501(c)(3) Non-Profit • Reviewed by Dr. Tiffany Delacruz, DVM

Breed Health Guides

Breed-specific guides to the conditions your dog is most likely to face. Predispositions, treatment options, and what RexVet can help with — straight from a licensed DVM.

Talk to a vet — $64.99 Browse 25 guides

Common conditions by breed

Each guide covers why this breed is predisposed, what to watch for, treatment options, and long-term management — written and reviewed by a licensed veterinarian.

Dogs (15) Cats (10)

Dogs

15 guides

Boxers

Cancer

Boxers have one of the highest cancer rates in the dog world — by some surveys nearly 40% of Boxers die of cancer.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels

Heart Disease (MMVD)

MMVD

Myxomatous Mitral Valve Disease (MMVD) is the most common heart disease in dogs and the leading cause of death in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.

Dachshunds

Back Problems (IVDD)

IVDD

Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) is the leading cause of back and neurological problems in Dachshunds.

Doberman Pinschers

Cardiomyopathy (DCM)

DCM

Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) is the leading cause of death in Doberman Pinschers — by some studies more than 50% of Dobermans develop DCM in their lifetime.

French Bulldogs

Breathing Problems (BOAS)

BOAS

Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS) is the umbrella term for breathing trouble in flat-faced breeds.

Allergies

French Bulldogs are one of the most allergy-prone breeds — environmental allergies (atopic dermatitis), food allergies, and contact sensitivities are extremely common.

German Shepherds

Bloat (GDV)

GDV

Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV) — bloat — is a life-threatening emergency where the stomach fills with gas and then twists on itself, cutting off blood supply.

Degenerative Myelopathy

DM

Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) is a progressive neurological disease of the spinal cord, similar in many ways to ALS in humans.

Golden Retrievers

Cancer

Golden Retrievers have one of the highest lifetime cancer rates of any breed — Morris Animal Foundation's ongoing Golden Retriever Lifetime Study and other large surveys put it around 60% of Goldens dying of cancer, vs roughly 25% across all dogs.

Great Danes

Bloat (GDV)

GDV

Great Danes have the highest lifetime risk of GDV (Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus, aka bloat) of any breed — some studies put it at over 40% lifetime risk.

Labrador Retrievers

Hip Dysplasia

CHD

Canine hip dysplasia (CHD) is an inherited malformation of the hip joint where the ball of the femur and the socket of the pelvis don't fit together correctly.

Obesity

Labrador Retrievers are the most overweight breed in America — multiple studies put obesity rates over 60%.

Pugs

Breathing Problems (BOAS)

BOAS

Pugs are among the most severely brachycephalic breeds, with extremely flat faces and compressed airways.

Shih Tzus

Eye Problems

Shih Tzus are predisposed to a constellation of eye conditions because of their facial conformation — protruding eyes, shallow eye sockets, and facial hair that contacts the cornea.

Yorkshire Terriers

Dental Problems

Yorkshire Terriers have one of the highest rates of dental disease in dogs.

Cats

10 guides

Bengals

Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD)

FLUTD

Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD) is an umbrella term for conditions affecting the bladder and urethra — including idiopathic cystitis, urinary crystals, bladder stones, and urethral obstruction.

British Shorthairs

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

HCM

British Shorthairs have an elevated risk of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) compared to the general cat population.

Domestic Shorthairs

Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD)

FLUTD

Domestic Shorthairs are the most common cat in American homes, and Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD) is one of the most common reasons they end up at the vet.

Maine Coons

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

HCM

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most common heart disease in cats and the leading cause of sudden death in Maine Coons.

Persians

Polycystic Kidney Disease

PKD

Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) is an inherited condition where fluid-filled cysts form in the kidneys and gradually replace functional tissue, eventually causing chronic kidney disease.

Breathing & Eye Problems

Brachycephalic Syndrome

Persians are the most brachycephalic (flat-faced) cat breed, and the breeding-driven anatomy that produces the famous Persian face also produces a constellation of breathing and eye problems: stenotic nostrils, elongated soft palate, tear-duct overflow, corneal ulcers, and prominent eyes vulnerable to trauma.

Ragdolls

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

HCM

Ragdolls have a high inherited risk of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM), the most common heart disease in cats.

Scottish Folds

Osteochondrodysplasia

SFOCD

Scottish Fold cats carry an inherited cartilage and bone disorder — Scottish Fold Osteochondrodysplasia (SFOCD) — caused by the same dominant gene mutation that gives them their distinctive folded ears.

Siamese cats

Asthma

Feline asthma is a chronic inflammatory airway disease similar to asthma in humans.

Sphynx cats

Skin Problems

Sphynx cats — the famously 'hairless' breed — produce normal feline skin oils but have no coat to absorb them.

More resources for pet parents

RexVet writes plain-language guides for the conditions, symptoms, medications, and costs you'll face as a pet parent.

Symptoms by Breed

What it means when your specific breed is vomiting, limping, itching, or off food.

Pet Medications A–Z

Common dog & cat medications — what they do, side effects, refills.

Online Vet (Overview)

How a $64.99 video visit works and what we can treat from home.

Online Prescriptions

Same-day Rx, delivery, and local-pharmacy pickup options.

2026 Pet Care Cost Index

What pet care actually costs, by procedure and state.

Pet Insurance Compared

Compare top plans alongside RexVet's flat pricing.

Got a worried pet parent question?

Licensed vets, available 24/7. $64.99 video visits with our 501(c)(3) telehealth — no membership, no insurance required.

Book a video visit