Pet Health: The Most Common Medical Problems in Dogs

Pet Health: The Most Common Medical Problems in Dogs

Dogs suffer from many health problems, which can also affect you as a pet owner. Luckily some health problems are not very expensive to treat. Some common such as skin allergies and ear infections are not life-threatening.  However, they can be quite expensive to treat. If you have a canine friend, it is important to know about these health problems so that you can be on the lookout. Below are the most common health problems in life-threatening that you should know.

  1.     Obesity

Obesity is a fast-growing problem in dogs. The good news is that it is easy to prevent through exercise and diet. Obesity can cause serious health problems such as heart disease, orthopedic issues, and diabetes. It is, therefore, prudent to take your dog for walks to reduce the risk of obesity. A combination of a good exercise program and a low grain diet can be very helpful in curbing obesity and, in turn, joint dysfunction.

  1.     Ear infection

An ear infection is one of the most prevalent health problems in dogs. It makes dogs to scratch their ears and shake their heads. Often the ear will produce discharge and sometimes a bad odor. The ear also becomes itchy and painful. If left untreated, it could lead to serious damage.  You should go to see your vet when you notice an ear infection in your dog. The problem usually goes hand in hand with skin issues and allergies.

  1.     Skin Issues

Most dogs suffer from skin problems. A typical telltale sign of skin issues in dogs include scratching and itching. If your dog develops skin infection, you will notice inflamed, flaky, scaly or red skin.  In some cases, the dogs will experience hair loss. The main cause of skin issues in dogs includes skin infection, parasites, and allergies. If your dog’s skin looks abnormal or scratching or chewing constantly, make sure you see your vet before these health problems worsen. Another common skin problem in dogs is a skin allergy.

  1.     Parasites

Parasites are a common problem for dogs in any corner of the world. They can be internal parasites such as intestinal worms or external parasites such as ticks and fleas. Preventative treatments at this site can help significantly to prevent parasites attacks to your pet. You can reduce and easily discern skin infection and parasites depending on how often you should wash your dog. Therefore, ensure you wash your dog regularly to ensure you do away with the parasites as early as possible.

  1.     Vomiting

A myriad of reasons causes vomiting. Although you do not have to rush your fluffy friends to a vet every time you see your dog vomiting, you should be cautious enough not to ignore the problem.  Throwing up can be a telltale sign of a gastrointestinal blockage, dietary indiscretion, and toxicity. Contact your vet if vomiting persists.

  1.     Diarrhea

The causes of diarrhea and vomiting are quite similar.  In most cases, vomiting may accompany diarrhea. While one case of diarrhea should be a cause for alarm, if the problems continue for long, it can cause dehydration. You should, therefore, seek veterinary help the problem persists or if it accompanies signs of lethargy and vomiting.

  1.     Arthritis

Arthritis is the inflammation of joints in the body. Degenerative Joint Disease or osteoarthritis is one of the most common types of arthritis. It is common in old dogs. It worsens by old injuries or hip dysplasia or other congenital disorders. Always talk to your vet about the treatment option if you suspect your dog has arthritis.

Other common problems in dogs include Dental Disease, shedding, Vigorous scratching, Bladder infection, hot spots, and itching allergies.

Conclusion

Dogs are susceptible to a myriad of health problems that affect threaten their overall health. You should, therefore, seek vet help from a vet who has veterinary anesthesia machines.  every time you suspect your pet is having a problem. Lastly, ensure you take your pet for regular checks to detect problems early and increase its lifespan.

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