Cost of disease and burden of disease studies are two important non-comparative study types in veterinary health economics. While sometimes treated as interchangeable, they differ in focus and scope. Cost of disease studies estimate the economic impact of diseases, either at the individual (per-case) or population level. In contrast, burden of disease studies adopts a broader perspective, quantifying the overall effect of diseases on animal populations by considering both frequency and outcomes, including economic, health-related, social, and environmental aspects. An example of a per-case cost of disease study in dairy cattle identified displaced abomasum as the costliest condition, followed by mastitis and lameness. However, a burden of disease study ranked mastitis higher due to its greater incidence, highlighting how disease frequency influences total burden. The Global Burden of Animal Diseases program is a major international initiative aiming to systematically assess the burden of animal diseases, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. By providing a comprehensive understanding of disease-related impacts, such studies support evidence-based decisions, helping prioritize diseases, guide policy, and justify investments in control or eradication efforts.