Top 5 Dog Health Problems
Dog owners may not realize their pet is ill unless there are very obvious symptoms such as limping or constant scratching.
Being aware of some of the common dog ailments can aid in preventing serious illness and get the dog treated by a veterinarian as early as possible.
Here are five of the most common health problems for dogs.
1.
Allergies - one in seven dogs have allergic reactions and show symptoms.
Some are from different food or drugs, some are reactions to flea bites and some are inhaled with dust, molds and grass.
Breathing pollen can give dogs Hay fever just as it does humans, however, the dog's reaction to it will be different.
Allergic reactions in dogs are often shown on the skin because the histamines are released by the body in the skin and not the nose and eyes as with humans.
Dogs can also get the same reaction if the pollen touches their skin.
2.
Periodontal disease - periodontal disease is very common in dogs and can become serious.
It begins with gingivitis which is non-destructive periodontal disease.
Bacteria form on the tooth surface in the form of plaque, and if it is not removed, may go under the gums and cause infection, tooth loss and jaw problems.
Gingivitis is treatable, but periodontitis is irreversible.
3.
Arthritis - arthritis is very common in older dogs and dogs that are not very active or are overweight.
The joints and muscles get stiff and become painful.
One in five dogs in the U.
S.
has arthritis.
4.
Vomiting - vomiting is one of the most common health problems for dogs.
It can be caused because the dog ate something rotten in garbage or because the dog ate too fast.
The first treatment is to stop feeding the dog for 24 hours but give it water.
Start giving small meals and increase the amount gradually.
This should give the stomach a rest, but if the vomiting continues, call a veterinarian.
5.
Dog Skin Problems - there are many different causes for skin diseases in dogs.
The symptoms can be scratches, bumps, rashes and masses.
Masses are benign lipomas or fatty tumors that need to be shown to a veterinarian.
Mast cell tumors are also common and can appear anywhere on the dog's body.
They may be very aggressive or benign.
Scratching is normal for dogs, but if it becomes very long and hard and draws blood, the dog needs help.
Parasites such as mange mites, fleas and ticks cause extreme itching and can be treated with topical and internal medications.
Allergies also cause extreme scratching as mentioned earlier.
A poorly healed wound can trap bacteria under the skin and cause abscesses under the skin.
They will need to be lanced and antibiotic ointment used.
Being aware of some of the common dog ailments can aid in preventing serious illness and get the dog treated by a veterinarian as early as possible.
Here are five of the most common health problems for dogs.
1.
Allergies - one in seven dogs have allergic reactions and show symptoms.
Some are from different food or drugs, some are reactions to flea bites and some are inhaled with dust, molds and grass.
Breathing pollen can give dogs Hay fever just as it does humans, however, the dog's reaction to it will be different.
Allergic reactions in dogs are often shown on the skin because the histamines are released by the body in the skin and not the nose and eyes as with humans.
Dogs can also get the same reaction if the pollen touches their skin.
2.
Periodontal disease - periodontal disease is very common in dogs and can become serious.
It begins with gingivitis which is non-destructive periodontal disease.
Bacteria form on the tooth surface in the form of plaque, and if it is not removed, may go under the gums and cause infection, tooth loss and jaw problems.
Gingivitis is treatable, but periodontitis is irreversible.
3.
Arthritis - arthritis is very common in older dogs and dogs that are not very active or are overweight.
The joints and muscles get stiff and become painful.
One in five dogs in the U.
S.
has arthritis.
4.
Vomiting - vomiting is one of the most common health problems for dogs.
It can be caused because the dog ate something rotten in garbage or because the dog ate too fast.
The first treatment is to stop feeding the dog for 24 hours but give it water.
Start giving small meals and increase the amount gradually.
This should give the stomach a rest, but if the vomiting continues, call a veterinarian.
5.
Dog Skin Problems - there are many different causes for skin diseases in dogs.
The symptoms can be scratches, bumps, rashes and masses.
Masses are benign lipomas or fatty tumors that need to be shown to a veterinarian.
Mast cell tumors are also common and can appear anywhere on the dog's body.
They may be very aggressive or benign.
Scratching is normal for dogs, but if it becomes very long and hard and draws blood, the dog needs help.
Parasites such as mange mites, fleas and ticks cause extreme itching and can be treated with topical and internal medications.
Allergies also cause extreme scratching as mentioned earlier.
A poorly healed wound can trap bacteria under the skin and cause abscesses under the skin.
They will need to be lanced and antibiotic ointment used.
