All dogs fall victim to illnesses or diseases at one point or another throughout their lives. Regardless of breed, age, and level of healthcare that your dog receives, there are some common health conditions to which they are vulnerable.
As pets are usually unable to communicate how they feel adequately, it is up to their owners and caregivers to detect these conditions. Listed below are six typical dog health conditions, along with their most prominent signs and symptoms.
Table of Contents
Skin Conditions
A dog’s skin is highly susceptible to several abnormalities. These issues can be caused
by allergic reactions, bacteria, injuries, or other underlying health conditions.
They usually cause itching, which results in scratching that could further worsen the condition. Common signs of skin conditions are red, swollen, scaly, and visibly inflamed skin with associated loss of hair around the affected area.
Proper grooming and good quality grooming products can help reduce the incidence of skin issues.
Worm Infestation
Parasites such as worms usually live in dirty and contaminated areas, such as waste,
dirty water, and muddy areas.
As dogs love to stick their faces -sometimes their whole bodies- into these areas, they are especially prone to worm infestation.
Roundworms, tapeworms, hookworms, and whipworms are common parasites that invade a dog’s digestive tract.
Abnormal weight loss, diarrhea, vomiting, reduced appetite, and change in general appearance often indicate worm infestation.
Careful examination of your pet’s stool will usually reveal the presence of these parasites. Deworming medications can be administered monthly as a preventive measure. For more information about how to treat and prevent worms, click here.
Ear Infections
Ear infections can be caused by foreign bodies in the ear, allergies, bacteria, ear mites, or moisture in the ear canal.
The infection can be recurrent and is not dependent on the dog’s type of ears. Common signs are clear or coloured discharge from the ear, swelling of the ear, redness of the ear canal, and a foul odour emanating from the ear.
The dog also exhibits impaired balance, intense ear scratching, and vigorous head shaking. Prolonged infection can cause complications such as rupture of the eardrum, which could lead to hearing loss.
Diarrhea
You can only conclude that your dog has diarrhea after more than three episodes of them passing loose or watery stool.
It can be caused by something as harmless as a change in regular food products. Diarrhea can also occur because of stress, infections, and intestinal worms.
A significant complication of this condition is dehydration, which could cause fatal health issues if not properly treated.
Diarrhea accompanied by vomiting and the presence of blood can be related to food poisoning.
Urinary Tract Infections
Apart from behavioural issues like separation anxiety, urinary tract infections are common
causes of dogs’ urine accidents.
Other associated signs are increased frequency of urination, increased water intake, and fatigue.
The presence of blood, pus, or other forms of discharge in the urine can indicate conditions such as diabetes or kidney disease.
Hence, frequent accidents should not be taken lightly, and dogs should be taken to the vet for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Obesity
The significant factors that cause a dog to become overweight are excessive eating, lack of or inadequate physical activity, and an unbalanced diet.
Dogs that are obese are highly susceptible to diseases that affect the heart, blood vessels, liver, and other major organs in their bodies.
Overweight dogs are usually plagued with difficulty in breathing, activity intolerance, and a decrease in energy.
Reduce the risk of obesity by feeding your dog a balanced diet, structured nutrition, and adequate physical activity.
Dog owners should be highly observant to detect these conditions at their early stages. Be
sure to take your dog to the veterinary doctor whenever they start exhibiting unusual behaviours.
When caught early, most of these conditions can be quickly resolved, and lasting effects can be prevented.
