Common Medical Conditions in Dogs | Raising a dog is not an easy journey. When it comes to taking care of a dog, many people aren’t sure if they should visit the vet or not. In some cases, your dog may be feeling sick due to an underlying medical condition, disease, or illness. Therefore, it is crucial to educate ourselves about various potential health problems in dogs.
Here is the list of the most common health problems in dogs.
One of the most common illnesses among dogs includes arthritis, also known as osteoarthritis. You may notice that your dog finds it difficult to get onto its feet in the morning or during cold days of the year. As a result, it will become relatively less physically active than earlier. It can further lead to excruciating pain even if your dog does not show any signs and symptoms of this issue. These symptoms can be managed with weight control, regular exercise, and anti-arthritic drugs.
If you have adopted the dog from a vet, animal shelter, or pet accommodation, it is likely to suffer from kennel cough. This health issue is similar to the common cold among humans; hence, your dog may signal similar symptoms. With proper rest and good food and water, its symptoms can be relieved within a few days. However, in severe cases, your vet may prescribe antibiotics to treat kennel cough.
Almost every dog is susceptible to get fleas during its lifetime. However, it can be treated with medication as prescribed by the vet. On the other hand, ticks are a serious illness commonly seen on the east coast of Australia. It can further lead to severe health complications for your dog, such as blood poisoning or even death. Therefore, it is best to seek advice from a vet to find a proper treatment plan for your dog.
Your dog may get broken bones due to a fall from a height or an accident by a car on the road. Despite suffering from this issue, your dog may remain active throughout the day; hence, indicating no symptoms such as pain or discomfort. Therefore, you need to keep an eye for specific signs of broken bones, including lumps, limping, or bones protruding from the dog’s skin.
Just like humans, dogs are likely to develop cancer over time. They can suffer from all types of cancers, including melanoma, prostate cancer, lymphoma, or even breast cancer. However, with surgical procedures, radiations, or chemotherapy, it can be treated. In addition, its early diagnosis can make it easier to treat; therefore, it is best to keep an eye on unusual signs of your body, such as lumps or spots appearing on the dog’s ears, eyes, or skin.
Cataracts can affect the eyesight of your dog. It can develop due to a disease or trauma to the eye. In some cases, it can occur as a birth defect, or a puppy may develop this problem within the first few weeks of its birth.
Since dogs tend to spend a lot of time in the sun, they are likely to catch eye infections due to dirt, dust, or a foreign object buildup in their ear. As a result, its ear can become irritated, leading to an infection. If your dog is pawing at its ears a lot, it can be a sign of ear infection. However, it can be treated with antibiotics prescribed by a vet.
When your dog consumes bad food or undergoes an allergic reaction due to a food item, it may develop diarrhea. In some cases, it can be a sign of an underlying illness.
Heartworm refers to a parasite that can grow within the dog’s heart and lungs while feeding on its blood. Modern vaccines have helped prevent this illness among many dogs across the world. However, if left untreated, it can even kill your dog.
Unfortunately, dogs are likely to get obese, just like humans. In many cases, your dog may be overweight; however, it can go unnoticed by the pet owners. Therefore, you need to see if your dog is developing other health conditions such as kidney disease, heart disease, or arthritis. These problems can indicate obesity within the dog.
If you wish to prevent your dog from getting serious health conditions, consider taking it to a vet for a regular checkup. With early diagnosis, you can save your dog from developing other health complications, leading to its death.
by Maria A Davidson || You can’t buy love, but you can rescue it™ .
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