Most Common Canine Health Problems
While dogs are widely considered man’s best friend, they depend on us entirely to care fr their every need. However, many pet owners, unfortunately, overlook the most common canine health problems and have difficulty finding solutions for health issues regarding their furry friends. While this may be simply because identifying health issues in pets can be significantly more challenging in comparison to identifying health issues in humans, there are certain guidelines to consider when caring for your pet to ensure their health is always a priority. Whether you have just brought home your very first puppy, or you are searching for info to care better for your adult dog, the following health issues are most common for canines. Here’s what to look for, and how to remedy the most common health ailments our canines can suffer from.
Ear Infections
Ear infections are amongst the most common health issues for dogs of all ages and sizes, and they can be caused by a list of various reasons from hair growth inside the ear canal, dust mites, bacterial growth, yeast, and even allergies. Identifying the symptoms of an ear infection is not the most challenging task as the symptoms include a foul ear odour, ongoing shaking on the head or head tilting, continuous scratching, balance issues, unusual eye movements and the most notable symptoms include the physical changes to the ear such as redness, swelling, and brown or bloody discharge from the ear.
When it comes to treating an ear infections, pet owners who are not entirely certain of the symptoms should consult with a qualified vet to ensure the pet receives the right treatment, although, if you have treated your pet for ear infections and are looking for a more stable form of treatment for the ongoing issue, you should consider consulting Pet Pharmacy as the renowned retailers of pet pharmaceuticals are well-known for their BCP medications that are compounded especially for each individual patient. Therefore, your pet will receive a tailor-made treatment rather than a generic ear infection treatment that may not be entirely ideal for your pets age, size, or breed.
Worms
Dogs are exceptionally susceptible to worms and while countless pet owners assume that the common health issue is minor and cannot lead to any real concerning health complaints, the issue is not treated. However, worms are extremely easy to treat even though neglecting the issue can be devastating for the health of your beloved furry friend. Your pet should be dewormed at regular intervals whether they show symptoms or not as treatments are able to prevent the issue as well. It is also important to note that certain types of worms, such as hookworms, can be fatal for young dogs. Signs to look for to identify whether or not your dog has worms include diarrhoea which may even expose visible worms depending on the severity of the infection, notable weight loss, changes in appetite (your pet may suddenly start eating a lot more or experience complete appetite loss), bottom scooting to relieve itching, vomiting, decline in overall appearance, and a rough dry coat.
Diagnosing a worm problem should be done with the professional advice of a vet who will advise potential lifestyle changes you may need to consider to prevent the issue. In addition to this, you will also need to treat your pet regularly with a suitable dewormer that is able to keep a wide range of worm types at bay. You should never purchase dewormer without the professional advice of a vet as certain dewormers may be suitable for roundworms while they may not be able to treat tapeworms, which means you may be putting the health of your dog in jeopardy.
Fleas
Fleas are possibly one of the most annoying health issues a dog can have and when considering that fleas will also affect you and your family, it is best to treat the problem as soon as you start noticing your pet is constantly scratching. Other symptoms to watch for include hair loss, hot spots on your pets skin, licking and biting of the skin, and skin rashes. Treating fleas can be done with a tick and flea collar as well as routine bathing with a hypoallergenic pet shampoo. You should also take measures to keep your lawn short and tidy as fleas and ticks breed in the long, neglected lawn. You should maintain the appearance of your pet as much as their health to ensure fleas do not pester your pet or your family. In the event that your pet has skin irritations that have resulted from fleas, you should treat the issue separately and consult with a vet. You may need to apply a topical ointment to assist with rashes and hair loss.
Vomiting And Diarrhoea
It can be extremely stressful to witness symptoms of vomiting and diarrhoea in your pet, especially if they are still a young pup. This is because certain viral and bacterial infections that can be fatal to young dogs can cause these symptoms. Because concerning issues such as the parvovirus, otherwise referred to as cat flu, cause violent vomiting and diarrhoea before ultimately being fatal to the health of your pet. Rather than wait for the symptoms to worsen or attempt home remedies, you should consult a vet as soon as possible if you notice your pet is experiencing vomiting for longer than 8 hours. Preferably, you should closely watch your pet to identify whether your pet has simply eaten something that does not agree with their stomachs, or if it could be a viral infection. Many pet owners use the method of offering a favoured dog treat or a piece of well-cooked meat to their pup to establish if the pet has lost their appetite as appetite loss and vomiting or diarrhoea as combined symptoms are a bad sign. You should always ensure your pet’s vaccinations are up to date as most pet vaccines will effectively prevent serious viruses and bacterias from being fatal for the health of your puppy.
About the Author iPetCompanion Team
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