Dogs are faithful companions and these loving animals make great pets. They depend on you for good care and the best way to ensure that your canine friend can live a healthy life is by knowing the common health problems they face. Knowing what these problems are and how they can be resolved can aid you in keeping your dog as healthy as possible. Some of the top dog health problems and their solutions are discussed here:
Diarrhea and Vomiting
There are a number of causes that can lead to diarrhea and vomiting in dogs, but an infection like parvovirus.Others include swallowing objects or eating inappropriate foods. An isolated bout of diarrhea or vomiting in a dog is usually not a cause for concern, but you need to go see a vet if they vomit repeatedly during a day. You should look for symptoms such as blood in diarrhea or vomit, weight loss, black or dark diarrhea, fever, lethargy or a change in appetite. Give them lots of water to prevent dehydration and give them bland foods after vomiting.
Heartworms
This is a serious and potentially deadly disease in which your dog’s arteries or heart may be infected by a parasite. A mosquito bite can expose dogs to larvae and if left unchecked, it can end up developing into large worms. Some of the symptoms of heartworms include lethargy, coughing, depression i.e. not greeting your and moping and collapsing. This infestation can lead to heart failure and then death. Medications are given in some cases or surgery may also be performed. Heartworms can also be prevented with topicals, daily oral medications or injections.
Lower Urinary Tract Problems
Bacterial infections, incontinence, bladder stones and even cancer are some common urinary tract problems that dogs can experience. Some of the symptoms include producing a small amount of urine, urinating more often, fever, vomiting, weight loss, crying in pain or straining when urinating, incontinence and blood in the urine. Some treatment options that can be prescribed by the vet are dietary changes, antibiotics and surgery or removing a tumor or bladder stones.
Cancer
Skin cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer that can be found in dogs. It becomes evident in the form of white patches on ear tips and top of the nose. There are additional symptoms of cancer in dogs, which include swelling, lumps, lameness, rapid weight loss, sores, difficulty breathing, black stools, lack of energy, defecating, urinating or sudden decreased appetite. The treatments for cancer include chemotherapy, surgery, immunotherapy and radiation. Just like people, a combination of treatments may be used and the outcome depends on the type of disease, stage of cancer and the aggressiveness of the treatment.
Broken Bones
Also called fractures, broken bones are a common health issue in dogs and they happen due to activities such as jumping out of the window. Some of the symptoms they may experience are not moving and limping. Treatment includes a splint, cast and surgery.
Dental Disease
An infection of the gums known as periodontal disease is very common amongst dogs and can affect about 80% of them. It has been linked to kidney disease, diabetes, heart disease and other serious health problems. The symptoms that dogs may experience include difficulty eating, smelly breath and facial swelling. The treatment for this include removing dental plaque and in some cases, the teeth may also be removed. To prevent dental health issues, regular checkups with a vet dentist are recommended, their teeth should also be brushed with dog toothpaste regularly and they should be given rawhide chews.
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