Knowledge Hub

Diarrhoea in a dog can be a passing upset or the first sign of a life-threatening infection. This guide explains when it is enough to keep an eye on things at home, when you need to see a vet straight away, and how to screen for the most common causes at home.

Found a tick on your dog? Don't throw it away! In just 5 minutes at home, you can find out whether the removed tick carried the Lyme disease pathogen. A guide to correct removal and testing.

In a pet whose condition is stable, a home rapid test screens for one specific pathogen within minutes. With difficulty breathing, collapse, bloody or continuous vomiting and diarrhoea, seizures or suspected poisoning, you do not test – you go straight to the vet. A positive result is always followed by a vet visit.

FIP is a rare but serious complication of feline coronavirus, mainly in cats under 2 years of age. With modern antiviral treatment most cats recover. The FIPV Ag and Ab rapid tests show coronavirus shedding and previous exposure to coronavirus respectively; diagnosing FIP is a job for the vet.

With a new puppy, the priorities are screening for parvo and Giardia in the first few days, then a vet check, a vaccination plan and a deworming plan in the first week. A printable checklist with vaccination, microchip and deworming tasks by age.