Although it is very unpleasant for dog owners that their dogs get sick. Despite being unsightly, your dog can suffer from a variety of Health Problems. Although health risks can be minimized by proper care of your dog, there are some Common Dog Health Problems that your dog can develop. They are discussed below.
1. Arthritis
Arthritis is an inflammatory disease of the dog’s joints. This disease is more common in older dogs and can cause pain and stiffness in dogs. This affects the dog’s ability to play sports and exercise normally. One in five dogs will be affected by this disease at some point in their lives. Usually, certain joints like hips, knees, shoulders, and elbows are affected in dogs with this disease.
The symptoms of arthritis are:
- Joints are swollen
- The dog’s normal movement is disrupted
- Difficulty getting up and sitting down
- Screaming when the affected area is touched or moved
It is difficult to tell if your dog is infected with this disease. In the early stages, your dog may be able to hide his pain and discomfort.
2. Ear infections
Ear infections are a common disease in dogs. Dogs of any age can have this disease. However, this disease is more common in long-haired dogs. This disease can usually be caused by dust and dirt entering the dog’s ears. Keeping a dog’s ears clean is a complicated process. So this type of disease can nest in the dog’s ears. The disease can also be caused by bacterial invasion of farm dogs in any humid and warm environment.
Symptoms of ear infection
- Dogs with this disease will itch their ears or rub them against something
- A bad smell may come from the ears
- A strange substance may come out of the ear
- Dogs can’t keep their balance
- Yells when the ear is touched
Although this is a common disease in dogs, it can be treated with proper ear care. So you should take care of your dog’s ears occasionally.
3. Kennel cough
Kennel cough is one of the most Common Dog Health Problems. Even dogs that live in a healthy environment can develop this disease. Unfortunately, this disease is a contagious disease that is easily spread through the air through water containers to other animals. However, although kennel cough sounds like a serious disease, it is the equivalent of a common cold and the risk of death from this disease is very low.
The best way to care for your dog if he has a kennel cough is to give him rest and plenty of good food and water. If your dog has a serious condition, you must consult a veterinarian and prescribe medication or antibiotics accordingly. There are also vaccinations for prevention.
4. Diarrhea
Diarrhea or frequent liquid and loose stools is a prevalent disease in dogs. Although most episodes of diarrhea are not severe, sometimes the diarrheal disease can lead to death. A severe attack of diarrhea can cause your dog to become dehydrated and lead to more serious health risks, including general weakness, exercise intolerance, and even seizures. Prolonged diarrhea can lead to kidney disease, liver disease, and even cancer in your dog.
In most cases, your dog’s diarrhea requires a healthy diet, plenty of water, and plenty of rest. If desired, you can also give your dog food saline as a first aid treatment. However, if your dog’s diarrhea symptoms worsen, you should consult a veterinarian.
5. Fleas
Fleas are a Common Dog Health issue. Every dog is affected by this disease during its life. This parasite can jump from one host to another and your dog can contract the disease by interacting with another infected dog. Dogs suffering from this disease experience severe itching all over their body. Dogs scratch or bite their own body to relieve itching.
Some symptoms of Philis disease in dogs.
- Flea droppings in dog fur
- Fish eggs in dog fur
- Dog scratching and excessive licking of the skin
- Spots on the dog’s skin
Fleas in dogs can usually be easily treated with the proper medication.
6. Cataracts
Cataracts are Common Dog Health Problems and more common in older dogs. This prevents light from reaching the retina causing the dog to be unable to see. In many cases, the dog’s vision can be lost due to this disease. Cataracts usually occur in both eyes. There may be exceptions in some cases.
Symptoms of Cataracts in Dogs
- Along with a whitish blue-gray color in the center of the eye, the dog appears to have vision problems.
- Eye color changes.
- One or more eyes appear cloudy.
- Difficulty seeing in dimly lit areas.
- Reluctance in dog’s regular movements or sports.
- Repeated rubbing of the eyes.
- Could be shaking from side to side due to loss of vision.
Cataracts are not just an aging disease. It can even appear in some cases at the time of birth of the dog or within a few days after delivery.
7. Heartworm
Heartworm is a very serious disease for pets and a Common Dog Health issue. It damages the lungs, heart, and other vital organs. Usually, this disease occurs in dogs and cats. This disease can cause damage to vital organs and even death of the animal.
Dogs in particular are ideal hosts for heartworm. This means heartworm can infect an adult dog and live and reproduce inside the dog. The disease is usually spread by mosquitoes from an infected dog to a healthy dog.
Early symptoms of this disease include occasional cough and excessive fatigue after light physical activity. Later this disease causes your animal to look sickly, have persistent breathing problems, abdominal pain, etc. In such situations, you should approach an experienced vet and take the necessary treatment from him. Heartworm disease can lead to death in dogs without proper treatment. Therefore, efforts should be made to ensure proper treatment of animals affected by heartworm disease.
8. Cancer In Dogs
Cancer is a deadly disease. Just like humans get cancer, dogs are more likely to get cancer as they get older. About 50% of dogs that are 10 years of age or older develop cancer. So, it’s a Common Dog Health issue. Different types of cancer in dogs include lymphoma, melanoma, breast cancer, prostate cancer, and breast cancer. There are also other, more minor types of cancer.
Symptoms of canine cancer are similar to those of humans. Cancers in dogs are usually caught through their health checkup. Dogs with cancer show symptoms such as weight loss, fatigue, and loss of appetite.
Different types of treatments like surgery chemotherapy radiation treatment are effective in curing cancer.
However, like other serious diseases, if cancer is not detected early enough, it is common for your dog to die as a result of this disease. So you should take your dog to the vet for regular health checkups.
9. Dental Diseases
Dental disease is a Common Dog Health Problem. Bad breath is usually caused by dental and gum disease in your dog. So if your dog has bad breath, be aware of his teeth and gum disease. Canine periodontal disease is one of the most common and serious diseases in dogs, affecting 80 percent of dogs over three years of age.
Symptoms of periodontal disease in your dog are:
- Difficulty eating
- Tooth or mouth pawing
- Discharge from the nose
- Puffiness under the eyes
- Bad breath
- Discoloration of the loom is an invisible black spot
- Tooth loss
- Reddened swollen or bleeding gums
- Loss of appetite and weight loss
Among the various types of dental diseases in dogs are Periodontitis, Plaque, Tartar, Gingivitis, Tooth root abscess, Loss of teeth, etc.
Seek veterinary advice immediately if your dog shows any signs of dental disease. The right preventative for dog dental disease can ensure the health of your dog’s teeth. Along with proper daily brushing, your dog needs occasional dental checkups and cleanings from the vet. Although gum disease and dental disease are common in dogs as they get older, you should inculcate the habit of brushing your puppy’s teeth from an early age. Get your teeth cleaned by the vet once a year. Proper care of your dog’s teeth and gums can keep your dog free from such diseases.
10. Obesity
Obesity is a common problem in dogs and cats. About 25 to 40 percent of adult dogs and cats are overweight and obese. It is responsible for various diseases and even shortens the lifespan of dogs. Obesity can make your dog prone to diabetes, diabetes mellitus, and osteoarthritis. Also heart disease kidney disease etc can be caused due to obesity.
Fortunately, you can easily lose weight in your dog. With proper diet and exercise, 95 percent of obesity can be controlled. You can talk to your vet if you think your dog is overweight.
11. Allergies
It is one of the Common Dog Health Problems. Most dog owners may be under the impression that dog allergies can be very complex and allergies can be many. Dogs have the same allergies as humans. Dog allergies include skin allergies, food allergies, and environmental allergies. The most common type of allergy in dogs is skin allergy.
Common symptoms of dog allergies are:
- Itching
- Hives
- Swelling of other parts of the body, including the mouth and lips
- Redness and swelling of the skin
- Diarrhea and vomiting
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- Itching of ears, face, and other parts
- Eye colds and chronic ear infections
- Constant itching and licking in different parts of the body
If you notice any signs of allergy in your dog, you should contact your veterinarian as soon as possible to take the necessary measures. Your vet will usually recommend different types of data and environments to protect your dog from the environment where he or she is prone to allergies.
Some more dog health issues worth mention
- Skin Infections and Hot Spots
- Benign Tumors
- Parasites
- Vomiting
- Gum disease
As the above diseases are common diseases for your dog they can easily affect your dog. So you should give your dog an environment to prevent such diseases. It is never desirable for a dog owner that his dog will contract any disease.
We suggest you take proper care of your dog so that your dog does not get any kind of Common Dog Health Problems. You must follow some rules for this. You should regularly take your dog to the vet for check-ups, Grooming and Teeth Cleaning, ensure your dog has a healthy diet, provide regular exercise and training, and seek medical advice quickly if your dog shows any health-related symptoms.
