Taking good care of your canine companion’s health is fundamental when you adopt it as a pet. It includes regular vet checkups, healthy nutrition, and exercise. However, you also need comprehensive knowledge about common ailments to prevent any issue from worsening.
Read along to learn about the 5 common dog health issues in addition to their symptom and treatments.
- Skin Problems/Itching
Itching and scratching are common skin problems that many dogs face. Dogs scratch daily, but some itching results from food allergies.
- Symptoms:
The common symptoms of skin problems include inflamed and flaky skin, redness, bald patches, and hypersensitivity.
- Treatment:
In this situation, seek professional care from a veterinarian and get your dog checked for food allergies. You can also use medicated creams and tablets to subside scratching and swelling.
- Ear Infections
According to Nancy Bernard of Dog Walker San Francisco “About 20% of dogs suffer from various ear issues/infections. Canine breeds with droopy ears like Basset hounds and Cocker spaniels are at greater risk of developing such issues. Most of the time, yeasts, ear mites, bacteria, and excessive hair growth in the inner canal cause it.”
- Symptoms:
Common symptoms of ear problems include head shaking, vigorous scratching, smelly ears, swollen outer ear, and brown/yellow/bloody discharge from the ears.
- Treatment:
Take your doggy to the veterinarian clinic for an ear examination. In case of a minor infection, medication will remove the infection. However, surgical removal is compulsory in case of chronic contagion.
- Vomiting or Diarrhea
Like humans, canines can also have an intestinal upset for a few days. However, if such an upset shows repetition, observe closely because persistent diarrhea or vomiting may be underlying health problems like gastroenteritis, gastritis, intestinal parasites, kidney failure, food poisoning, etc.
- Treatment:
The treatment will depend on your dog’s needs. It may involve fluid therapy for balancing the nutrients and overcoming dehydration from vomiting and diarrhea.
- Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)
Mainly, bacterial infections cause UTIs and bring pain to your canine companion.
- Symptoms:
Common symptoms of urinary infections include inflammation, pain while urinating, frequent urinating, losing bladder control, and blood in the urine.
- Treatment:
Your dog may have an UTI or other underlying conditions like diabetes and kidney diseases, so visit a vet and have the urine checked for any health issues. The treatment is medication in most cases. However, surgery may be essential in the worst-case scenario.
- Parasites
Parasites are a common problem among dogs, and your dog has to deal with them at some point in their life. Some parasites appear externally, like fleas and ticks, and others harm your pup internally, like heartworms and intestinal worms.
- Symptoms:
Symptoms of fleas and ticks include scratching, licking/biting the skin, inflammation, flea dirt, and even hair loss. On the other hand, indicators of internal parasites include a decrease in energy, loss of appetite, cough, and changes in the stool.
- Treatment:
Consult your vet for the treatment and educate yourself on canine parasites. Taking monthly preventive measures works like magic and prevents the situation from worsening.
Conclusion:
We can conclude that four-legged companions need extra attention to their health. For this purpose, you should pay close regard to your dog’s behavior and beware of sudden changes. In this way, you can help it live a healthier and longer life.
