When you are a dog owner, their health will always come first, no matter what happens. You will schedule vet appointments and ensure they get the best treatment and service when sick and the best vitamins or supplements for their maintenance. Truly, you want them to live a long and healthy life and spend more time with you enjoying life to the fullest.
Avoiding diseases by protecting your dog with healthy practices is not enough; you should be aware of the possible diseases they can get through certain things. Doing so would help you increase their protection. With that, here are the five common dog illnesses:
Ear Infections
Recurrent ear infections in your dog almost certainly stem from food allergies, with corn, wheat, and soy being the most common culprits. However, dogs with large, hanging ears are more likely to develop ear infections. A dog with an ear infection will scratch or paw at his ears, shake his head, and rub his ear against the floor or interiors. Pay attention to these warnings and investigate further into more severe symptoms such as redness of the ear canal, scabs or crusts around the ear, hair loss around the ear, problems with balance, wandering in circles, pain, and hearing loss. It’s best to get checked out immediately, so they don’t have to deal with the pain for too long.
Itchiness, rashes, and other skin infections
All dogs scratch occasionally, but constant scratching could indicate an underlying health issue. Food allergies are the most common reason for a dog’s itchy skin. Common allergens in dog food include corn, wheat, and soy. Switching to a low-allergen diet such as lamb and rice may help if your dog suffers from itchy skin. If changing your pet’s diet somehow doesn’t help, however, a trip to the veterinarian is recommended.
Hot Spots are a problem that can arise from bacterial and yeast infections and are a common cause of itching in dogs. Especially in dogs with thick fur, hot spots can result in excruciating wounds. Foods could also cause certain illnesses you aren’t aware of, so check what they’re eating before giving it to them. Educate yourself with research and acquire the right and factual knowledge to avoid such situations.
Diarrhea and vomiting
Just like humans, dogs can experience tummy troubles every once in a while, and just like humans, these problems usually go away on their own after a few days. However, if your dog is enduring persistent or excessive vomiting or diarrhea, you should schedule an appointment with your vet. Pay attention to their other symptoms, if they have any, as persistent vomiting and diarrhea could indicate a more severe problem.
Illnesses such as parvovirus, intestinal worms, and parasites can all lead to diarrhea in your dog. Your veterinarian’s diagnosis will help pinpoint the issue and guide the appropriate course of treatment.
Pain and stiffness
Your dog’s mobility may decrease after age six, making simple tasks like getting up from a chair or bed or going up and down stairs more challenging. These are the signs of pain and stiffness that he is experiencing.
Urinary Tract Issues
Indications of a urinary tract infection (UTI) include:
- Urinating frequently.
- A relapse in housetraining, blood in the urine.
- Dribbling urine.
- A high-pitched noise.
- A straining motion while urinating.
- A preoccupation with licking the genital area.
If you notice any physical symptoms manifesting in your dog’s health, instead of panicking, get them checked by the vet and ensure that they are getting the proper medication that they need before everything is too late. Moreover, there is an important reminder that owners should know, giving dogs a healthy and balanced lifestyle is always vital to a long and happy life. Treat them from time to time and let them enjoy things.
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