MOST COMMON HEALTH PROBLEMS OF DOGS
HOW TO PREVENT YOUR DOG FROM MOST COMMON HEALTH PROBLEMS?
Awareness is the first stage!
In this article, we pay great attention to most common health problems, that may occur to your dog. 6 most common problems will be stated, so you can make yourself more aware and understand what is happening with your furry friend's health. Basic tips how to prevent this problems are shared, however, must be consulted with your vet before taking any actions. Remember, we all want our dog to be happy and healthy!
MOST COMMON HEALTH PROBLEMS OF DOGS
1. EAR INFECTION
Moistness and debris can become trapped in the ear channel, building up the ideal atmosphere for bacterial and yeast infections. Most sicknesses are in the outer ear, causing aggravation, bothering and desolation, and if these aren't managed, more severe infections in the middle and internal ear can occur, inciting balance issues, loss of movement and possibly even deafness.
Signs:
● scratching their ears or shaking their head
● additional signs can be red skin in the ear channel or foul smell
Treatment: Veterinary meds consolidate ear drops, capable cleaning of the ear channel, ejection of foreign bodies or superfluous hair, remedies to treat sicknesses achieved by yeast, microorganisms or vermin and therapy of any hypersensitivities or affliction.
Prevention: Owners can help prevent ear illnesses by regularly checking their pet's ears & safely them clean, totally drying ears after swimming or shower and having standard vet checks.
2. WORMS
Intestinal worms can appear in dogs with various types including roundworms, heart-worms tapeworms, whipworms and hookworms. Dog usually may be born with them, ingest them via fleas or get them through environment.
Signs:
● symptoms of intestinal worms can include vomiting, diarrhoea, weight loss, anaemia and a dry coat
● heart-worms cause coughing
Treatment: Worming prevention medication according to dog's age, weight and where they live is essential. Veterinary guidance is fundamental to choose the correct product. If the effects of having intestinal worms show at your dog, veterinary consideration is needed to take a stool sample and decide the best treatment to exterminate these parasites. Treatment for heart-worm is dangerous, so prevention is crutial.
3. SKIN PROBLEMS
Skin issues are ordinary for dogs and can cause pain, discomfort, and itchiness.
Signs:
● frequent biting, licking, or scratching, hair loss, bald patches, red and inflamed skin, thickened skin
● unusual lesions of different size and colouring, lumps or swelling, sores, ulceration, flaky or crusty skin, unpleasant odour or obvious parasites
Treatment: The best preventative treatments are to use regular flea protection and keep the pet’s environment clean.
Also, regularly apply pet sunscreen on exposed pink areas of skin (such as on the nose and ears), regular vet visits to treat any underlying causes, such as parasites, allergies, infections or other diseases and seek advice about a high-quality diet to support healthy skin.
4. VOMITING
Vomiting may be caused by various problems such as gastrointestinal - viral or bacterial infections, dietary change or food allergy, pancreatitis or because of ingestion of unfamiliar object. Another, more severe issues may be caused by other organs (liver, endocrine, neurological disease) as well as a 22side effect of medication.
Signs:
● Abdominal contractions
● Retching and forceful expulsion of the stomach contents, which usually have a yellow appearance due to the presence of bile
Treatment: If your dog has vomited three times within a 24- hour period or for longer than 24 hours - visit your vet. Also seek vet if other symptoms are present (lethargy, loss of appetite, diarrhoea, blood in the vomit, weakness, weight loss or any other changes).
If your dog is ok afterwards, observe him and remove food for a few hours, ensure access to fresh water as dehydration may become a serious problem. You must seek immediate veterinary attention for puppies, elderly dogs and small breeds. Specific treatment is required, depending on the cause of the vomiting and the situation. Some treatments will involve supportive care (e.g., fluids, pain relief, anti-nausea medication), or antibiotics or other medications, dietary adjustment or surgery to remove any intestinal obstruction.
5. OBESITY
Many owners overfeed their pets as a way of showing love and don’t recognise obesity (15% over their optimal weight) for what it is, which is a serious condition that predisposes to a range of diseases and problems. Research has shown that at least half of these owners underestimate the weight of their obese dog. Obesity is associated with diseases of the heart, liver and urinary tract, arthritis, diabetes, cancer, cruciate ligament rupture, increased surgical risk, and a reduced lifespan and quality of life.
Signs:
● fat around the stomach, tail base, neck and back
● lack of a waistline and stomach tuck
● loss of mobility, no interest in exercise or play
● constant panting and strained breathing when performing simple activities
Treatment: Owners can prevent obesity by regular vet checks and ensuring their pets are not eating in excess of their energy needs. Treatment for obesity will involve a weight loss program through a specially designed diet and monthly weigh-ins, meal plan reviews and exercise.
6. DENTAL DISEASE
Dogs accumulate bacteria, debris and plaque on the outside of their teeth, which over time forms tartar and eventually causes gingivitis and even tooth loss.This progressive destruction of gums, teeth and the structures that hold teeth in place is called ‘periodontal disease’ and is a very common disease of adult dogs and cats.
In advanced cases, it can also lead to damage of the vital organs due to bacteria entering the bloodstream through the inflamed and compromised tissues. Dogs and cats can also damage their teeth; fractures are common and can often be caused by chewing on hard objects or trauma.
In addition, cats also often suffer from a condition called Feline resorptive lesions (FRLs), with more than 70% of cats over five years estimated to have at least one FRL. These lesions are erosions of the tooth, and are very painful. If FRLs are not treated the erosion of the tooth continues and the crown of the tooth eventually fractures off.
Signs:
● pain and inflammation in the mouth
● a reluctance to eat and drink
● abnormalities in the teeth and gums drooling,
● difficulty swallowing, pawing at the face or changes to eating patterns or weight
Treatment: It is vital that your pet has regular dental checks with their veterinarian and cleaning under general anaesthesia when recommended. This will allow the removal of plaque and calculus, polishing of the teeth, and a comprehensive oral examination that includes inspecting under the gums. Any problems identified can be then be treated appropriately. Unfortunately feline resorptive lesions can only be treated by removal of the tooth but this is important to address this painful condition; the cat will feel a lot better without the eroded and painful tooth. The treatment for a fractured tooth depends on the tooth affected and the fracture itself. Your vet will be able to advise you on the best treatment.
2. MENTAL
ANXIETY
Just like humans, dogs experience anxiety. While unpleasant, it is a normal and also healthy emotion. Dog anxiety can affect all breeds, but may affect each individual dog differently. Although it is something that all dogs experience from time-totime, if disproportionate levels of anxiety are left unchecked, a dog can develop an anxiety disorder. If left untreated, dog anxiety can lead to behavioural and other issues. Some of the most common causes of dog anxiety are: fear, separation& ageing.
STRESS
Dogs employ body language and warning signs to communicate to humans that they are stressed. Growling, barking, and pacing are all signs that something may be stressing your dog out.Dog owners should learn to identify dog triggers and warning signals to help prevent future stress. The best way to calm your dog down is to identify what is stressing them, then eliminate the trigger. Alternatively, work with a professional trainer or your veterinarian to reduce their response to the trigger.
SLEEP DISORDER
Dogs sleep between 12 to 14 hours a day, and if they don't get the right amount of shut-eye, they definitely don't feel their best. Dogs with sleep disorders might whine, cry, or frequently wake up during the night, become more sluggish during the day, or seem more disoriented when performing normal tasks. Because sleep deprivation can cause a buildup of stress hormones, dogs with sleep disorders may also become more aggressive or develop other behavioural problems. In addition, a lack of sleep can weaken a dog’s immune system, increasing the risk of infection.
OTHER COMMON HEALTH PROBLEMS OF DOGS
1. PHYSICAL
OSTEOARTHRITIS
Osteoarthritis ("Arthrosis") is one of the most common joint diseases and occurs in animals of all ages and breeds. It is a disease process that is a result of an excessive wear and tear of the joint. This process starts with damage to the cartilage and later also leads to changes in the bone, joint capsule and surrounding soft tissue. Although Osteoarthritis is classified as noninflammatory according to the textbooks, it is always associated with a mild permanent inflammation. In principle, Osteoarthritis is divided into two forms, the primary and the secondary. Primary Osteoarthritis usually occurs at an advanced age and its cause is largely unknown. Secondary Osteoarthritis on the other hand, is the result of an underlying disease of the joint. These include diseases that lead to unequal load distribution (e.g. joint dysplasia), cause instability (e.g. anterior cruciate ligament rupture), trigger inflammation (e.g. infections) or result in undue strain (e.g. overweight).
DECREASED MOBILITY
If your dog is ok afterwards, observe him and remove food for a few hours, ensure access to fresh water as dehydration may become a serious problem. You must seek immediate veterinary attention for puppies, elderly dogs and small breeds. Specific treatment is required, depending on the cause of the vomiting and the situation. Some treatments will involve supportive care (e.g., fluids, pain relief, anti-nausea medication), or antibiotics or other medications, dietary adjustment or surgery to remove any intestinal obstruction.
Signs and symptoms:
● Walking slower or limping
● Struggling to sit and stand
● Slipping when getting up or walking around
● Exhibiting pain or stiffness
● Shifting weight on to front or back legs
● Favoring a limbHesitating to engage in previously normal activities
● Showing trouble jumping and climbing
AGILITY+
Agility+ supports your dog’s body optimally in coping with pain and inflammation. Furthermore Agility+ reduces joint degeneration and promotes cartilage regeneration through the daily amount of glucosamine, chondroitin and Methylsulfonylmethane contained in the snacks. Because of this, Agility+ also replaces existing joint supplements, making expensive product combinations unnecessary and thus saving you money. By supporting the body to relieve pain, intervene in the inflammatory process and slow down cartilage degradation, a vicious circle is broken. This manifests itself in more mobility and a greatly recovered quality of life for your dog.
RELAX+
The natural ingredients of the Relax+ formula have been carefully selected by a team of Swiss veterinarians, Czech pharmacologists and German food technologists based on independent scientific information. Particular care was taken in the selection of the medicinal plants contained in the Relax+ Snack to ensure that they act via various pathways and thus support the dogs holistically. The associated huge development effort has been very worthwhile. Due to this well thought-out product development Relax+ optimally supports your dog in stressful situations, reduces anxiety and increases the general well-being without making him sleepy. In addition, Relax+ can also support your dog in overcoming nervousness, depression and psychotic states with its natural formula of various mood-lifting and anxiety-relieving medicinal plants.
FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS
Dogs are very similar to us humans in terms of health problems, yet not being able to tell us when something goes wrong. That is why regular vet appointments may help your dog's health. Remember to observe your dog's body language and do not ignore any signs.
BE THE HERO YOUR DOG KNOWS YOU ARE!