Common Dog Health Problems – How to Spot Them In Your Dog
Dogs are perhaps the animals most people would get for a pet. As such, intensive studies regarding dog health problems have been done to help dog owners from all over to understand the nature of the various diseases; and more than that – to provide the correct treatments for the specific sickness.
There is a long list of dog diseases that canines are susceptible to. Many are brought upon by infected organisms or parasites that latch themselves on the dog’s system, disrupting its regular functions. There are several medicated soaps and shampoos that can combat external parasites like fleas and ticks.
Internal parasites warrant more concern as they are often more dangerous and less evident in the initial stages. Hookworms, tapeworms, intestinal worms and heartworms cause severe discomfort for the canine that has been infested. You can avoid this primarily by maintaining as clean an environment as you can for the dog and providing a nutritious and good diet for him.
Rabies is a viral sickness that has long been associated with dogs. Dogs catch rabies when they have been bitten by another infected animal like a raccoon or bat or another dog. This is easily preventable by having your pet regularly vaccinated for rabies. Other viral diseases include herpes virus, distemper, parvovirus, canine hepatitis and influenza.
Unless there is a change in the canine’s environment like the atmosphere, a new visitor (person or animal), etc., any alterations in their behavior should be observed closely. Even if there are too many dog diseases to remember, taking note of common dog symptoms will go a long way in avoiding potentially fatal diseases.
Some of the changes you should watch out for are depression, anxiety, sudden weight loss, excessive trembling, frequent loss of balance, fatigue and sleepiness. When these symptoms occur, monitor their behavior for a few days and ensure that no further stressful factors enter into the equation. If there are no improvements after a few days, have him checked up. Take note when the changes started and the pattern of it for the record of your veterinarian.
Dogs that are in pain are not always able to vocalize and appropriately express their discomfort. Especially for some breeds that have a higher tolerance for pain – locating their problems is not particularly easy to do. Other than yelping and howling, notice their posture and how they position themselves. If they are hunched over and lick at some areas, it may be that it is where the soreness is.
Other dog symptoms you should look out for are loss of appetite, bad odor from orifices, hair loss, bumps or discoloration in the skin, flu-like symptoms and vomiting. A sick dog will have trouble in his urinating; he will strain and only be able to pee in small amounts, so keep an eye on this. Check his eyes and nose for any unusual discharge as well.
Dog health problems are unfortunate but most are easily addressed and treated when you have correctly diagnosed the condition. Visit your veterinarian regularly to arrest any infection in the beginning stages and ensure your dog’s well-being.