When it comes to canine health problems, there are many potential ailments that can catch you and your pup off guard. The consequences can be both emotionally devastating and costly if they are not dealt with immediately and effectively. Instead of responding to possible health problems as they appear, learn what you can do to stay away from them in the first place and keep your dog happy and healthy.
Potential Canine Health Problems
Dogs can suffer from any number of health troubles, the same as human beings. The difference is that dogs are not able to tell you "I have a stomach ache". They will frequently suffer in silence until there is an extremely real ache that needs to be taken care of. So, it's important to recognize the symptoms and the actions you can take to avoid these issues in the first place.
Infections - Dogs can suffer from a number of possible infections, in their ears, on their skin, in their eyes and their teeth. Ear infections are the most frequent and are often due to a foreign body or bacteria getting in there. Check your dog's ears frequently for red spots, swelling, excess moisture, or dirt. Of all canine health troubles, infections are the simplest to prevent. Clean your dog's eyes, brush their teeth and brush their hair regularly to avoid any possible bacteria build up.
Allergies - Dogs have many forms of allergies. By far the most common is a flea allergy that can cause hot spots and lead to infections. Make sure you get flea medication for your dog every month and have a vet examine them consistently to make sure they are healthy. Additionally, if their skin problems lead to ear infections or other hot spots, it may be a food allergic reaction - a more severe issue that should be addressed by a veterinarian.
Diabetes - Canine health problems tend to mirror human issues in many ways and diabetes is one such potential disease. Excess rich, greasy and sugared foods can result in pancreatic issues that cause diabetes. To avoid diabetes, keep your dog on a strict diet of dog foods with minimal table scraps or excess meals. If your dog is diagnosed with diabetes, you'll need to see a vet regularly and may need to administer regular shots.
Arthritis and Dysplasia - Some dogs are highly vulnerable to joint problems. Pure breds especially have a long history of arthritic canine health problems due to their longer, narrower joints. Make sure your dog receives the necessary vitamins and minerals it requires each day and that your vet checks the joints for degeneration at least once a year.
Obesity - Obesity is one of the most widespread and deadly canine health problems and is directly brought on by eating too much and not exercising enough. Obesity itself does not lead to mortality, but the higher rates of heart failure, tumors, liver disease, and skin problems are all very hazardous if not dealt with immediately. Obesity can be treated with a careful diet and keen eye to a dog's activity levels.
If your dog gets plenty of exercise, eats well every day, and you keep it clean and well groomed, many of these health problems will never be an issue. Even then, you should make sure you visit your vet yearly to check for any potential issues. The earlier you catch a disease, the better it can be taken care of.
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