3 Common Health Issues For Dogs
Posted on: 4 August 2021
There are many ways you as a dog owner can ensure that your furry friend stays healthy. One of the best things is to take your dog to the vet for routine exams. Taking your dog to the vet will help catch signs of serious illnesses early on, which makes it easier to treat. Your vet may also need to administer vaccinations and ensure your dog is receiving proper nutrition. Even though you do all these things for your dog, however, it doesn't mean your furry friend will never get sick.
Here are three common health issues for dogs that require a visit to the vet.
1. Skin Conditions
If you have a long-haired dog, you may not think too much about the skin underneath all that fur. But whether a dog has a long or short coat, they are all susceptible to certain skin conditions.
Some skin conditions common in dogs include:
- Mange. This skin condition is caused by mites that live in a dog's skin or hair.
- Yeast infections. This skin condition grows on warm parts of a dog's body, such as the groin or ear canal.
- Impetigo. This skin condition is characterized by lesions on the skin and usually affects puppies.
Some dogs may have environmental allergies or food allergies that can also result in a skin condition.
2. Ear Infections
A dog's ear canal is prone to having moisture, which makes it easy for bacteria, yeast, and fungus to grow. These types of growths in the ears can lead to infection. Other reasons dogs get ear infections include wax buildup, ear canal injury, or a foreign object inside the ear.
Signs that your dog has an ear infection include:
- Head shaking
- Scratching the ear
- Discharge from the ear
- Swelling of the ear canal
- Scabs in the ear.
To treat an ear infection, a vet will prescribe topical ointments, medicated ear cleansers, or antibiotics.
3. Digestive Disorders
If your dog has diarrhea, excessive gas, constipation, or vomits after eating, your furry friend might have some kind of digestive disorder. Other symptoms of digestive disorders in dogs include weight loss and not wanting to eat their food. It's not uncommon for dogs that have parasites or worms to develop a digestive disorder.
In some instances, an abrupt change in diet can cause digestive symptoms. Digestive disorders can also be caused by viruses, bacteria, or ingesting toxic food, such as chocolate. Some digestive disorders get resolved on their own. If symptoms persist, however, you need to take your dog to the vet.
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