The pet care information appearing on Discovery.com is presented in summary form only and is intended to provide general consumer understanding of pet healthcare topics. The information should not be considered complete and should not be used in place of a visit, call or consultation with a veterinarian.

Discovery.com does not make recommendations regarding owners' management of their pets' health or veterinary problems. Discovery.com does not promote or recommend any particular form of veterinary or alternative treatment. People using information accessed through Discovery.com should also research original sources of authority. Information obtained by using Discovery.com is not exhaustive and does not cover all diseases, ailments, physical conditions or their treatment.

Should you have any pet care-related questions, please call or visit your veterinarian or other pet healthcare provider. You should never disregard veterinary advice — or delay in seeking it — because of something you have read on Discovery.com. You should always seek prompt veterinary care for any specific pet health issue.