6 Most Common Health Problems For Dogs
Dogs are the loyal companion that depends on us for their routine life and their care. So, it is our duty to pay heed to our pets and be meticulous with their well-being because there are many diseases that can deteriorate your furry pal’s health if not taken proper care of. Hence, it is essential for dog parents to beware of some most common health problems in dogs so that you know what to do when any such diseases occur in dogs.
Here’s a rundown of common diseases in dogs that are easily preventable.
Kennel Cough
Kennel cough is one of the most common diseases in dogs, which is a contagious respiratory disease that spreads through air and touch. A dog having kennel cough can display similar symptoms as the common cold. Dogs catch kennel cough when they inhale virus or bacteria into their respiratory tract and can display symptoms such as runny nose, laziness, loss of appetite, mild fever, sneezing, and a bad cough. However, the good thing is that there are vaccines available for kennel cough to make your pup immune to it.
Heartworms
A dog gets heartworms when an infected mosquito bites him. Heartworm disease or dirofilariasis is a potentially fatal disease in dogs. It takes a span of 6 to 7 months for larvae to mature into adult heartworm once an infected mosquito bites the dog. Heartworm disease can be detrimental to your dog’s health and its treatment can be a painful process. Irrespective of the ages, heartworm diseases can affect any dog and that’s why it is crucial to provide heartworm preventives to the dog.
Fleas & Ticks
It’s a known fact that fleas and ticks are harmful to your pet. A flea bite can result in flea infestation and dangerous flea-borne diseases if left untreated, Therefore, it is crucial for pet parents to immediately get their pet rid of fleas. Ticks are ubiquitous creatures that can harm your pet and can cause many malignant tick-borne diseases if left untreated. Therefore, it is always wise to provide flea and tick preventives to your dog in order to protect him from flea and tick infestation.
Canine Parvovirus
Canine Parvovirus is a highly contagious disease in dogs. It is a disease mostly found in pups between 6 to 20 weeks of age but it can also affect older animals sometimes. It spreads very easily in the dogs and puppies that are unvaccinated. A dog or puppy can catch hold of this disease as soon as they encounter an infected animal. This virus makes dogs immensely sick. The symptoms of canine parvovirus include lethargy, depression, lack of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, and sudden fever. However, the good part is that there is a vaccine available to prevent canine parvovirus and keep your pet safe.
Gastroenteritis
Gastroenteritis in dogs is a common condition that involves diarrhea accompanied by vomiting in dogs. This disease can be tough to treat in dogs and its causes may vary. This chronic condition can occur suddenly in dogs due to their diet imbalance or many other factors including intestinal parasites, ingestion of spoiled or raw food, food allergy, chances of intestinal flora, and gastrointestinal ulcers. It is recommended to immediately have a word with your vet and they will guide you on how to eliminate all risks of gastroenteritis condition.
Ear Infection In Dogs
Ear infection in dogs is again a common disease especially for dogs that spend most of their time outdoors. Any object such as dirt, dust, grass, or any foreign body can become lodged inside the dog’s ear causing severe itching and irritation in the ears. In order to prevent such ear infections in dogs, pet-parents should ensure the cleanliness of the dog’s ear. Consider using ear cleaner for your pet and make sure that you keep your pet’s ear clean.
No matter how particular and careful we are when it comes to our pet’s health, they can still fall ill due to such common diseases around them. Therefore, ensure to have a regular visit to your vet in order to beware of your pet’s health condition.
