycephalic syndrome: snoring is not cute
Noisy breathing, fatigue, heat intolerance and irritated eyes are not just breed traits. Learn the warning signs, tests and when to seek care.
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Sep 15, 2026 · 7 min read
Atopic dermatitis in dogs and cats: itch and care
Understand recurring itch, the differences between dogs and cats, and why fleas, infections and food belong in the diagnostic workup.
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Sep 15, 2026 · 7 min read
Cat coughing or a hairball: which signs matter?
Coughing, retching and breathing distress can look alike. Learn what to observe, when to seek urgent care and what to tell your veterinarian.
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Sep 15, 2026 · 8 min read
Chronic kidney disease in dogs and cats: signs
Learn the subtle signs of chronic kidney disease, how tests work together, and how to monitor dogs and cats without waiting for a decline.
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Sep 15, 2026 · 8 min read
Cognitive dysfunction in senior dogs and cats
Learn what changes in sleep, orientation, and social behavior may mean, how vets investigate them, and how to adapt your home.
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Sep 15, 2026 · 8 min read
Dog and cat vaccination: how to build a plan
Learn how core vaccines, individual risk, boosters, reactions, and records shape a vaccination plan beyond a generic schedule.
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Sep 15, 2026 · 8 min read
Dry eye in dogs and cats: signs and ongoing care
Thick discharge, redness and a dull cornea can point to dry eye. Learn how it is diagnosed and why ongoing care needs veterinary follow-up.
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Sep 15, 2026 · 9 min read
Environmental enrichment for dogs and cats
Learn how to choose, adapt, and progress activities for dogs and cats safely without treating every behavior as boredom.
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Sep 15, 2026 · 8 min read
Feline triaditis: signs, tests and treatment
Learn why the intestines, pancreas and biliary tract can become ill together, which signs need attention and why no single test gives every answer.
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Sep 15, 2026 · 7 min read
FeLV in cats: transmission, tests and care
Learn how FeLV spreads between cats, why a positive test needs context, and how prevention and care protect your cat.
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Sep 15, 2026 · 7 min read
How to tell if your dog or cat is in pain
Recognize changes in posture and behavior, understand the limits of pain scales, and learn what to record and when to seek veterinary care.
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Sep 15, 2026 · 6 min read
Hypothyroidism in dogs: signs and diagnosis
Weight gain, tiredness and coat changes need assessment. Learn why low T4 alone is not a diagnosis and how to prepare for your dog's appointment.
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Sep 15, 2026 · 11 min read
Malassezia in dogs and cats: when it causes disease
Learn when Malassezia shifts from normal microbiota to disease, what signs to watch for, and why diagnosis must look for an underlying cause.
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Sep 15, 2026 · 8 min read
Separation anxiety: a safer management plan
A practical plan to reduce distress during absences, train below your pet's threshold and know when to seek veterinary help.
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Sep 15, 2026 · 8 min read
Pancreatitis in dogs and cats: signs and care
Vomiting, pain and poor appetite can signal pancreatitis. Learn about tests, differences between dogs and cats, feeding and urgent veterinary care.
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Sep 15, 2026 · 8 min read
Periodontal disease in dogs and cats: signs and care
Bad breath, red gums, and changes in chewing may point to periodontal disease. Learn how it is examined, treated, and prevented.
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Sep 15, 2026 · 8 min read
Rescuing cats: first care and safe separation
Prepare for a rescued cat, recognize urgent signs, keep resident cats separate and reduce infection risks for animals and people.
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Sep 15, 2026 · 10 min read
Dog rescue: safety and first care
Learn how to approach, triage, separate, and care for a rescued dog without putting people or other animals at risk or delaying treatment.
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Sep 15, 2026 · 8 min read
Rescuing puppies and kittens: first care
Learn when to intervene and how to warm, feed, and stimulate orphaned puppies and kittens without delaying emergency care.
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Sep 15, 2026 · 7 min read
Reverse sneezing in dogs: when to worry
Learn to recognize reverse sneezing, spot emergency signs, respond during an episode and know when the cause needs investigation.
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Sep 15, 2026 · 7 min read
Seizures in dogs and cats: what to do
Learn how to protect a pet during a seizure, when to seek emergency care, what to record, and how veterinarians investigate the cause.
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Sep 15, 2026 · 7 min read
Senior dog and cat checkups: what to assess
Prepare for your senior pet's vet visit, understand how to discuss screening tests, and recognize changes that need attention before the next checkup.
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Sep 15, 2026 · 7 min read
Separation anxiety: signs in dogs and cats
Recognize distress during absences, understand what can resemble separation anxiety, and prepare useful videos and notes for a veterinary appointment.
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Sep 15, 2026 · 6 min read
Treating canine hypothyroidism: follow-up care
Organize prescribed medication, prepare for T4 testing and track your dog's response without changing thyroid treatment on your own.
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Sep 15, 2026 · 13 min read
Toxic plants for dogs and cats: a photo guide
See real photos of 29 plants poisonous to dogs and cats, warning signs, steps after ingestion and a checklist to prevent accidents.
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Sep 13, 2026 · 7 min read
Diabetes in dogs and cats: signs of instability
Recognize changes in thirst, urination, appetite and weight, plus low blood sugar signs. Know what to report and when to seek immediate care.
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Sep 13, 2026 · 7 min read
Feline asthma: diagnosis, treatment and control
Understand how feline asthma is investigated, what treatment does and how to reduce irritants at home. Learn when breathing trouble needs emergency care.
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Sep 13, 2026 · 7 min read
Pet first aid kit: what to keep at home
Learn what to pack for dogs and cats, which supplies need veterinary instructions, and download a checklist with an emergency plan.
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Sep 13, 2026 · 7 min read
Tracheal collapse in dogs: cough, crises and care
A honking cough needs investigation. Learn to recognize an emergency, understand the tests and discuss daily care with your veterinarian.
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Sep 08, 2026 · 6 min read
Heart disease in dogs and cats: signs and care
Understand signs of heart disease, diagnostic tests and care at home. Learn how to track breathing and recognize when immediate care is needed.
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Sep 08, 2026 · 7 min read
Distemper in dogs: signs and when to seek help
Learn what to observe, why distemper has no fixed sequence of stages and what to do when concerned. Interactive checklist and downloadable guide.
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Sep 07, 2026 · 7 min read
Fever in dogs and cats: signs and when to seek help
A warm nose cannot confirm a fever. Learn what to watch for, how to interpret your pet's temperature and when to call a veterinarian.
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Aug 11, 2026 · 7 min read
Odd behavior: is it the breed, drama or disease?
How to separate personality trait, species behavior and clinical sign, with the change ruler veterinarians use.
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Aug 11, 2026 · 9 min read
The first hours of an emergency: what to do (and what never to do)
Choking, poisoning, seizures, heatstroke: the first-hours protocol for each emergency, by an ER veterinarian.
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Aug 11, 2026 · 8 min read
Is it serious or can it wait? The reasoning vets actually use
The triage judgement that separates what can be watched at home from what needs a vet today, explained by an ER veterinarian.
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Aug 11, 2026 · 8 min read
What is normal in a pet (and how to learn YOUR pet's normal)
Appetite, water, urine, sleep, behavior: the six points that define your pet's normal and let you spot the abnormal a day earlier.
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Aug 11, 2026 · 6 min read
What to note before the vet visit so the diagnosis comes faster
The information that transforms a veterinary appointment: history, photos, videos and the measures that genuinely help the diagnosis.
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Aug 11, 2026 · 7 min read
When to go to the vet: 8 signs that cannot wait until tomorrow
The objective list of signs that demand veterinary care the same day, and the ones that allow methodical observation at home.
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