Imagine when you’re returning home after leaving a dog for a while, and see them coming near you just to take you. They sit in front of you, wagging tails with cute looks, wishing you to carry them.
But every day it may not be the same.
Sometimes, they may ignore you even after seeing you. Not want to walk, just prefer to sleep and have no energy to go near their favorite food. Seeing this may feel uncomfortable to you if you’re actually a pet lover.
Although no owner wants to see their pet going through this condition, but, unexpected health conditions could make it difficult for your furry friend and your family.
That’s why it’s crucial to understand the common health issues in dogs with their symptoms and causes by every pet owner right there. Since, dog health conditions are common, but the important thing is how we react to the issue and care for them.
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Why it’s important to know these common health issues in dogs
Every owner wants to see their pets wagging their furry tail in joy. Even with the best efforts, there are some health issues that are beyond our control.
Some stubborn diseases completely ruin all the efforts of a pet parent. No matter what’s your pet’s age or breed, a small infection brings lots of trouble for both of you.
That’s why it’s important to educate ourselves about the disease, and how they affect your lovely pets.
Not only this, but educating yourself helps to detect the early stage of illness and with it, you can move forward with the treatment. Spotting symptoms early will ensure a quick recovery and give a long and healthy life. With so, your financial burden is also relieved at some level.
Here are some common health issues in dogs that we owners must know before they become fatal.
Obesity
If a dog suffers from high body fat, it could seriously impact their health, welfare, and quality of their life. This common health issue is faced by thousands of dogs around the world.
When there are no proper schedules and measures for feeding a nutritional diet to the dogs, it can be the real cause for this issue, potentially increasing the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, and more.
Not only these but complications from cardio-respiratory disorders, hormone problems, skin issues, and even early death could happen.
That’s why providing a balanced and portion-controlled diet ensures a healthy life. Also, adding regular playing sessions and exercise for their weight management.
Dental disease
Like humans, dogs also suffer from periodontal diseases and it’s common in every breed who consumes sugary food in their lifestyle.
This happens when the bacteria in plaque and tartar build-up in the teeth, leading to gum infection, tooth loss, and even systemic health issues. This will cause bad breathing and chewing difficulty to swollen and bleeding gums.
Since, it’s a serious problem and many owners tend to ignore it, but avoiding these problems is crucial. You can add on regular brushing sessions with pet-safe toothpaste for gun-free teeth. Also, many brands have come up with dental chews and toys, specially designed for reducing tartar and promoting dental health.
If a problem has already been faced, it’s recommended to schedule professional dental cleanings with reliable vets.
Skin problem
There is a myth that Itching is caused due to irregular or infrequent baths, which is sometimes true, but actually, itching is caused by other dangerous skin problems.
Issues such as allergies, bacterial infection, and parasite infestations are more responsible for causing skin infection in a dog’s body and causing discomfort and other complications.
Maintaining good hygiene with proper shampooing, rinsing, and regular brushing can prevent potential skin issues. It will clear the germs and pests from entering the pet’s body, ensuring a healthy coat.
But sometimes, skin problems are caused by the negative reaction of the body with shampoo. This happens when you use human shampoo in the dog’s body, causing skin irritation and allergies.
If you see any red and inflamed skin, hair loss, and sores, or if your pet has persistent itching and scratching, it is recommended to ask the vet for medical consideration. Late reactions might badly affect the pet’s health.
Ear infection
Another common yet overlooked issue is ear infections.
Every dog could go with this problem, but most of the time, breeds with floppy or hairy ears get highly infected.
Also, there is no specific cause of this problem, but trapped moisture inside dog ears is a common cause of ear infections.
If trapped moisture stays for longer, it will provide a favorable place for bacteria to spread up, resulting in foul smells, redness, and swelling in the ear canal.
That’s why experts recommend drying ears thoroughly after a bath and cleaning them with a vet-approved solution for ear health.
Arthritis
Arthritis concerns joint inflammation, commonly affecting senior dogs. Aging causes stiffness, and pain, which directly impacts their mobility ability, and affects their quality of life.
It’s better to maintain their body weight with their age to reduce joint stress and provide joint supplements like glucosamine and chondroitin.
You can consult with a vet about pain management and therapies.
Gastrointestinal issues
Gastrointestinal issues mean a stomach or intestines disorder, or other digestive problems in the pet.
Some owners have a habit of sharing their food with their pets. And why not when those cute eyes ask for it. But there are some foods that they shouldn’t be fed.
These unsafe foods must be avoided and focus on feeding a consistent, high-quality diet.
Several issues such as vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and dehydration, fall under this category, resulting in appetite loss.
If these issues last for more than 24 hours, it’s better to consult with a vet as soon as possible.
Urinary Tract Infections
Urinary Tract Infection, aka UTIs, is a common issue in dogs, especially in females. It occurs when a bacteria invades the bladder or urinary tract. This problem causes pain and frequent urination, evading the body’s immune system and causing infection.
Frequent, small amounts of urination and foul-smelling urine are the most common signs of UTI, which potentially risk bladder stones, urinary incontinence, kidney disease, and even cancer.
That’s why ensure your dog has access to clean water at all times.
Conclusion
Dog issues are common. It depends upon how we deal with the issues and how we care for them regularly.
Healthy life depends on various things such as nutrition, lifestyle, and even environmental surroundings.
By understanding common health issues in dogs, recognizing symptoms early, and taking preventative measures, you can give your dog a fulfilling and comfortable life. You can also add regular vet consultations, a balanced diet, and consistent care for a healthy life.
