19/10/2021
Dog Health Issues You Must Know
Dog Health Issues are a common problem, No two dogs are the same. Similarly, no two dog breeds are the same, especially when it comes to their health. Dog health problems range from infections to cancers, and it's up to you as a pet owner to keep your companions happy and healthy by understanding some common dog illnesses. Check out the most common types of dog health problems below, and be sure to take immediate action if you think something serious is wrong with your dog.
Article Overview of Dog Health Issues
The Most Common Dog Health Issues
Comprehensive List Of Dog Illnesses And Diseases
List Of Common Dog Health Issues (Infographic)
Top 10 Health Problems And Solutions (Video)
How To Save On Health Costs
Common Dog Health Issues
Depending on the size of your pup, some health problems are more prevalent than others. For instance, big dogs tend to deal with more joint problems, whereas smaller dogs tend to experience more dental diseases. Each breed is unique, but it’s important to understand which common dog illnesses and health issues could affect your pet.
Here’s a list of the most common health problems with dogs. Click on the link to jump to each issue and learn more about what to look for and how to treat it.
Allergies
Arthritis
Cancer
Dental Disease
Diabetes
Kennel Cough
Obesity
Rabies
Vomiting
Worms
Allergies
What to look for: Dogs can experience different types of allergies and sensitivities, with the most common being food allergies, flea and tick sensitivities, and seasonal allergies (eg, pollen, dust). If your dog is scratching more than usual and appears to have a miserable itch, or perhaps, is constantly coughing or sneezing, he may have allergies.
How to treat: First, determine what the allergen is. However, identifying the allergen can be challenging and requires extensive diagnostic testing by your veterinarian. Keep in mind that allergies can be controlled but not cured. Food allergies, for example, can be controlled by changing your dog's food. Seasonal or environmental allergies can be controlled by administering medications and reducing your dog's exposure to allergens. These medications can have long-term negative side effects on the immune system, so your veterinarian will need to monitor your dog's health during treatment.
Arthritis
What to look for: Arthritis usually, but not always, affects dogs as they age. It is a very common health problem in older pets. Your dog will eventually start to move less and take longer to get up from lying or sitting positions. Your dog may also not want you to touch his sore joints.
How to treat: Unfortunately, arthritis is not curable. However, there are things you can do to make things easier for your pets as they age. Nutrition, physical therapy, and exercise are the three important things you can do to control your dog's arthritis process. A healthy, balanced diet that includes joint health supplements (eg, chondroitin sulfate, glucosamine) maintains good overall health and joint health. Physical therapy, which you can do at home between therapy sessions, can reduce joint pain. Regular walks will help keep your dog at a healthy weight. If your dog's arthritis is really painful, your vet may prescribe medication to ease the symptoms.
Cancer
What to look for: No one wants to think about their dog having cancer. It is especially common in older dogs and is one of the most expensive diseases to treat. Dogs can get many types of cancer, so the list of possible cancer symptoms is incredibly long. Some general symptoms to look out for include lumps, drastic weight loss, and decreased appetite.
How to treat: Early detection gives your dog the best chance of recovery. Surgery can remove the tumor in some cases, depending on the type, location, and aggressiveness of the cancer. Your vet may also recommend chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Also, medications may be prescribed to reduce pain or control other symptoms. See your vet right away if you suspect your dog might have cancer.
Dental disease
What to look for: Dental disease occurs in nearly 80% of dogs by the age of 3. A common type of dental disease in dogs is periodontal disease, which affects the structures that support the teeth, such as the gums. Signs of periodontal disease include difficulty chewing or swallowing, bad breath, and excessive drooling.
How to treat: Once the periodontal disease begins, it is essentially there for life. But it can be controlled to prevent it from getting worse. Regular brushing of teeth at home and veterinary dental cleanings once a year are the best ways to prevent serious dental disease. Your vet can instruct you on how to brush your dog's teeth at home. It is easier than you think!
Diabetes
What to look for: Symptoms of diabetes in dogs include changes in appetite and excessive thirst and urination. Chronic urinary tract infections (UTIs) and cataracts can occur if diabetes is not treated for a long period of time or if it is poorly managed.
How to treat: Like humans, dogs must receive regular insulin injections (up to twice a day) to control diabetes. Oral medications and a high fiber diet can also work to reverse the disease and bring your dog back to a healthy state.
Kennel cough
What to look for: Because kennel cough is a respiratory infection, it can be easily passed from one dog to another when they interact. Look for lethargy, cough, runny nose, and eyes, or loss of appetite as common signs that your dog might have kennel cough.
How to treat: Vaccines can be given regularly to prevent some types of kennel cough. If your dog contracts kennel cough, your vet may treat him with medication to speed up the recovery process. Keep your puppy away from other dogs (especially in public places where the disease can spread quickly) and give him plenty of rest. Once you see signs of recovery, take him on regular walks until your dog is back to himself.
Obesity
What to look for: Almost 60% of dogs are overweight or obese, making obesity a common health problem in dogs. Signs of obesity may seem obvious, but checking weight regularly is important in keeping track of your dog's weight over time. It's important to recognize your dog's weight gain early to give him the best possible chance of returning to a healthy weight.
How to treat: A healthy diet and regular exercise are both necessary when your dog is overweight. A healthy diet will meet your dog's nutritional needs without going overboard on calories. Regular exercise will help your dog burn calories. It is important to recognize the severity of your dog's obesity and adjust your dog's diet and exercise habits accordingly. Too much exercise, or too significant a reduction in food, can cause other problems, so you should consult your vet before making any drastic changes to your dog's diet and exercise routine. Your vet will monitor your dog's progress and help him maintain weight loss.
Rabies of Dog Health Issues
What to look for: Fortunately, rabies is not as common today as it once was due to vaccine development. It is extremely rare for a vaccinated dog to contract rabies. Symptoms of rabies include thick, intense drool and aggressive behavior.
How to treat: prevention is your best option. Begin vaccinating your dog against rabies every year or every 3 years (your vet will inform you when your dog needs a rabies booster shot). You should also monitor your dog's activity to ensure that he is not interacting with rabies-infected animals in the wild. If you suspect that your dog has rabies, call Animal Control immediately and avoid your dog as much as possible.
Vomiting of Dog Health Issues
What to look for: If your dog is vomiting, there can be a number of causes. There are a few things to keep in mind to see if there could be a more serious problem: frequency of vomiting (occasional vs. frequent) duration of vomiting (one day vs. several weeks), the appearance of vomiting (eg, Presence of blood), and other symptoms (eg, lethargy, weight loss). Occasional vomiting is normal and could be due to something your dog ate.
How to treat: Because vomiting in dogs has many causes, always talk to your vet about your dog's vomiting. If vomiting is only occasional, there is probably no need to worry. However, if vomiting is persistent, if there is blood in the vomit, or if your dog has other symptoms, your dog could have a serious health problem that your vet will need to diagnose and treat.
Worms
What to look for: There are several types of worms, such as intestinal worms (roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms) and heartworms. Symptoms may differ depending on the type of worm. For example, roundworms tend to produce a bloated belly. General symptoms of pinworms include weight loss, diarrhea, and lack of energy. A heartworm infection causes symptoms such as decreased appetite, loss of energy, and a mild but persistent cough.
How to treat: For the first few weeks of life, puppies are given a dewormer to kill any intestinal worms that may be there. Deworms are also given to adult dogs with pinworms. Follow up with regular stool checks to make sure all worms are gone. A monthly heartworm preventative is very effective in preventing heartworms.
