The pet parents should educate them about common dog health problems to keep your dogs healthy and happy. If left untreated, these dog illnesses can be fatal.
Dog Health Problems
Dogs of all ages like puppies, adults, or seniors especially at the puppyhood stage caught some common dog health problems and illnesses. It is a part of life for every dog but the owners must be knowledgeable about these health issues that can cause serious sickness. The dog owners know very well that the first 12 months are the growing periods for their cute puppies. Therefore, they have to monitor and check their health regularly.
You can not know how common these dog diseases are in actuality because a survey in 2022 shows that veterinary services are the second major problem after pet food. According to this survey, the dogs are involved in many conditions related to their health such as eye, ear, and skin issues.
Regular vet check-ups can help reduce the risk of dog health problems. Early inspection of any dog illnesses can cure them before they become a serious problem. All pet owners try their best to keep their dogs healthy and happy by providing them with better exercise, training, and the best dog food. Unfortunately, with a lot of care, they eventually become sick because some health issues are common in all dogs.
List of Common Dog Health Problems
Pet parents understand these dog diseases and health problems and take preventive measures accordingly. That’s why we made a list of the most common dog health problems and illnesses, which can help you overcome these conditions.
1- Dog Skin Problems
As we know skin is the major organ of humans as well as dogs. It performs a vital role in a dog’s health and regulates many functions. The skin issues are different in different dogs because there are various skin problems in all dog breeds. Skin problems occur due to many reasons including allergies, parasites, or skin infections. The dog feels discomfort all the time. Before using any ointment make sure it is vet-recommended and specifically made for dogs.
Symptoms of Skin Problems in Dogs are:
- Redness
- Itching
- Hair Loss
- Dryness
- Patches or Scales
Major skin issues in Dogs:
- Allergies
- Hot spots (redness)
- Mange (type of microscopic mites)
- Ringworm (fungal infection)
- Alopecia (hair loss from the affected area)
- Yeast infections
- Rashes
2- Ear Infections
One of the most common dog diseases is ear infections mostly happen in dog breeds that have large, floppy ears but are also seen in any dog. The dogs who love swimming or remain most of the time outside are prone to ear infections. Sometimes a grass seed or any debris is stuck in the ear and causes itching and the ear becomes red and hot. If you see your dog scratch or pawing into the ear for 2 to 3 days, immediately make an appointment with your vet otherwise the ear infection can damage the dog’s hearing sense. Regular ear cleaning can reduce the chance of infections but not put anything deep into the ear.
Symptoms of Ear Infection in Dods are:
- Swelling on Ears
- Discharge of brown or yellow liquid
- Foul Smell from Ear
- Itching
- Ear Scratching
- Redness
- Head Shaking
- Pawing at the Ears
- Rubbing the Ears
3- Kennel Cough
Kennel Cough (contagious respiratory infection) is a common type of coughing in dogs spread by pet shelters, dog kennels, or vet places where many dogs live together. The kennel cough seems like a common cold this situation causes trachea inflammation which leads to breathing difficulty. This dog disease is not life-threatening and can be cured after some days with proper nutrition and clean water. The other name for Kennel cough is canine infectious respiratory disease complex (CIRDC) which is caused by bacteria or viruses. With proper dog vaccination, you can control the microbes from spreading this tracheobronchitis infection. When they continuously cough their voice produces a loud or honking noise.
Symptoms of Kennel Cough are:
- Loss of Appetite
- Nose Discharge
- Eye Discharge
- Low Fever
- Sneezing
- Lethargy (tiredness)
4- Urinary tract infections
Urinary tract infections are another common dog illness that can occur due to bacteria that cause infections in bladers. In UTI the bladers become weak and well-trained dogs can also urinate inside the homes. If your dogs are prone to kidney problems or diabetes they frequently urinate unconsciously. If you notice the dog urinate too much consult the veterinarian who can prescribe the antibiotics and inflammatory drugs after taking urine tests that help in controlling the UTI. Some dogs are more prone to UTIs like Yorkshire Terriers, Shih Tzus, and Poodles.
Symptoms of UTI in Dogs are:
- Fever
- Weight Loss
- Severe Back Pain
- Blood in Urine
- Vomiting
- Bad Smell in Urine
- Abnormal Urination
- Lethargy
5- Obesity
Obesity is the second important condition in dogs when they gain weight and dispose to many health sicknesses like heart diseases, joint dislocation such as hip and elbow dysplasia, diabetes, and orthopedic problems. A balanced diet and regular exercise play a significant role in weight loss. Many factors are the cause of obesity including eating too many treats, improper diet, unhealthy food, lack of exercise, and eating table scraps. An obese dog can face difficulty in walking, exercise, breathing, and movements.
6- Arthritis
Arthritis is a condition in which joint or more than one joints are involved. The most common arthritis in dogs is osteoarthritis or degenerative joint disease which generally occurs in aged dogs as a result of hip or elbow dysplasia. In this situation, the cartilage between bones begins to wear out and causes degeneration of joints. There is no proper cure for arthritis but regular short walks, daily exercise, joint supplements, and physical therapy can reduce joint pain and inflammation.
Symptoms of Arthritis are:
- Feel pain when climbing, walking, jumping, and playing
- Lameness
- Stiffness in joints
- Licking the affected joints
7- Dental Disease
Dental disease or periodontal disease is caused due to tartar or plaque buildup on a dog’s teeth. It can damage their teeth. Oral bacteria are also the reason for dental illness if these bacteria enter the dog’s bloodstream can damage their heart and kidneys. Use of treats with high sugar contents can also affect their tooth and result in teeth decay which is a complete loss for dogs. By setting a regular dental care routine the pet parents can save their dogs from dental issues. For this purpose brush their teeth regularly with a dog gentle toothbrush, use low-sugar treats, and take your dogs for routine check-ups.
Symptoms of Dental Disease are:
- Bad smell from mouth
- Red gums
- Pawing into the mouth
- Gum Bleeding
- Swelling on the face
- More Drooling
8- Parasites
It’s very important for dog parents to educate them about various types of parasites because they exist everywhere around the dogs. Some parasites are external like Fleas and ticks while some are internal parasites such as tapeworms, intestinal worms, and heartworms. No worries be happy you can protect your dogs from these parasites by taking preventive measures or medication.
Symptoms of parasites in dogs include:
- Scratching
- Chewing
- Skin becomes red
- Hair Loss
- Restlessness
- Dryness
- Fur appears scaly
Types of Parasites Include:
- Tapeworms (internal parasites)
- Roundworms (internal parasites)
- Hookworms (internal parasites)
- Whipworms (internal parasites)
- Heartworms (internal parasites)
- Fleas (external parasites)
- Ticks (external parasites)
- Mange Mites (external parasites)
- Giardia (internal parasite)
9- Canine parvovirus or Parvo
Parvo is a fatal type of virus that harms the canine health. This canine parvovirus is an infectious DNA virus and is commonly considered life-threatening for dogs, especially for puppies and adult dogs who are not properly vaccinated. This viral dog disease is curable but only by completing the vaccination recommended by vets. This parvovirus damages the cells that can divide like the cells of the intestine and bone marrow also weakens the muscle cells of the heart. Don’t take your dogs to unvaccinated places and keep them away from other unknown dogs who are not vaccinated.
Symptoms of Parvovirus in Dogs:
- Loss of Appetite
- Lethargy
- Fever
- Abdominal Pain
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Difficulty in Breathing
- High Heart Beat
- Low Level of White Blood Cell
10- Canine Influenza
Canine Influenza is commonly called dog flu and caused by a virus type 4 influenza. It is a contagious respiratory disease in dogs of all breeds, age, and sex. This virus spread from dog to dog especially at dog parks, daycare center, and at vaccination places. This dog disease symptoms are similar to humans but this virus cannot affect the humans. The dogs recover into 2 to 3 weeks with support and care.
Symptoms of Canine Influenza in dogs:
- Cough
- Thich nasal discharge
- Decrease in Appetite
- Fever
- Lethargy
