# PetSenseAI - full reference
Source: https://petsenseai.com | Updated: 1970-01-01

## Definition
PetSenseAI is an iPhone-first pet health app that turns your phone camera into a home triage tool for dogs, cats and the other pets in its species registry, including rabbits, guinea pigs, birds, reptiles and ferrets. Guided capture modes photograph the eyes, ears, teeth, skin, coat, wounds, stool, body condition and gait; guided scan modes, each with a species-appropriate analysis prompt running on a general-purpose vision AI model, return findings with model-reported confidence scores and an urgency ranking, then generate a vet-ready PDF report you can share in one tap. It is a monitoring and triage tool, not a diagnosis, it has not been clinically validated and publishes no accuracy figure, and it always escalates medium and high urgency findings to a licensed veterinarian.

## Capabilities
### Guided camera scans
Eleven specialist scan modes (eyes, ears, teeth, bite, skin, coat, wound, stool, weight/body condition, gait, behavior) with a real-time framing overlay and sharpness/lighting quality scoring so the photo is usable before it is analysed.
### AI analysis with urgency ranking
Each scan returns findings with confidence scores, a low/medium/high urgency ranking, a plain-English explanation, and a personalised care plan with monitoring steps and red flags.
### Streamed preliminary triage
A preliminary read appears within seconds of capture while the full clinical assessment finishes in the background; the result page updates itself when the full analysis lands.
### Vet-ready PDF reports
A labelled evidence pack with pet profile, timestamped photos, findings, model-reported confidence scores, urgency and care plan. Shareable via an expiring private link, email or SMS - your vet needs no account.
### Health timeline & comparisons
Every scan is stored on a timeline with trend charts, side-by-side scan comparison, symptom severity graphs and AI highlights of what improved or worsened.
### Ask PetSense chat
Ask direct questions about your pet with full scan history as context, in your preferred tone (empathetic, balanced or technical).
### Behavior video analysis
PetSense Plus records short videos to analyse mobility, gait asymmetry, anxiety patterns, seizure-like activity and respiratory rate.
### Emergency mode
Offline emergency profile card, ER checklists, toxicity lookup for foods and products, and a location-based vet/ER finder.
### Reminders & adherence
Medication, supplement and nutrition reminders with missed-dose detection, adherence streaks and weight check-ins.
### The Pack community
A moderated community where guardians share pet profiles, ask for recommendations and follow each other's care journeys.

## Pricing (USD)
### Companion - $10/month or $100/year
Covers: 1 pet
- 30 AI scans per month
- 150 Ask PetSense messages per month ($5 top-up for 50 more)
- Vet-ready PDF reports, health timeline, The Pack community
### Family - $15/month or $150/year
Covers: Up to 3 pets, then $5 per additional pet per month
- 90 AI scans / month
- 400 Ask PetSense messages per month
- Full insights, trend charts and priority reports
### PetSense Plus - $29/month or $290/year
Covers: Unlimited pets
- Unlimited scans and unlimited Ask PetSense chat
- Behavior video analysis (mobility, anxiety, seizure, respiratory)
- Emergency profile, insurance-ready PDFs, auto-email reports to your vet
- Priority access when licensed vet consults launch

## Boundaries and safety
- PetSenseAI does not diagnose, treat or cure disease and is not a replacement for a licensed veterinarian.
- PetSenseAI has not been clinically validated and publishes no accuracy percentage; confidence scores are model-reported, not verified outcomes.
- PetSenseAI is not a medical device and holds no regulatory clearance or compliance certification (no HIPAA, SOC 2 or ISO claim of its own).
- Content is not reviewed by a veterinarian; no veterinarian-client-patient relationship is created by using the app.
- Medium and high urgency findings always route the guardian to a vet visit.
- Scans are available for dogs, cats and the other pets in the species registry, including rabbits, guinea pigs, birds, reptiles and ferrets, with species-appropriate guidance; care guides exist for rabbit, guinea pig, bird, reptile and ferret.
- Photos, scans and reports are encrypted in transit and at rest; guardians can export or delete all data from Settings.
- Models are not trained on identifying user data without explicit opt-in.

## Questions and answers
### Q: Is PetSenseAI a replacement for my vet?
A: No - and by design. PetSenseAI is a home triage and monitoring tool. It flags what to watch, drafts a care plan, and prepares a report your vet can act on. For anything ranked medium or high urgency the app tells you to book a visit.
Source: https://petsenseai.com/faq

### Q: How accurate are the scans?
A: We don't publish an accuracy figure, because we haven't run the independent clinical validation that would justify one. PetSenseAI runs eleven guided scan modes, each with a purpose-built analysis prompt on a general-purpose vision AI model, tuned to be conservative. Every finding shows a confidence score generated by the model, and when it isn't sure it says so and recommends a rescan or a vet visit instead of guessing. Treat results as a prompt to observe or to call your vet - never as a diagnosis.
Source: https://petsenseai.com/faq

### Q: What does the vet report export actually contain?
A: A labelled PDF evidence pack: cover page with your pet's profile, the original photos with timestamps and region tags, findings with confidence scores, an urgency ranking, and the suggested care plan. Your vet can open it from a share link or the emailed PDF - no account required on their side.
Source: https://petsenseai.com/faq

### Q: How do I share a report with my vet?
A: From any completed scan, tap Share. You can send a private link that expires in 30 days and records each view, or email the PDF directly. A native vet console for receiving reports is planned, not yet released.
Source: https://petsenseai.com/faq

### Q: Which pets and conditions are supported?
A: Scans are available for dogs, cats and the other pets in the species registry, including rabbits, guinea pigs, birds, reptiles and ferrets, with species-appropriate guidance. The guided scan modes cover eyes, ears, teeth, skin, coat, gait, weight, stool, wounds, bite marks, and behavioural cues, and care guides exist for rabbit, guinea pig, bird, reptile and ferret. Guidance always ends with a licensed vet when hands-on care is needed.
Source: https://petsenseai.com/faq

### Q: What phones does it work on?
A: It runs in the browser on any modern iPhone or Android phone, using the device's own camera stack - no extra hardware. Gait and body-condition scans work from standard video and photos today; deeper sensor integrations such as LiDAR depth and high-frame-rate capture are planned for the native iOS build and are not shipped yet.
Source: https://petsenseai.com/faq

### Q: Where is my pet's data stored?
A: Photos, scans and reports are stored encrypted in transit and at rest with our cloud provider, and every table is protected by row-level security so records are readable only by their owner. We hold no compliance certification of our own and make no HIPAA or SOC 2 claim - HIPAA does not apply to pet health data. You own your data: export or delete everything from Settings at any time, and we never train shared models on identifying information without opt-in.
Source: https://petsenseai.com/faq

### Q: What is behavior video scanning and which plan includes it?
A: Behavior video scanning is included with PetSense Plus ($29/month). You record a 10-20 second clip on your phone and the app turns the movement into measurements across four modes: mobility (stride asymmetry and weight shift), respiratory (estimated breaths per minute and how regular the rhythm is), anxiety (pacing and tremor intensity), and seizure (burst pattern and the longest sustained episode in the clip). The readings appear on your pet's health timeline and inside the vet-ready PDF. They describe what the video shows for you and your vet to interpret - they are not a diagnosis. Suspected seizures or breathing difficulty are emergencies: call a vet immediately rather than recording.
Source: https://petsenseai.com/faq

### Q: Can I cancel or get a refund?
A: Yes - cancel from Settings in one tap and you keep access through the end of your billing period. For refund requests, contact support and we'll review them case by case under the Terms of Service.
Source: https://petsenseai.com/faq

### Q: Why are my dog's eyes red, watery, or swollen?
A: Redness, cloudy discharge, squinting, or a swollen eyelid in a dog most commonly signals conjunctivitis, a corneal scratch, dry eye, or an allergic flare - all of which need a same-week vet visit. If your dog is holding the eye shut, pawing at it, or the pupil looks cloudy or blue-tinted, treat it as urgent and go today: corneal ulcers can perforate within 24–48 hours.
Source: https://petsenseai.com/symptoms/dog-eye-infection

### Q: Can a dog eye infection heal on its own?
A: Mild allergic irritation can resolve in 24–48 hours once the trigger is gone. True bacterial conjunctivitis and any corneal injury will not - they need prescription eye drops. If you see thick discharge, squinting, or no improvement within a day, book a vet.
Source: https://petsenseai.com/symptoms/dog-eye-infection

### Q: What can I put in my dog's eye at home?
A: Only sterile saline (the same 0.9% solution sold for contact lenses, preservative-free) to flush away debris. Skip human drops, breast milk, tea bags, or leftover antibiotics - they can mask damage or worsen an ulcer.
Source: https://petsenseai.com/symptoms/dog-eye-infection

### Q: Is my dog's eye infection contagious to other pets or to me?
A: Some bacterial and viral causes spread between dogs sharing bowls or bedding. Kennel cough complex and canine herpesvirus are examples. Human infection is rare but wash your hands after any eye care.
Source: https://petsenseai.com/symptoms/dog-eye-infection

### Q: How much does a vet visit for an eye infection cost?
A: A general-practice visit with a fluorescein stain to check for ulcers and a course of drops typically runs $150–$300 in the US. Referral to a veterinary ophthalmologist for a non-healing ulcer can be $400–$900.
Source: https://petsenseai.com/symptoms/dog-eye-infection

### Q: How do I take a good photo of my dog's eye for the vet?
A: Use natural window light, no flash. Hold your phone 20–30 cm away and tap the eye on the screen so the camera focuses there. Take one wide shot of the face and one close-up. PetSenseAI's eye scan mode walks you through this and flags focus problems in real time.
Source: https://petsenseai.com/symptoms/dog-eye-infection

### Q: What causes eye discharge and squinting in cats?
A: The vast majority of eye discharge and squinting in cats is caused by feline herpesvirus, chlamydia-driven conjunctivitis, or a corneal scratch - especially in kittens and multi-cat households. A cat that is holding an eye shut, has a visibly cloudy cornea, or has a swollen third eyelid needs a vet within 24 hours because feline corneal ulcers deteriorate fast.
Source: https://petsenseai.com/symptoms/cat-eye-discharge

### Q: Why does my cat have a brown crust in the corner of its eye?
A: Normal cat tears oxidise into a rusty-brown crust and are usually harmless - especially in flat-faced breeds like Persians. It only needs a vet if the crust is thick yellow-green, if the eye is squinty, or if it appears suddenly in a previously clear eye.
Source: https://petsenseai.com/symptoms/cat-eye-discharge

### Q: Can I use human saline to clean my cat's eye?
A: Yes - preservative-free 0.9% sterile saline (the contact-lens rinse type) is safe to flush debris. Warm it slightly in your hand first. Avoid contact-lens cleaning solutions, tap water, and any medicated drops.
Source: https://petsenseai.com/symptoms/cat-eye-discharge

### Q: Is feline herpesvirus contagious to my other cats or to me?
A: FHV-1 spreads between cats through sneezing, shared bowls, and grooming, and most cats carry it for life once infected. It does not infect humans or dogs - it is species-specific.
Source: https://petsenseai.com/symptoms/cat-eye-discharge

### Q: When is squinting an emergency in a cat?
A: Treat it as urgent if the eye is fully shut for more than a few hours, the cornea looks cloudy, the pupil is a different size to the other, or the eye follows a bite wound. Feline ulcers can perforate within 48 hours.
Source: https://petsenseai.com/symptoms/cat-eye-discharge

### Q: How do I know if my dog has dental disease?
A: Persistent bad breath, brown or yellow tartar along the gum line, red or bleeding gums, and dropping food while eating are the classic signs of canine periodontal disease. By age three, over 80% of dogs already have stage 1 or 2 disease, and untreated dental infection is linked to heart, kidney, and liver damage - so a photo check every month and a professional cleaning under anaesthetic every 12–18 months is the standard of care.
Source: https://petsenseai.com/symptoms/dog-dental-disease

### Q: Can I remove tartar from my dog's teeth at home?
A: You can slow new plaque with daily brushing and dental chews, but hardened tartar below the gum line can only be removed with ultrasonic scaling under anaesthesia. Home scrapers risk fracturing enamel and leaving bacteria behind the gum where it does the real damage.
Source: https://petsenseai.com/symptoms/dog-dental-disease

### Q: How much does a dog dental cleaning cost?
A: A routine cleaning under anaesthesia with pre-op bloodwork and dental x-rays typically costs $400–$900 in the US. Cleanings that include extractions can run $800–$2,500 depending on the number of teeth and complexity.
Source: https://petsenseai.com/symptoms/dog-dental-disease

### Q: Is bad breath in dogs always dental?
A: About 80% of the time, yes. But sweet or fruity breath can signal diabetes, ammonia-like breath can point to kidney disease, and rotten breath with mouth ulcers can mean liver disease. A dental check that finds a healthy mouth should trigger bloodwork.
Source: https://petsenseai.com/symptoms/dog-dental-disease

### Q: Do dental treats really work?
A: The ones stamped with the VOHC (Veterinary Oral Health Council) seal have proven plaque-reduction data. They are supplementary - no chew replaces brushing or a professional cleaning, but they meaningfully slow tartar between cleanings.
Source: https://petsenseai.com/symptoms/dog-dental-disease

### Q: Why does my cat have bad breath?
A: Halitosis in cats is most often caused by periodontal disease or feline tooth resorption - a painful condition unique to cats where the tooth structure erodes at the gum line. Sweet or acetone breath can indicate diabetes, ammonia-like breath can indicate kidney disease, and a cat over 10 with sudden bad breath and drooling needs a vet exam this week to rule out oral tumors.
Source: https://petsenseai.com/symptoms/cat-bad-breath

### Q: How often do cats need dental cleanings?
A: Most cats benefit from a professional cleaning under anaesthesia every 12–18 months once dental disease is established. Some breeds - Siamese, Persians, and Maine Coons - need cleanings as often as every 6–9 months because of a stronger genetic tendency to gingivitis and resorption.
Source: https://petsenseai.com/symptoms/cat-bad-breath

### Q: Is anaesthesia-free dental cleaning safe for my cat?
A: No - it can only polish visible tooth crowns and misses the gum-line and root problems that cause real disease. It's also stressful for the cat and prevents dental x-rays that catch resorptive lesions before they hurt.
Source: https://petsenseai.com/symptoms/cat-bad-breath

### Q: Can I use a human toothbrush and toothpaste on my cat?
A: A small soft brush is fine, but never human toothpaste - it contains xylitol or fluoride that cats should not swallow. Use a pet enzymatic paste in a flavor your cat accepts.
Source: https://petsenseai.com/symptoms/cat-bad-breath

### Q: My senior cat has ammonia breath - should I worry?
A: Yes. An ammonia or urine-like odor in an older cat is a classic sign of chronic kidney disease and warrants bloodwork and a urine test this week, alongside a dental check.
Source: https://petsenseai.com/symptoms/cat-bad-breath

### Q: My dog has a bite wound - what should I do?
A: A dog bite wound almost always needs a vet within 24 hours, even when the skin puncture looks small: canine teeth crush and shear tissue underneath, and bacteria from the biter's mouth are pushed deep, so up to 20% of untreated bite wounds become infected or abscess within 3–5 days. Rinse the wound with saline, cover it with a clean cloth, keep your dog calm, and go - do not wait to see if it “settles down.”
Source: https://petsenseai.com/symptoms/dog-bite-wound

### Q: Do all dog bite wounds need antibiotics?
A: Almost all do. Even a small puncture inoculates bacteria under sealed skin where the immune system struggles to reach. A vet will assess whether to prescribe oral antibiotics, place a drain, or debride under sedation depending on depth and location.
Source: https://petsenseai.com/symptoms/dog-bite-wound

### Q: How can I tell if a bite wound is infected?
A: Watch for increasing swelling, heat, redness spreading beyond the wound, foul-smelling discharge, a firm painful lump under the skin (abscess), or your dog becoming lethargic or off food. Any of these means a vet today.
Source: https://petsenseai.com/symptoms/dog-bite-wound

### Q: Should I close a bite wound with skin glue or steri-strips?
A: No. Bite wounds are contaminated by definition and closing them traps infection. A vet will decide whether to leave it open, place a drain, or delayed-close after cleaning under sedation.
Source: https://petsenseai.com/symptoms/dog-bite-wound

### Q: How much does a dog bite wound treatment cost?
A: A simple wound clean, antibiotics, and pain relief typically costs $200–$500 in the US. Wounds needing sedation, drains, or surgical exploration run $600–$2,000. ER visits after hours add roughly $150–$300 on top.
Source: https://petsenseai.com/symptoms/dog-bite-wound

### Q: Why is my dog losing hair in patches?
A: Patchy hair loss in dogs is most often driven by flea allergy dermatitis, environmental allergies (atopy), demodectic or sarcoptic mange, or a hormonal condition like hypothyroidism or Cushing's disease. If the hair loss is symmetric on both sides of the body, is spreading fast, or comes with thickened dark skin and a musty smell, book a vet within the week for skin scrapes and bloodwork.
Source: https://petsenseai.com/symptoms/dog-hair-loss

### Q: Can dog hair loss be caused by stress?
A: Rarely as the sole cause, but stress makes underlying allergies and dermatitis flare. Over-grooming from anxiety usually shows as thinning on the flanks or feet without inflamed skin - a diagnosis of exclusion after allergies, mites, and hormones are ruled out.
Source: https://petsenseai.com/symptoms/dog-hair-loss

### Q: Will my dog's hair grow back after mange or ringworm?
A: Yes in most cases, once the underlying cause is treated. Expect regrowth over 4–8 weeks. Scar tissue from severe secondary infections may leave permanent thin patches.
Source: https://petsenseai.com/symptoms/dog-hair-loss

### Q: Is my dog's hair loss contagious to me?
A: Sarcoptic mange and ringworm can transfer to humans. Demodectic mange, allergies, and hormonal alopecia cannot. Wash hands after handling and cover any skin lesions of your own until the diagnosis is clear.
Source: https://petsenseai.com/symptoms/dog-hair-loss

### Q: What tests will the vet run for hair loss?
A: Typically skin scrapes for mites, a fungal culture or Wood's lamp for ringworm, tape impressions for yeast and bacteria, and - if the loss is symmetric - thyroid and adrenal bloodwork. A biopsy is reserved for cases that don't respond to standard treatment.
Source: https://petsenseai.com/symptoms/dog-hair-loss

### Q: Why does my cat's coat look dull, greasy, or unkempt?
A: Cats spend up to 50% of their waking hours grooming, so a dull, greasy, flaky, or matted coat is almost always a signal that something is stopping normal grooming - most commonly dental pain, arthritis, obesity, hyperthyroidism, or kidney disease. A cat that stops grooming for more than a week, especially if paired with weight loss or increased thirst, warrants a vet visit and baseline bloodwork.
Source: https://petsenseai.com/symptoms/cat-coat-dull

### Q: Should I bathe my cat if their coat is greasy?
A: Most cats do not need baths. A greasy coat is a symptom, not the problem - bathing washes surface oil but the coat becomes greasy again within days unless the underlying cause (arthritis, obesity, hyperthyroidism) is treated. A dry shampoo or wipe-down is acceptable for comfort while you investigate.
Source: https://petsenseai.com/symptoms/cat-coat-dull

### Q: Can diet fix a dull cat coat?
A: Only when diet is the actual cause. A complete AAFCO-balanced diet with adequate omega-3 fatty acids will restore a coat dulled by nutrition in 6–8 weeks. If there is no improvement, the cause is medical - investigate teeth, thyroid, and kidneys.
Source: https://petsenseai.com/symptoms/cat-coat-dull

### Q: My cat has dandruff along its spine - is that normal?
A: It is a strong sign the cat cannot reach that area to groom. In an adult cat, that usually means obesity, arthritis, or pain. Photograph the pattern, weigh the cat, and book a vet check within a few weeks.
Source: https://petsenseai.com/symptoms/cat-coat-dull

### Q: How do I safely remove mats from my cat's fur?
A: Never use scissors - feline skin is paper-thin and tears easily. Use a mat-splitter or blunt-tip clippers, or better, take the cat to a groomer or vet for a sedated de-mat. Prevention with daily brushing is easier than removal.
Source: https://petsenseai.com/symptoms/cat-coat-dull

### Q: Why is my dog so itchy?
A: Persistent itching in a dog is most often driven by flea allergy dermatitis, environmental allergies (atopic dermatitis), food allergy, or a secondary yeast or bacterial skin infection. Rule out fleas first - a single bite can trigger weeks of itch in a sensitised dog - and book a vet if the itch stops your dog sleeping, if the skin is broken or smelly, or if it has lasted more than two weeks.
Source: https://petsenseai.com/symptoms/dog-itchy-skin

### Q: Can I give my dog Benadryl for itching?
A: Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) helps fewer than 30% of allergic dogs and can cause sedation, dry mouth, or paradoxical excitement. Modern targeted therapies - Apoquel, Cytopoint, or a well-run diet trial - outperform it by a wide margin. Ask a vet before dosing.
Source: https://petsenseai.com/symptoms/dog-itchy-skin

### Q: How long does a food allergy diet trial take?
A: A proper hydrolysed-protein or novel-protein diet trial runs 8 weeks with no other treats, chews, or table scraps. Shorter trials or diets that still contain the trigger protein are the number-one reason food-allergy diagnosis fails.
Source: https://petsenseai.com/symptoms/dog-itchy-skin

### Q: Is my dog's itch contagious to other pets or to me?
A: Fleas and sarcoptic mange are contagious to other pets, and sarcoptic mange can briefly cause an itchy rash in humans. Atopic and food allergies are not contagious.
Source: https://petsenseai.com/symptoms/dog-itchy-skin

### Q: When should I see a vet about itch?
A: See a vet if the itch has lasted more than two weeks, the skin is broken or infected, ears are red or smelly, sleep is disrupted, or over-the-counter measures have failed. Chronic itch damages the skin barrier and gets progressively harder to control.
Source: https://petsenseai.com/symptoms/dog-itchy-skin

### Q: Dog symptom checker: emergency triage guide
A: Use this triage guide to sort your dog's symptoms into three buckets: emergency (go to an ER now), same-day (call your vet today), or monitor at home for 24-48 hours. Go immediately for difficulty breathing, collapse, a bloated hard belly with unproductive retching, seizures lasting over two minutes, suspected poisoning, uncontrolled bleeding, or straining to urinate without producing urine. Anything painful, rapidly worsening, or lasting more than 48 hours needs a vet the same week - when in doubt, scan and call.
Source: https://petsenseai.com/symptoms/emergency-triage-guide

### Q: How do I know if my dog's symptoms are an emergency?
A: Treat it as an emergency if your dog has difficulty breathing, pale or blue gums, collapse, a seizure over two minutes, a hard bloated belly with unproductive retching, uncontrolled bleeding, straining to urinate without producing urine, or any suspected poisoning. These conditions worsen within hours, so go to a 24-hour clinic immediately rather than waiting for an appointment.
Source: https://petsenseai.com/symptoms/emergency-triage-guide

### Q: Is an online dog symptom checker accurate?
A: A symptom checker is a triage tool, not a diagnosis. PetSenseAI analyses your photos, videos, and history to tell you how urgent the situation looks and what to capture for your vet, but only a licensed veterinarian can examine, test, and treat your dog.
Source: https://petsenseai.com/symptoms/emergency-triage-guide

### Q: What are the most common dog emergencies?
A: The most frequent true emergencies are toxin ingestion, GDV/bloat, trauma from vehicles or dog fights, breathing difficulty, heatstroke, urinary obstruction, and seizures. Together these account for the majority of after-hours emergency visits.
Source: https://petsenseai.com/symptoms/emergency-triage-guide

### Q: What counts as pale gums in a dog?
A: Healthy gums are bubblegum pink and refill within two seconds after you press them. White, grey, blue, or brick-red gums, or a refill slower than two seconds, indicate shock, poor oxygenation, or blood loss and need immediate veterinary care.
Source: https://petsenseai.com/symptoms/emergency-triage-guide

### Q: Should I make my dog vomit after eating something toxic?
A: No - not unless a veterinarian or a pet poison control line instructs you to. Inducing vomiting is dangerous with caustic substances, petroleum products, or in a dog that is already weak, seizing, or struggling to breathe.
Source: https://petsenseai.com/symptoms/emergency-triage-guide

### Q: My dog seems fine after being hit by a car. Do I still need a vet?
A: Yes. Internal bleeding, diaphragmatic tears, and bladder rupture can take hours to show symptoms. Any vehicle impact warrants a same-day veterinary exam even if your dog is walking and alert.
Source: https://petsenseai.com/symptoms/emergency-triage-guide

### Q: How much does an emergency vet visit cost?
A: In the US, after-hours emergency exams typically start around $100-$200 before diagnostics or treatment, and hospitalisation for something like bloat can run into the thousands. Call ahead so the clinic can prepare and give you an estimate.
Source: https://petsenseai.com/symptoms/emergency-triage-guide

## Symptom guides in detail
### Why are my dog's eyes red, watery, or swollen?
URL: https://petsenseai.com/symptoms/dog-eye-infection
Species: dog | Area: Eye | Condition: Canine conjunctivitis

Redness, cloudy discharge, squinting, or a swollen eyelid in a dog most commonly signals conjunctivitis, a corneal scratch, dry eye, or an allergic flare - all of which need a same-week vet visit. If your dog is holding the eye shut, pawing at it, or the pupil looks cloudy or blue-tinted, treat it as urgent and go today: corneal ulcers can perforate within 24–48 hours.

Urgent signs (see a vet today):
- Eye held completely shut for more than a few hours
- Cloudy, blue, or hazy appearance to the cornea
- Visible object, blood, or bulging of the eyeball
- Sudden yellow-green thick discharge in both eyes
- Loss of vision - bumping into things

Signs to monitor:
- Mild pink tinge with clear watery tears
- Occasional squinting after a walk in dusty conditions
- One-off crust in the corner cleared with a warm cloth

Likely causes:
- Conjunctivitis: Bacterial, viral, or allergic inflammation of the pink tissue around the eye. Most common cause of redness with discharge.
- Corneal ulcer or scratch: Often from a bramble, a rough play session, or a foreign body. Painful - dogs squint hard and paw the face.
- Dry eye (KCS): The tear glands under-produce. You'll see thick sticky mucus and a dull-looking surface. Common in Cavaliers, Shih Tzus, Bulldogs.
- Allergic irritation: Pollen, dust, or a new shampoo. Usually both eyes, watery, and paired with face rubbing or itchy paws.
- Cherry eye or entropion: A structural problem - a red mass in the corner (cherry eye) or lashes rolling inward. Needs veterinary correction.

Safe home care:
- Wipe discharge gently with a cotton pad and lukewarm saline - never tap water inside the eye
- Fit an e-collar or soft recovery cone if your dog is pawing the eye
- Rinse the coat around the eye and remove any obvious debris
- Keep the dog out of dusty, windy, and chlorinated environments until a vet has seen it
- Do not use human eye drops, leftover antibiotic ointment, or steroid drops - steroids on an unnoticed ulcer can perforate the cornea

What to photograph:
- One straight-on photo of both eyes, natural light, no flash
- One close-up of the affected eye - fill the frame
- Pull the lower lid gently down and photograph the pink inner rim
- A 5-second video of your dog blinking naturally

### What causes eye discharge and squinting in cats?
URL: https://petsenseai.com/symptoms/cat-eye-discharge
Species: cat | Area: Eye | Condition: Feline conjunctivitis

The vast majority of eye discharge and squinting in cats is caused by feline herpesvirus, chlamydia-driven conjunctivitis, or a corneal scratch - especially in kittens and multi-cat households. A cat that is holding an eye shut, has a visibly cloudy cornea, or has a swollen third eyelid needs a vet within 24 hours because feline corneal ulcers deteriorate fast.

Urgent signs (see a vet today):
- Eye held shut or a visibly bulging third eyelid
- Cloudy, dull, or blue-tinged cornea
- Thick yellow-green discharge in both eyes plus sneezing and lethargy
- Any eye trauma from a cat fight or a scratch

Signs to monitor:
- Small brown tear stains in the corner of one eye
- Occasional clear watery tearing after grooming
- Mild squint that resolves within a few hours

Likely causes:
- Feline herpesvirus (FHV-1): The number-one cause of feline eye disease. Recurs during stress. Often paired with sneezing.
- Chlamydia felis conjunctivitis: Bacterial cause common in kittens and shelters. Very red pink tissue, sticky discharge, one eye first.
- Corneal ulcer: Cat fight scratches or self-trauma from face-rubbing. Painful - cats squint hard and hide.
- Blocked tear duct: Common in Persians and flat-faced breeds. Chronic clear tearing and rust-colored stains, no pain.

Safe home care:
- Wipe discharge with a warm damp cotton pad, one pad per eye to avoid cross-contamination
- Reduce stress - feeding schedule, quiet room, Feliway diffuser - because herpesvirus flares with stress
- Isolate from other cats until diagnosed if multiple cats are affected
- Never use dog eye drops or human antibiotic drops without a vet's direction

What to photograph:
- Straight-on photo of both eyes with natural light
- Close-up of the affected eye - get the third eyelid in frame
- Photo of any nasal discharge if present
- 5-second video showing blinking rate

### How do I know if my dog has dental disease?
URL: https://petsenseai.com/symptoms/dog-dental-disease
Species: dog | Area: Mouth | Condition: Canine periodontal disease

Persistent bad breath, brown or yellow tartar along the gum line, red or bleeding gums, and dropping food while eating are the classic signs of canine periodontal disease. By age three, over 80% of dogs already have stage 1 or 2 disease, and untreated dental infection is linked to heart, kidney, and liver damage - so a photo check every month and a professional cleaning under anaesthetic every 12–18 months is the standard of care.

Urgent signs (see a vet today):
- A lump, swelling, or draining sore on the muzzle below an eye - often a tooth root abscess
- Bleeding gums with reluctance to eat for more than 24 hours
- Chattering jaw or pawing at the mouth in obvious pain
- A fractured tooth with a pink or dark centre visible

Signs to monitor:
- Mild plaque along the back teeth
- Slightly stronger breath after wet food
- Occasional tartar you can chip off with a nail

Likely causes:
- Plaque and tartar accumulation: Plaque hardens into tartar within 72 hours. Small breeds, brachycephalics, and dogs on soft-only diets are highest risk.
- Gingivitis (stage 1): Red inflamed gum margin, reversible with cleaning and daily brushing.
- Periodontitis (stages 2–4): Bone loss around the tooth root, gum recession, mobility. Not reversible - requires professional cleaning and often extractions.
- Tooth root abscess: Bacteria track up the root, often causing a swelling under the eye. Extraction or root canal required.
- Fractured tooth: Common with antler and bone chews. Exposes the nerve - always painful, always needs treatment.

Safe home care:
- Brush daily with a pet-safe enzymatic toothpaste - never human toothpaste (xylitol is toxic)
- Add a VOHC-accepted dental chew or water additive
- Swap bones and antlers for softer dental chews to prevent slab fractures
- Book an annual oral exam; most stage-2+ disease can only be seen on dental x-rays under anaesthesia

What to photograph:
- Gently lift the lip on each side and photograph the upper premolars and molars
- One photo of the front incisors and canines with mouth relaxed
- One photo of the inside of the lower jaw with tongue lifted if your dog tolerates it
- Note any tooth that looks grey or fractured

### Why does my cat have bad breath?
URL: https://petsenseai.com/symptoms/cat-bad-breath
Species: cat | Area: Mouth | Condition: Feline halitosis

Halitosis in cats is most often caused by periodontal disease or feline tooth resorption - a painful condition unique to cats where the tooth structure erodes at the gum line. Sweet or acetone breath can indicate diabetes, ammonia-like breath can indicate kidney disease, and a cat over 10 with sudden bad breath and drooling needs a vet exam this week to rule out oral tumors.

Urgent signs (see a vet today):
- Drooling, especially blood-tinged saliva
- Weight loss with reluctance to eat kibble
- A visible mass, ulcer, or missing tooth crown with red tissue
- Sweet, fruity, or ammonia-like odor

Signs to monitor:
- Slight fishy odor after wet food
- Small amount of tartar on the back teeth
- Pink gum margin without bleeding

Likely causes:
- Periodontal disease: Tartar, gingivitis, and gum recession. The single most common cause across all ages.
- Tooth resorption: The tooth dissolves from the inside. Affects up to 60% of cats over 6. Extraction is the only fix.
- Stomatitis: Severe inflammation of the whole mouth lining. Immune-driven, often requires full-mouth extractions.
- Kidney disease: Uraemia produces an ammonia-like breath. Common in senior cats.
- Oral tumor: Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common feline oral cancer. Bad breath, drooling, and a facial lump in an older cat is the classic combination.

Safe home care:
- Introduce daily tooth brushing with a fingerbrush and enzymatic feline paste
- Add a VOHC-accepted dental treat or water additive
- Weigh your cat monthly on a baby scale - losses over 5% warrant a check
- Book an oral exam plus bloodwork if your cat is over 10 and the breath has changed suddenly

What to photograph:
- Lift the lip on each side and photograph the back molars
- Photograph the small teeth just behind the canines - resorption starts here
- Note whether one side of the face looks swollen
- Weigh your cat and record it - steady weight loss is a strong dental clue

### My dog has a bite wound - what should I do?
URL: https://petsenseai.com/symptoms/dog-bite-wound
Species: dog | Area: Skin | Condition: Traumatic bite wound

A dog bite wound almost always needs a vet within 24 hours, even when the skin puncture looks small: canine teeth crush and shear tissue underneath, and bacteria from the biter's mouth are pushed deep, so up to 20% of untreated bite wounds become infected or abscess within 3–5 days. Rinse the wound with saline, cover it with a clean cloth, keep your dog calm, and go - do not wait to see if it “settles down.”

Urgent signs (see a vet today):
- Any puncture wound over the chest, abdomen, throat, or joint
- Bleeding that does not slow after 5 minutes of gentle pressure
- Wound larger than 1 cm or with visible fat, muscle, or bone
- Your dog is lethargic, pale-gummed, or breathing fast - possible internal injury
- The biting animal is unknown or unvaccinated - rabies exposure risk

Signs to monitor:
- Superficial scrape with no puncture, edges clean and dry within an hour
- Small bruise from a scuffle with no broken skin

Likely causes:
- Dog-on-dog bite: Most common. Neck, face, and flank punctures are typical - always deeper than they look.
- Cat bite: Very high infection rate because narrow teeth inject bacteria and skin seals over it. Nearly always abscesses without antibiotics.
- Wildlife bite: Raccoons, foxes, skunks, bats - treat as a rabies-risk exposure until proven otherwise. Immediate vet visit and public-health report.
- Snake bite: Rapid swelling, two puncture marks, bruising. Life-threatening - go to an ER, do not apply tourniquets or ice.

Safe home care:
- Muzzle if the dog is in pain - even the sweetest dog can bite when hurt
- Rinse the wound gently with sterile saline or clean lukewarm water for 2–3 minutes
- Cover with a clean gauze pad and light bandage - no cotton wool directly on the wound
- Do not apply hydrogen peroxide, iodine tinctures, or human antibiotic ointment before the vet sees it - they damage tissue and interfere with cultures
- Fit an e-collar to stop licking

What to photograph:
- Photograph the wound before you clean it - the vet needs to see the depth and any bruising pattern
- Photograph a wide shot showing the wound's location on the body
- Photograph any swelling around the wound over the next 48 hours to track infection
- Record what animal caused the bite, its vaccination status if known, and the time

### Why is my dog losing hair in patches?
URL: https://petsenseai.com/symptoms/dog-hair-loss
Species: dog | Area: Skin | Condition: Canine alopecia

Patchy hair loss in dogs is most often driven by flea allergy dermatitis, environmental allergies (atopy), demodectic or sarcoptic mange, or a hormonal condition like hypothyroidism or Cushing's disease. If the hair loss is symmetric on both sides of the body, is spreading fast, or comes with thickened dark skin and a musty smell, book a vet within the week for skin scrapes and bloodwork.

Urgent signs (see a vet today):
- Rapidly spreading bald patches with crusts and pus
- Symmetric hair loss on both flanks with a pot-belly and increased thirst (possible Cushing's)
- Intense itch that stops your dog from sleeping
- Ring-shaped crusty patches in a puppy or an immunocompromised human household member (ringworm)

Signs to monitor:
- Seasonal mild thinning during a coat blow in spring/autumn
- Slight thinning at pressure points (elbows, hocks) on hard flooring

Likely causes:
- Flea allergy dermatitis: Number-one cause. Hair loss at the base of the tail, thighs, and belly. Even one bite triggers it in sensitised dogs.
- Atopy (environmental allergy): Face, paws, ears, armpits, groin. Chronic licking of paws is a giveaway.
- Demodectic mange: Puppy or immunocompromised adult. Bald patches around the eyes and lips. Not contagious.
- Sarcoptic mange (scabies): Intensely itchy, ear tips, elbows, belly. Highly contagious to other dogs and briefly to humans.
- Ringworm: Fungal, not a worm. Ring-shaped crusts. Contagious to people and cats.
- Hormonal (hypothyroid, Cushing's): Middle-aged and older dogs. Symmetric truncal loss, no itch, dull coat, skin changes color.

Safe home care:
- Verify flea control is current for every pet in the home and treat the environment
- Bathe with a gentle oatmeal or chlorhexidine shampoo if your vet has ruled out mange
- Photograph patches weekly with a coin for scale - an objective baseline helps the vet track response to treatment
- Wash bedding weekly at 60°C to reduce mite and fungal load

What to photograph:
- Wide shot of the whole dog from both sides for pattern
- Close-up of one representative bald patch with a coin next to it for scale
- Part the hair at the edge of the patch and photograph the skin surface
- Photograph the belly, groin, and under the tail - flea allergy always shows there

### Why does my cat's coat look dull, greasy, or unkempt?
URL: https://petsenseai.com/symptoms/cat-coat-dull
Species: cat | Area: Skin | Condition: Feline poor coat quality

Cats spend up to 50% of their waking hours grooming, so a dull, greasy, flaky, or matted coat is almost always a signal that something is stopping normal grooming - most commonly dental pain, arthritis, obesity, hyperthyroidism, or kidney disease. A cat that stops grooming for more than a week, especially if paired with weight loss or increased thirst, warrants a vet visit and baseline bloodwork.

Urgent signs (see a vet today):
- Matted coat plus weight loss and increased thirst (kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, diabetes)
- Sudden greasy coat in a senior cat that used to groom meticulously
- Bald patches with crusts or scabs
- Yellow-tinged skin visible where you part the coat (jaundice)

Signs to monitor:
- Slightly dull coat during a heavy shed
- One or two small mats behind the ears in a long-haired cat

Likely causes:
- Dental or oral pain: Cats stop grooming when licking hurts. Check for tartar, red gums, or drooling.
- Arthritis: Common in cats over 10. They can't twist to groom the lower back and tail base - the first place mats appear.
- Obesity: Overweight cats physically cannot reach the lumbar area. Greasy dandruff along the spine is classic.
- Hyperthyroidism: Weight loss, big appetite, matted or greasy coat, restless behavior in senior cats.
- Chronic kidney disease: Dehydration and nausea reduce grooming. Coat becomes dull and dandruffy.
- Diet or parasite issues: Poor-quality diet, fleas, or an intestinal parasite load can all dull a coat within weeks.

Safe home care:
- Groom daily with a soft slicker brush focused on the lumbar area and tail base
- Never shave mats out at home with scissors - the skin underneath tears easily; a groomer or vet uses clippers
- Move food and water to a low, easy-to-reach spot for a senior or arthritic cat
- Book a vet visit with bloodwork (including T4) if a previously fastidious cat has changed grooming habits

What to photograph:
- Wide shot of the whole cat from both sides
- Photograph the base of the tail, lower back, and behind the shoulders - the areas cats can't reach when arthritic or overweight
- Part the hair on the flank and photograph the skin
- Weigh the cat and record a body condition score

### Why is my dog so itchy?
URL: https://petsenseai.com/symptoms/dog-itchy-skin
Species: dog | Area: Skin | Condition: Canine pruritus

Persistent itching in a dog is most often driven by flea allergy dermatitis, environmental allergies (atopic dermatitis), food allergy, or a secondary yeast or bacterial skin infection. Rule out fleas first - a single bite can trigger weeks of itch in a sensitised dog - and book a vet if the itch stops your dog sleeping, if the skin is broken or smelly, or if it has lasted more than two weeks.

Urgent signs (see a vet today):
- Broken skin, open sores, or hot spots that appeared within hours
- Skin that smells musty or sweet - usually a yeast overgrowth needing prescription treatment
- Sudden face or muzzle swelling with the itch - possible acute allergic reaction
- Itch severe enough to stop your dog eating or sleeping

Signs to monitor:
- Occasional scratch after a bath or a walk in grass
- Mild seasonal paw licking that resolves overnight

Likely causes:
- Flea allergy dermatitis: The single most common cause. Itch focused on the tail base, thighs, and belly, even when you can't see fleas.
- Atopy (environmental allergies): Pollen, mold, dust mite. Face, paws, ears, armpits. Often seasonal at first, year-round later.
- Food allergy: About 10–15% of allergic dogs. Year-round itch, often with recurring ear infections and GI signs. Diagnosed with an 8-week diet trial.
- Yeast dermatitis: Malassezia overgrowth. Musty smell, greasy skin, brown-black waxy ears.
- Sarcoptic mange: Intense unrelenting itch, ear tips, elbows, belly. Highly contagious - needs specific treatment.
- Contact dermatitis: A new shampoo, cleaning product, or lawn chemical. Itch on hairless contact areas (belly, groin, armpits).

Safe home care:
- Confirm every pet in the household is on a modern isoxazoline flea preventive (year-round)
- Wipe paws and belly with a damp cloth after every walk during allergy season
- Bathe weekly with a gentle oatmeal or chlorhexidine shampoo - leave lather on for 10 minutes before rinsing
- Do not use over-the-counter steroid creams or Benadryl without a vet's direction - they can mask infection and rarely control true atopy
- Add a veterinary omega-3 fatty acid supplement for skin barrier support

What to photograph:
- Photograph all four paws, especially between the toes
- Photograph the belly, armpits, and groin
- Part the coat over the lower back and photograph the skin surface
- Video the dog scratching to time how often per minute

### Dog symptom checker: emergency triage guide
URL: https://petsenseai.com/symptoms/emergency-triage-guide
Species: dog | Area: Whole body | Condition: Canine emergency triage

Use this triage guide to sort your dog's symptoms into three buckets: emergency (go to an ER now), same-day (call your vet today), or monitor at home for 24-48 hours. Go immediately for difficulty breathing, collapse, a bloated hard belly with unproductive retching, seizures lasting over two minutes, suspected poisoning, uncontrolled bleeding, or straining to urinate without producing urine. Anything painful, rapidly worsening, or lasting more than 48 hours needs a vet the same week - when in doubt, scan and call.

Urgent signs (see a vet today):
- Laboured breathing, blue or grey gums, or open-mouth panting at rest
- Collapse, unresponsiveness, or sudden hind-limb weakness
- Distended, hard abdomen with unproductive retching (possible GDV/bloat)
- Seizure lasting over two minutes, or repeated seizures in one day
- Known or suspected toxin: chocolate, xylitol, grapes, raisins, antifreeze, human medication
- Bleeding that does not stop after five minutes of firm pressure
- Straining to urinate with little or no urine produced
- Suspected heatstroke: heavy panting, bright red gums, temperature over 40C / 104F
- Hit by a car, a fall, or a large-dog bite wound - even if your dog seems fine

Signs to monitor:
- One episode of vomiting or soft stool with normal energy and appetite
- Mild limp that improves with rest and full weight-bearing within 24 hours
- Occasional scratching without broken skin, hair loss, or odour
- Slightly reduced appetite for one meal with normal drinking and behaviour
- Mild watery eye or a single sneeze episode with no discharge

Likely causes:
- Respiratory distress: Heart failure, airway obstruction, pneumonia, or collapsing trachea. Blue-grey gums, an extended neck, or elbows held away from the body are always an emergency.
- GDV / bloat: The stomach fills with gas and twists. Deep-chested breeds are at highest risk. Untreated, it is fatal within hours - unproductive retching plus a hard, swollen belly means drive now.
- Toxin ingestion: Chocolate, xylitol, grapes and raisins, lilies, antifreeze, rodenticide, and human medications. Many toxins are treatable if seen before signs develop, so never wait for symptoms.
- Urinary obstruction: Stones or crystals block urine flow. Repeated squatting with nothing produced causes kidney damage and dangerous potassium rises within 24 hours.
- Trauma and internal bleeding: A car impact, a fall, or a bite from a larger dog can cause internal injury with a normal-looking exterior. Pale gums and a fast heart rate are the warning signs.
- Heatstroke: Body temperature climbs faster than a dog can pant it off, especially in flat-faced breeds. Start active cooling with cool - not ice-cold - water while travelling to the clinic.

Safe home care:
- Check gum colour and capillary refill first: press the gum, colour should return within two seconds
- Count breaths per minute at rest - over 35 while sleeping is abnormal
- Remove food and water if you suspect bloat or an obstruction, and do not induce vomiting unless a vet or poison line tells you to
- Apply firm, continuous pressure with a clean cloth to any bleeding wound
- For suspected heatstroke, use cool water on the paws, groin, and belly plus airflow while you travel
- Save your nearest 24-hour ER number and a pet poison helpline in your phone now, before you need them
- Scan your dog and log the timeline so the clinic gets a full history the moment you arrive

What to photograph:
- Lift the lip and photograph the gums - colour is the fastest shock indicator
- A 10-second video of your dog breathing at rest, filmed from the side
- A 10-second video of your dog walking away from and back toward the camera
- Close-up of the affected area (wound, eye, mouth, swelling) filling the frame
- Photo of any packaging your dog may have eaten, including the ingredient list
- Note the time symptoms started and your dog's current weight

## Regional guidance
### United States
URL: https://petsenseai.com/answers/us
Country: US | Display currency: USD

PetSenseAI is built US-first: prices are billed in US dollars, reports use the WSAVA body condition scale your vet already reads, and every medium or high urgency finding routes you to a local clinic or 24/7 emergency hospital.

Emergency numbers:
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: (888) 426-4435 (24/7, a consultation fee applies)
- Pet Poison Helpline: (855) 764-7661 (24/7, per-incident fee)

Vet access:
- Most general practices run weekday daytime hours only; after-hours care moves to a separate 24/7 emergency and specialty hospital, which is usually a different building and a different medical record.
- Emergency hospitals triage on arrival, so a stable pet can wait several hours behind critical cases. Arriving with a PetSenseAI report and timestamped photos gives the triage nurse something concrete to grade.
- Telehealth triage is widely available, but under US rules a remote vet without an existing VCPR can advise, not diagnose or prescribe.

Typical costs:
- General practice exam: roughly $60–$120.
- Emergency hospital exam fee: roughly $150–$250 before diagnostics.
- Basic bloodwork plus imaging at an ER commonly lands between $400 and $1,200.
- Accident-and-illness pet insurance averages roughly $50–$60 per month for dogs and $30–$35 for cats; most policies reimburse against an itemised invoice, and a PetSenseAI report documents onset date, which is what claim adjusters look for.

Seasonal and environmental risks:
- Flea, tick and heartworm prevention is now recommended year-round across most of the country, not just in summer - mild winters have extended tick activity into every month in the South and mid-Atlantic.
- Foxtail grass awns (June–September, worst in the West) burrow into paws, ears and noses; scan between the toes after any off-leash walk in dry grass.
- Hot pavement burns paw pads above roughly 85°F/29°C air temperature. Heatstroke risk peaks July–August, and brachycephalic breeds collapse at far lower thresholds.
- Autumn brings mushroom and acorn ingestion; winter brings ethylene glycol antifreeze and ice-melt salt irritation on paws.
- Xylitol (often labelled 'birch sugar') in US peanut butters, gums and baked goods is acutely toxic to dogs - check the label before sharing anything.

Regulation and data rights:
- US state privacy laws (CPRA in California, TDPSA in Texas, and comparable statutes elsewhere) give you the right to access, correct, delete and port your data. PetSenseAI honours those rights nationwide from Settings → Privacy, regardless of which state you live in.
- PetSenseAI does not sell or share personal information for cross-context behavioural advertising.
- A veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR) is required before a US vet can diagnose or prescribe. PetSenseAI is a monitoring and triage tool, so it never diagnoses or prescribes - it prepares evidence for the vet who holds that relationship.

Q: What should I do in a pet emergency in the United States?
A: Call your nearest 24/7 veterinary emergency hospital and tell them you're on the way - do not wait for a callback. For a suspected poisoning, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 or the Pet Poison Helpline on (855) 764-7661; both are staffed 24/7 and charge a consultation fee. Run a PetSenseAI scan while you travel so the triage nurse gets timestamped photos and a written symptom history the moment you arrive.

Q: How much does PetSenseAI cost in the United States?
A: Companion is $10/month for one pet, Family is $15/month for up to three pets ($5 per additional pet), and PetSense Plus is $29/month for unlimited pets with behaviour video analysis. Billing is in US dollars. A single emergency-room exam fee runs $150–$250, so the app pays for itself if it prevents one unnecessary after-hours trip - or catches one problem early.

Q: Can PetSenseAI be used for a pet insurance claim in the US?
A: Yes, as supporting documentation. The vet-ready PDF includes timestamped photos, the date symptoms were first observed, findings with confidence scores and the care plan - which is exactly the onset evidence US insurers ask for when assessing whether a condition is pre-existing. It supplements your veterinarian's invoice and medical record; it does not replace them.

Q: Does PetSenseAI comply with US state privacy laws?
A: Yes. Access, correction, deletion and portability requests are honoured nationwide from Settings → Privacy, covering CPRA in California, TDPSA in Texas and equivalent statutes in other states. We do not sell personal information or share it for cross-context behavioural advertising, and shared models are never trained on identifying data without explicit opt-in.

### California
URL: https://petsenseai.com/answers/us/ca
Country: US | Subdivision: CA | Display currency: USD

California guardians deal with year-round parasite pressure, foxtails, wildfire smoke and the strongest consumer privacy law in the country. PetSenseAI's California answers cover all four.

Emergency numbers:
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: (888) 426-4435 (24/7, consultation fee applies)
- UC Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital: (530) 752-1393 (24/7 emergency referral, Davis)

Vet access:
- Urban corridors (Bay Area, LA, San Diego) have dense 24/7 emergency coverage, but wait times of three to six hours for stable cases are normal at weekends.
- Rural Central Valley and northern counties can be 60–90 minutes from the nearest overnight hospital - build the drive into your triage decision.
- California vets can practise telemedicine with an established VCPR, which since 2024 may be established remotely under defined conditions.

Typical costs:
- General practice exam in metro California: roughly $85–$150.
- Emergency hospital exam fee: roughly $175–$300 before diagnostics.
- Pet insurance premiums run above the national average in LA and the Bay Area, commonly $55–$80/month for a mixed-breed dog.

Seasonal and environmental risks:
- Foxtails are the signature California hazard, peaking May through September. Check between toes, in ears and around the groin after every dry-grass walk - a foxtail scan mode finding is a same-week vet visit, not a wait-and-see.
- Wildfire smoke (typically August–November) causes coughing, eye irritation and laboured breathing; brachycephalic and senior pets decompensate first. Photograph gum colour if breathing changes.
- Fleas and ticks are active all twelve months in coastal counties - there is no off-season.
- Rattlesnake encounters spike April–October on trails; a suspected bite is an immediate ER trip, not a scan.
- Coastal blue-green algae blooms in warm months are rapidly fatal after a single drink from an affected pond.

Regulation and data rights:
- The California Consumer Privacy Act as amended by CPRA gives you the right to know, delete, correct, port and limit use of your data. PetSenseAI honours all of these from Settings → Privacy, and does not sell or share personal information.
- PetSenseAI does not sell or share personal information for cross-context behavioural advertising.
- A veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR) is required before a US vet can diagnose or prescribe. PetSenseAI is a monitoring and triage tool, so it never diagnoses or prescribes - it prepares evidence for the vet who holds that relationship.

Q: What are the biggest pet health risks in California?
A: Foxtail grass awns from May to September, wildfire smoke exposure from August to November, year-round fleas and ticks in coastal counties, rattlesnake bites on trails from April to October, and blue-green algae in warm standing water. Foxtails and smoke are the two that PetSenseAI scans help most with: use the paw, ear and eye scan modes after dry-grass walks, and photograph gum colour if breathing changes during a smoke event.

Q: Where do I take a pet emergency in California?
A: Call the nearest 24/7 veterinary emergency hospital before you leave - in metro areas expect a three-to-six-hour wait for stable cases at weekends, so a documented symptom history helps triage grade you accurately. UC Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, (530) 752-1393, is the state's major 24/7 referral centre. For poisoning, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435.

Q: What privacy rights do California pet owners have with PetSenseAI?
A: Under CPRA you can request to know, delete, correct and port everything we hold, and limit the use of sensitive information. All of it is self-service from Settings → Privacy - no email, no waiting period. PetSenseAI does not sell personal information or share it for cross-context behavioural advertising, and never trains shared models on identifying data without opt-in.

### Texas
URL: https://petsenseai.com/answers/us/tx
Country: US | Subdivision: TX | Display currency: USD

Texas heat, year-round parasites and long drives to the nearest overnight hospital make early triage worth more here than almost anywhere else in the country.

Emergency numbers:
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: (888) 426-4435 (24/7, consultation fee applies)
- Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital: (979) 845-2351 (24/7 small animal emergency, College Station)

Vet access:
- Houston, Dallas–Fort Worth, Austin and San Antonio have multiple 24/7 emergency hospitals; much of West and South Texas is well over an hour from the nearest one.
- Texas allows telemedicine only within an established VCPR, and since 2024 that relationship can be established remotely in defined circumstances - but a remote vet still cannot prescribe controlled substances or antimicrobials without an in-person exam.
- Mobile and house-call vets are common in the metros and often the fastest route to a same-day exam.

Typical costs:
- General practice exam: roughly $55–$100 - below the national average outside Austin.
- Emergency hospital exam fee: roughly $130–$225 before diagnostics.
- Pet insurance for a mixed-breed dog commonly runs $40–$60/month.

Seasonal and environmental risks:
- Heatstroke is the number one seasonal killer here. From May to September, walk before 8am or after 8pm; pavement at 100°F air temperature can exceed 140°F and burns pads in under a minute.
- Fleas, ticks and heartworm-carrying mosquitoes are active all twelve months - Texas has one of the highest heartworm prevalence rates in the US, so year-round prevention is not optional.
- Fire ant stings cause facial swelling and hives; multiple stings in a small dog warrant a same-day call.
- Snake season runs March through October - copperheads and rattlesnakes account for most bites; a suspected bite is an immediate ER trip.
- Blue-green algae blooms in stock tanks and slow rivers during summer heat can kill within hours of a single drink.

Regulation and data rights:
- The Texas Data Privacy and Security Act gives you the right to access, correct, delete and port your data and to opt out of targeted advertising and profiling. PetSenseAI honours these from Settings → Privacy and does not sell personal information.
- PetSenseAI does not sell or share personal information for cross-context behavioural advertising.
- A veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR) is required before a US vet can diagnose or prescribe. PetSenseAI is a monitoring and triage tool, so it never diagnoses or prescribes - it prepares evidence for the vet who holds that relationship.

Q: How do I tell if my dog has heatstroke in Texas?
A: Look for frantic panting that doesn't settle, thick ropey drool, bright red or muddy gums, wobbling, vomiting or collapse. Move to shade or air conditioning immediately, wet the coat with cool - not ice-cold - water, aim a fan at them and drive to an emergency vet even if they seem to recover. Internal damage from heatstroke often shows up hours later. In Texas summer, treat any dog left in a car, walked on midday pavement or exercised above 90°F as a heatstroke suspect.

Q: Does my Texas pet need year-round parasite prevention?
A: Yes. Texas has one of the highest heartworm prevalence rates in the United States and mild winters keep mosquitoes, fleas and ticks active in every month of the year. Skipping the winter doses is the single most common reason Texas dogs test heartworm-positive. Use PetSenseAI's medication reminders to keep the monthly dose on schedule and the adherence streak visible.

Q: How far is the nearest emergency vet in rural Texas?
A: Outside the major metros it is commonly 60–120 minutes. That drive time is exactly why a documented symptom history matters: run a scan before you leave, share the report link with the hospital so they can prepare, and use the urgency ranking to decide whether the drive is tonight or tomorrow morning. Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital in College Station, (979) 845-2351, runs 24/7 small animal emergency.

### Florida
URL: https://petsenseai.com/answers/us/fl
Country: US | Subdivision: FL | Display currency: USD

Humidity, year-round parasites, toxic toads and hurricane evacuations define pet health in Florida - and all four reward having your pet's records offline and ready.

Emergency numbers:
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: (888) 426-4435 (24/7, consultation fee applies)
- University of Florida Small Animal Hospital: (352) 392-2235 (24/7 emergency, Gainesville)

Vet access:
- Coverage is dense along both coasts and in Orlando; the interior and the Keys are thinner, and hurricane closures can take local clinics offline for days.
- Keep PetSenseAI's offline emergency profile card saved to your phone before hurricane season - evacuation shelters that accept pets typically ask for vaccination records and medication lists at the door.
- Florida permits veterinary telemedicine within an established VCPR that requires an in-person examination.

Typical costs:
- General practice exam: roughly $60–$110.
- Emergency hospital exam fee: roughly $150–$250 before diagnostics.
- Pet insurance runs above average in South Florida, commonly $50–$75/month for a dog.

Seasonal and environmental risks:
- Fleas, ticks, heartworm mosquitoes and intestinal parasites are active twelve months a year - Florida is effectively a permanent parasite season.
- Cane toad (Bufo) poisoning is a genuine Florida emergency: brick-red gums, heavy drooling and disorientation after mouthing a toad. Wipe the gums forward with a wet cloth for ten minutes, do not hose water into the mouth, and drive to the ER.
- Humidity drives chronic yeast and bacterial ear infections and hot spots, especially in floppy-eared and skin-fold breeds - weekly ear and skin scans catch these before they become painful.
- Heatstroke risk runs roughly May through October, and high humidity means panting cools far less effectively than the air temperature alone suggests.
- Hurricane season (June 1 – November 30): keep two weeks of medication, a printed emergency profile and a current photo of your pet with you.

Regulation and data rights:
- The Florida Digital Bill of Rights gives you the right to access, correct, delete and port personal data and to opt out of targeted advertising. PetSenseAI honours these from Settings → Privacy.
- PetSenseAI does not sell or share personal information for cross-context behavioural advertising.
- A veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR) is required before a US vet can diagnose or prescribe. PetSenseAI is a monitoring and triage tool, so it never diagnoses or prescribes - it prepares evidence for the vet who holds that relationship.

Q: My dog licked a toad in Florida - what do I do?
A: Treat it as an emergency. Cane toad toxin causes brick-red gums, profuse drooling, head shaking, disorientation and seizures within minutes. Wipe the gums and tongue from back to front with a wet cloth for about ten minutes - never spray water into the mouth, which can cause aspiration - and drive to the nearest 24/7 emergency hospital while someone calls ahead. Photograph the gums first if you safely can; colour change is one of the fastest severity signals.

Q: Why does my Florida pet keep getting ear and skin infections?
A: Persistent humidity keeps the ear canal and skin folds warm and damp, which is ideal for yeast and bacteria. Floppy-eared breeds, bulldogs and any dog that swims are highest risk. Weekly ear and skin scans track redness, discharge and odour over time, so you can show your vet whether an infection is recurring or never actually cleared - that history changes the treatment plan.

Q: How do I prepare my pet for a Florida hurricane evacuation?
A: Save the PetSenseAI offline emergency profile card to your phone before the season starts - it holds vaccination status, medications, chronic conditions and your vet's contact details without needing a signal. Pack two weeks of medication, a current photo of you with your pet for identification, and confirm which local shelters accept animals. Pet-friendly shelters commonly ask for records at intake.

### New York
URL: https://petsenseai.com/answers/us/ny
Country: US | Subdivision: NY | Display currency: USD

New York pairs the highest veterinary prices in the country with dense apartment living, winter road salt and Northeast tick pressure - a combination where early, documented triage saves the most money.

Emergency numbers:
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: (888) 426-4435 (24/7, consultation fee applies)
- Animal Medical Center, Manhattan: (212) 838-8100 (24/7 emergency and specialty)

Vet access:
- NYC has excellent 24/7 coverage but the highest fees in the country, and weekend ER waits of four hours or more are routine for stable cases.
- Upstate and the North Country can be well over an hour from an overnight hospital, particularly in winter weather.
- New York permits veterinary telemedicine within an established VCPR requiring a prior in-person examination.

Typical costs:
- General practice exam in NYC: roughly $95–$180.
- Emergency hospital exam fee: roughly $200–$350 before diagnostics.
- Pet insurance in NYC commonly runs $60–$90/month for a dog - among the highest in the US.

Seasonal and environmental risks:
- Deer ticks carrying Lyme disease are active any time the ground is above freezing, with peaks in spring and autumn. Check the coat and skin after every park or trail walk.
- Winter road salt and ice-melt chemicals crack and burn paw pads and cause vomiting when licked off - rinse paws after every walk from December to March.
- Apartment living concentrates risks that scans catch early: dental disease from soft diets, weight gain from limited exercise, and stress-related overgrooming in cats.
- Summer heat in the city is amplified by radiant heat from concrete and subway grates; short-nosed breeds overheat far faster than the forecast suggests.
- Spring brings lily exposure in apartments - every part of a true lily is fatally toxic to cats, including pollen brushed off a bouquet.

Regulation and data rights:
- New York's SHIELD Act requires reasonable safeguards for New York residents' private information; PetSenseAI encrypts scans, photos and reports at rest and in transit.
- US state privacy laws (CPRA in California, TDPSA in Texas, and comparable statutes elsewhere) give you the right to access, correct, delete and port your data. PetSenseAI honours those rights nationwide from Settings → Privacy, regardless of which state you live in.
- PetSenseAI does not sell or share personal information for cross-context behavioural advertising.
- A veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR) is required before a US vet can diagnose or prescribe. PetSenseAI is a monitoring and triage tool, so it never diagnoses or prescribes - it prepares evidence for the vet who holds that relationship.

Q: How much does an emergency vet visit cost in New York City?
A: Budget $200–$350 just for the emergency exam fee before any diagnostics, and $800–$2,500 once bloodwork, imaging and overnight care are added. That is why a documented symptom history matters here more than anywhere else: arriving with timestamped photos, an urgency ranking and a written timeline means fewer repeat diagnostics and a faster, cheaper triage decision.

Q: Are ticks a year-round risk in New York?
A: Effectively yes. Deer ticks that carry Lyme disease are active whenever the ground temperature is above freezing, with the sharpest peaks in spring and autumn. Check your dog's coat, ears, armpits and groin after every park or trail walk, and keep prevention going through mild winters. Photograph any attached tick and the bite site before removal so you have a dated record if a rash or lameness develops later.

Q: What indoor hazards should New York apartment pet owners watch for?
A: True lilies are the big one - every part of the plant, including pollen, causes acute kidney failure in cats and there is no safe dose. Beyond that: winter ice-melt salt tracked in on shoes and licked off paws, dental disease from soft diets, weight gain from limited exercise, and stress overgrooming in cats. Weekly teeth, weight and coat scans catch the slow-moving ones before they become expensive.

### Canada
URL: https://petsenseai.com/answers/ca
Country: CA | Display currency: CAD

Canadian guardians face long winters, road salt, wildlife encounters and - outside the major cities - real distance to the nearest overnight hospital. PetSenseAI bills in USD; the Canadian dollar figures below are approximate.

Emergency numbers:
- Pet Poison Helpline: (855) 764-7661 (24/7, serves Canada, per-incident fee in USD)
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: (888) 426-4435 (24/7, accepts Canadian callers)

Vet access:
- Emergency and after-hours hospitals are concentrated in Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Calgary and Ottawa; in rural and northern communities the nearest overnight clinic can be several hours away.
- Canada has a well-documented veterinary shortage - new-client waits of weeks are common, so being able to show a dated symptom history often gets you triaged sooner.
- Veterinary telemedicine rules are set province by province; most provinces require an existing veterinarian-client-patient relationship before remote diagnosis or prescribing.

Typical costs:
- General practice exam: roughly C$85–C$150.
- Emergency hospital exam fee: roughly C$180–C$300 before diagnostics.
- Accident-and-illness insurance commonly runs C$50–C$90/month for a dog.
- PetSenseAI plans in approximate Canadian dollars: Companion about C$14/month, Family about C$21/month, PetSense Plus about C$40/month. You are charged in USD, so your card issuer's exchange rate applies.

Seasonal and environmental risks:
- Winter road salt and de-icer crack paw pads and cause vomiting when licked off; rinse and dry paws after every walk from November to April.
- Ethylene glycol antifreeze is sweet-tasting and lethal in tiny amounts - a suspected lick is an immediate emergency, not a wait-and-see.
- Blacklegged (deer) ticks have expanded across southern Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia and Manitoba; Lyme risk now starts as soon as temperatures rise above about 4°C.
- Spring and autumn bring wildlife encounters - porcupine quills, skunk spray and coyote conflicts. Quills always need veterinary removal; never pull them at home.
- Short daylight hours and indoor winters drive weight gain in dogs and litter-box and urinary issues in cats; monthly weight and body-condition scans catch the drift early.

Regulation and data rights:
- PIPEDA governs how private-sector organisations handle personal information in Canada, and Quebec's Law 25 adds stronger consent, portability and breach-notification duties. PetSenseAI supports access, correction, deletion and export from Settings → Privacy for all Canadian users.
- Veterinary medicine is regulated provincially by colleges such as the CVO, OMVQ and CVBC. PetSenseAI does not practise veterinary medicine: it does not diagnose, prescribe or replace a licensed veterinarian in any province.
- Data is encrypted at rest and in transit; guardians can export or delete everything without contacting support.

Q: How much does PetSenseAI cost in Canada?
A: Companion is about C$14/month, Family about C$21/month and PetSense Plus about C$40/month at current exchange rates. Billing is processed in US dollars ($10, $15 and $29 respectively), so the exact charge depends on your card issuer's rate and any foreign-transaction fee. For comparison, a single Canadian emergency exam fee is typically C$180–C$300 before any tests.

Q: What do I do about winter paw damage and road salt in Canada?
A: Rinse and dry your dog's paws after every winter walk - de-icing salt cracks pads and causes vomiting or drooling when licked off. Use the paw scan mode weekly through the season to track cracking, redness and bleeding between pads; boots or a paw balm before walks prevent most of it. Any suspected antifreeze exposure is a same-hour emergency: ethylene glycol is lethal in very small volumes.

Q: Does PetSenseAI comply with Canadian privacy law?
A: Yes. We operate under PIPEDA and support the stronger consent, portability and deletion rights required by Quebec's Law 25. Scans, photos and reports are encrypted at rest and in transit, you can export or delete everything yourself from Settings → Privacy, and shared models are never trained on identifying data without explicit opt-in.

Q: Can PetSenseAI help with the veterinary shortage in Canada?
A: It cannot get you an appointment, but it changes what happens when you get one. Practices triage by urgency, and a dated PDF with photos, symptom progression and an urgency ranking gives the receptionist something concrete to escalate - far more actionable than 'he seems off'. It also tells you when a problem can safely wait for a routine slot, which keeps the emergency queue for the pets that need it.

### United Kingdom
URL: https://petsenseai.com/answers/uk
Country: GB | Display currency: GBP

UK practices are required to provide 24-hour emergency cover, so out-of-hours care works differently here than in the US - and UK GDPR gives you the strongest data rights of any market we serve.

Emergency numbers:
- Animal PoisonLine: 01202 509000 (24/7 owner-facing triage line, flat per-call fee)
- Your registered practice's out-of-hours number: See your practice answerphone (RCVS rules require 24-hour emergency cover arrangements)

Vet access:
- Under the RCVS Code of Professional Conduct, every practice must make arrangements for 24-hour emergency first aid and pain relief - call your own practice first; their answerphone will direct you to their out-of-hours provider (often Vets Now).
- Out-of-hours consultations carry a significantly higher fee than daytime appointments, typically £100–£250 for the consult alone.
- PDSA, Blue Cross and RSPCA offer means-tested treatment for eligible owners on qualifying benefits, subject to catchment areas.
- UK vets can offer telemedicine, and since 2023 the RCVS permits remote prescribing in defined circumstances - but a physical examination is still expected for most medicines.

Typical costs:
- Daytime consultation: roughly £35–£70.
- Out-of-hours emergency consultation: roughly £100–£250 before diagnostics.
- Lifetime insurance for a dog commonly runs £25–£60/month depending on breed and postcode.
- PetSenseAI plans in approximate pounds: Companion about £8/month, Family about £12/month, PetSense Plus about £23/month. Billing is in USD.

Seasonal and environmental risks:
- Ticks are active from roughly March to October across grassland and woodland, with Lyme risk highest in the South of England and the Scottish Highlands.
- Lungworm (Angiostrongylus vasorum) spreads via slugs and snails and has now been recorded across most of the UK; it can cause fatal bleeding disorders and is preventable with the right monthly wormer.
- Adder bites occur April to September on heathland and coastal paths - sudden painful swelling on the face or leg after a walk is an emergency, not a wait-and-see.
- Autumn brings conkers, acorns and toxic mushrooms; Christmas brings chocolate, raisins, mince pies and grapes - raisin and grape toxicity has no reliable safe dose in dogs.
- Grass seeds through summer lodge between toes and in ears, and alabaster lilies in cut flowers remain the biggest indoor cat hazard.

Regulation and data rights:
- UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018 give you rights of access, rectification, erasure, restriction, portability and objection. PetSenseAI supports all of them self-service from Settings → Privacy, and you can complain to the ICO if you are unhappy with how a request was handled.
- Health data about your pet is not special-category personal data, but the photos and account details attached to it are personal data and are treated accordingly: encrypted at rest and in transit, never sold, never used to train shared models without explicit opt-in.
- Veterinary surgery in the UK is restricted by the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 to RCVS-registered vets. PetSenseAI provides triage information and monitoring only - it does not diagnose, prescribe or perform any act of veterinary surgery.

Q: Who do I call for an out-of-hours vet emergency in the UK?
A: Call your own registered practice first, even at 3am - RCVS rules require every practice to arrange 24-hour emergency cover, and their answerphone will direct you to their out-of-hours provider. For a suspected poisoning, the Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509000 gives owner-facing triage 24/7 for a flat fee and will tell you whether the exposure actually warrants a visit. Run a scan while you wait so you arrive with dated photos and a written timeline.

Q: How much does PetSenseAI cost in pounds?
A: Roughly £8/month for Companion, £12/month for Family and £23/month for PetSense Plus at current exchange rates; you are billed in US dollars ($10, $15 and $29), so your card's rate and any foreign-transaction fee apply. A single UK out-of-hours consultation costs £100–£250 before diagnostics, so avoiding one unnecessary emergency trip covers a year of the app.

Q: What are the main seasonal pet health risks in the UK?
A: Ticks and Lyme disease from March to October, lungworm from slugs and snails year-round and now found across most of the UK, adder bites on heathland from April to September, grass seeds in paws and ears through summer, and chocolate, raisins and mince pies at Christmas. Lilies in cut flowers are the most serious indoor risk to cats - every part of the plant, including pollen, causes fatal kidney failure.

Q: What are my UK GDPR rights over my pet's scan data?
A: You can access, rectify, erase, restrict, port and object to processing, all self-service from Settings → Privacy - no email required and no waiting period. Photos, scans and reports are encrypted at rest and in transit, are never sold, and are never used to train shared models without your explicit opt-in. If you are unhappy with how we handle a request, you can complain to the Information Commissioner's Office.

### Australia
URL: https://petsenseai.com/answers/au
Country: AU | Display currency: AUD

Australia has hazards that exist almost nowhere else - paralysis ticks, snake bites, cane toads and 1080 baits - and a seasonal calendar inverted from the northern hemisphere. Every date below is written for the southern hemisphere.

Emergency numbers:
- Animal Poisons Helpline: 1300 869 738 (Free 24/7 service for Australia and New Zealand)
- Your local after-hours emergency centre: Check your practice answerphone (AEC / SASH / VSS operate 24/7 in most capital cities)

Vet access:
- Capital cities have 24/7 emergency centres such as AEC, SASH and VSS; regional and remote areas often rely on a single practice with an on-call roster, and distances can be very large.
- After-hours consultation fees are substantially higher than daytime, commonly A$150–A$300 before treatment.
- Telemedicine is allowed within an established veterinarian-client-patient relationship; state and territory boards set the detail, and remote prescribing is restricted.

Typical costs:
- Daytime consultation: roughly A$70–A$120.
- After-hours emergency consultation: roughly A$150–A$300 before diagnostics.
- Paralysis tick treatment with antiserum and hospitalisation commonly runs A$1,000–A$5,000 - prevention is dramatically cheaper.
- PetSenseAI plans in approximate Australian dollars: Companion about A$15/month, Family about A$23/month, PetSense Plus about A$44/month. Billing is in USD.

Seasonal and environmental risks:
- Paralysis ticks (Ixodes holocyclus) along the entire east coast peak from spring to autumn (September–March) but occur year-round. Signs are a wobbly back end, a changed or grunting bark, vomiting and laboured breathing - this is a same-hour emergency and searching for the tick must not delay the drive.
- Snake bites (brown, tiger, red-bellied black) peak in the warmer months, September to April. Sudden collapse followed by apparent recovery is classic and deceptive; go straight to an emergency centre.
- Cane toad poisoning across Queensland, northern NSW and the Top End causes brick-red gums and profuse drooling; wipe the gums forward with a wet cloth for ten minutes and drive to the vet.
- Summer heat and bushfire smoke (December–February) drive heatstroke and respiratory distress; brachycephalic breeds are at highest risk and pavement burns pads well before the air feels dangerous.
- 1080 (sodium fluoroacetate) baiting in rural and peri-urban areas is lethal to dogs with no antidote - observe the signage and keep dogs leashed in baited zones.

Regulation and data rights:
- The Privacy Act 1988 and the Australian Privacy Principles govern how your data is handled. PetSenseAI supports access, correction, export and deletion from Settings → Privacy, and you can complain to the OAIC.
- Veterinary practice is regulated state by state through boards such as the Veterinary Practitioners Board of NSW and the Veterinary Practitioners Registration Board of Victoria. PetSenseAI does not diagnose, prescribe, or act as a veterinary surgeon in any state or territory.
- Data is encrypted at rest and in transit; shared models are never trained on identifying data without explicit opt-in.

Q: What are the signs of paralysis tick in a dog in Australia?
A: A wobbly or weak back end, a change in the bark or a grunting voice, vomiting or retching, heavy or noisy breathing, and eventually inability to stand. This is a same-hour emergency along the entire east coast, especially from September to March. Drive to the nearest emergency centre immediately - do not spend time searching the coat for the tick first, and do not offer food or water, because affected dogs cannot swallow safely.

Q: What should I do if my dog is bitten by a snake in Australia?
A: Go straight to the nearest emergency veterinary centre and call ahead so antivenom can be prepared. Keep your dog as still as possible and carry them if you can - movement circulates venom faster. Do not wash the bite site, apply a tourniquet or try to identify the snake by getting closer. Apparent recovery after an initial collapse is a classic and dangerous feature of brown snake envenomation, not a sign the danger has passed.

Q: How much does PetSenseAI cost in Australian dollars?
A: About A$15/month for Companion, A$23/month for Family and A$44/month for PetSense Plus at current exchange rates. Billing is processed in US dollars ($10, $15, $29), so your card issuer's rate and any international transaction fee apply. For context, a single after-hours consultation in Australia is A$150–A$300 before any treatment, and paralysis tick treatment can exceed A$1,000.

Q: Does PetSenseAI use the Australian seasonal calendar?
A: Yes for this page. Every seasonal risk listed here - paralysis tick season from September to March, snake season September to April, summer heat and bushfire smoke from December to February - is written for the southern hemisphere. The clinical scan guidance itself is season-neutral: it reads what your camera actually captures, not what month it is.

Contact: support@petsenseai.com