Common Dog Health Problems Articles | Dog and Puppies

By: Jeremy C.W

Many dog health problems can be avoided with the correct care and nutrition. One of the major factors in many dog related health problems is the lack of exercise. This greatly increases the risks of many dog diseases such as arthritis, heart disease and diabetes especially in older dogs.

Always be observant and be on the look out for any changes in your dog's behavior when trying to tackle these problems. This article will cover several common dog health problems and tips on how to spot signs of health complications.

Sign 1: Your dog's coat starts to lose its luster. This is a clear indication that something is wrong with your dog and that the problem shouldn't be left alone for too long without treatment.

Ear Infection:

Dog ear infections are a very common thing. Most breeds of dogs and especially breeds with longer floppy ears covering the ear canals stand a greater likelihood of getting infected. The more common breeds are Dalmations, Poodles, Terriers and Retrievers.

Symptoms include a foul order, constant shaking of their heads, scratching their ears regularly which leads to redness and in some cases swellings.

Canine Hip Dysplasia:

Both arthritis and canine hip dysplasia are a chronic dog health problem especially in the larger breeds. CHD as commonly termed, is a condition where the dog's thigh bone does not properly fit into the hip socket. In many cases, the cartilage becomes damaged and the joint slowly gets destroyed.

Dogs may experience pain and swelling via the affected areas and may appear lethargic at most times. Most dogs with canine hip dysplasia have the tendency to "hop" when they are running. These symptoms generally don't show themselves until the dogs are in their middle ages.

Dog Parasites:

There are several different types of parasites that can "live" in your dog's intestines. These worms are highly common in puppies and younger dogs, and although parasites will cause a dog to become sickly, they are not considered life threatening. Parasites cause dog health problems such as Anemia (a condition that is most often related and caused by blood loss from wounds or parasites such as worms and fleas). Fleas and Ticks may also be the primary cause for many skin related problems and conditions in dogs.

Common worms include Tapeworms, Roundworms, Hookworms and Whipworms. Symptoms of worms are not as easily detectable as cats and other animals. You should always be on the lookout for the more obvious signs like gastrointestinal disturbances, scratching around the base of the tail and Mild to severe coughing.

Eye Infections:

Eye infections (conjunctivitis) usually display symptoms of weeping, red eyes and sometimes a discharge. Your vet's diagnosis would confirm the type of eye infection and the type of medication to use. Conjunctivitis is contagious and needs immediate attention to prevent spreading to other dogs.

Other dog health problems include seizures, fatty tumors, antifreeze poisoning and anal sac disease. These conditions require the guidance and immediate medical attention of a pet professional if deemed life threatening. By feeding a premium diet that is rich in vitamins and minerals, you can avoid many dog related health problems later on in your dog's life.