What are the 6 Most Common Dog Health Problems?

Dogs are known to be man’s best friend and therefore, if you want to have your faithful companion for a long time then you need to take good care of it. This means that you should be aware of the most common health problems your dog is likely to face, the signs to look out for and how to deal with each problem as it arises.

Worms

There are some common internal parasites such as hookworms, whipworms, tapeworms and roundworms that can really harm your dog. Parasites such as hookworms are fatal in puppies.

Here are some of the common signs to look out for in your dog to know if it’s infested with worms.

· Vomiting: If your dog has worms then it is most likely to throw up and sometimes roundworms might even show up in the vomit.

· Coughing: This is one of the advanced stage symptoms of heartworms but also roundworms and hookworms can cause a cough.

· Loss of appetite: If you notice a sudden change in your dog’s appetite then, it might be having worms.

· Poor appearance: Your dog’s coat should be shinny and thick so if you notice that your dog’s coat begins to become dull and dry, then it might have picked up some worms. Rashes or loss of hair can also be a sign of worms in your dog. Your dog might appear bloated or potbellied, which are also other signs of worms especially in puppies.

· Scooting: This is where your dog rubs its bottom on the ground. Therefore, if you notice your dog rub their bottom on the ground, it might be due to worms in that area.

· Itching or signs of skin irritation.

If you notice any signs listed above then your dog is most likely infested with worms and you need to take it to a vet. If left untreated, worms can lead to loss of consciousness, damage of your dog’s internal organs or even cause death. Don’t try to treat the worms by yourself because treatment depends on which type of worm your dog has.

Ear infections

Another common health problem in dogs is ear infections, which are normally caused by ear mites, yeast, bacteria, allergies, hair growing deep in the ear canal and much more.

Here are some of the signs to know if your dog has an ear infection.

· Redness of its ear canal.

· Swelling on the outer parts of its ear.

· A bad smell from the ear.

· A bloody, yellow or brown discharge from the ear.

· Occasional head tilting or shaking.

· Lack of balance.

Cleaning and medicating of the ear canal is a quick way to clear up the infection. However, it is best if you take your dog to the vet if you think it has an ear infection.

Hot spots (acute moist dermatitis)

This is a bacterial skin infection that irritates your dog’s skin, causing it to scratch or chew. This can lead to pain. They quickly grow large if left untreated.

If you notice red, smelly, wet patches of skin on your dog or fleas then it is likely to have a hot spot. Other signs include licking, biting or scratching one area of the body or even bleeding skin.

If you notice that your dog has hotspots, its good if you take it to the vet for a diagnosis. You can also treat hotspots using antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, topical medication, and steroids or by shaving and cleaning the affected area.

Flea infestation

It is very easy for your dog to pick up fleas and it takes only three weeks for one flea to multiply into 1,000 fleas.

Here are some of the signs that your dog is infested with fleas.

· Tapeworms which are carried by fleas.

· Loss of hair.

· Excessive licking, scratching or biting of its skin.

· Small black dots on your dog’s skin.

· Acute moist dermatitis (hotspots)

If you leave the fleas untreated, it not only leads to serious discomfort but can also cause infections, anemia or allergic reactions in your dog. Therefore, if you notice that your dog has fleas, you should take it to the vet to be advised on which medication to use which may include sprays, shampoos, topical liquids or oral medicine.

Diarrhea

This is also another common health problem in dogs, which is caused by many things such as intestinal parasites, parvo virus, food problems or infections.

Diarrhea is pretty easy to notice, as all you need to do is to be on the lookout for loose, watery or liquid stool.

Diarrhea can easily lead to dehydration so make sure to give your dog plenty of water. If the diarrhea persists for more than a day, then take your dog to the vet.

Vomiting

Heatstroke, intestinal parasites or infection to pancreatitis, poisoning, an obstruction in the intestine or kidney failure can all lead to vomiting.

Symptoms that your dog is vomiting include drooling, which is caused by nausea and abdominal heaving.

If you notice any of these symptoms then take your dog to the vet or even when you notice blood in your dog’s vomit or your dog experiences continuous

vomiting, diarrhea or lethargic then contact your vet immediately. He/she will administer the right treatment depending on what’s causing your dog to vomit which may include drugs, fluid therapy or homemade foods.