8 Health Concerns Which Can Affect Your Dog

Many factors can cause sickness in dogs. Taking proper care of your pup’s health will significantly decrease the risk of any health issues. However, the amount of care you have for your beloved furry friend doesn’t matter much in some cases. Various infections (skin, ear, urinary) may occur for various reasons, as well as unexplained vomiting or diarrhea.  

It’s always a good idea to regularly visit your vet for routine wellness and health exams. By doing regular check-ups, you’ll discover any potential health issues in time, and you’ll be able to treat these conditions before they become more severe. Prevention is the key, and by carefully observing any changes in your dog’s diet and lifestyle, you’ll successfully recognize and address any signs of serious health problems.

Below are some of the most common health concerns that you should watch out for:

• Be Aware of Ear Infections

You’ll know that your dog suffers from an ear infection when you see that your pup is often scratching its ears and shaking its head. Moreover, if your pup has an ear infection, you’ll recognize it by the distinct odor coming from their ears or if you see debris or discharge coming out of their ears. Ear infections can be very irritating and itchy, but they tend to cause severe pain as well. Additionally, ear infections can sometimes cause skin issues since they’re closely related to some allergies.

In case you didn’t notice the first signs of infection in time, and your dog isn’t treated immediately, ear infections can be the cause of severe damage to your pup’s health. As soon as you notice your dog is showing signs of an ear infection, make sure to visit your veterinarian.

• Have You Noticed Any Changes in Your Dog’s Skin?

Canines can experience a vast number of skin issues. Itchiness and scratching are standard signs that your dog might be suffering from skin issues. The skin will appear as red, scaly, flaky, or inflamed. Any abnormality on the skin is a sign to visit a vet. Moreover, your dog may also lose patches of its fur. Development of skin problems in dogs include parasites, allergies, various skin infections, etc.

• Don’t Panic if Your Pup is Occasionally Vomiting

Your dog can start vomiting for various reasons. You don’t need to see the vet immediately after your pup threw up, but it’s not something you should completely ignore. If your pup is vomiting out of the blue, it can signify gastrointestinal blockage, toxicity, or other diseases.

IBS in dogs and changes in their diet are also two of the most common causes of vomiting. On the other hand, if your pup keeps throwing up, or if they have symptoms like inappetence, weakness, or diarrhea, you should immediately visit your vet.

• Diarrhea is Another Frequent Health Issue

Vomiting can be accompanied by diarrhea, but diarrhea can also happen on its own. Several factors may cause diarrhea in dogs, and all of them are similar to the ones that may cause them to vomit.

In case your pup had a single case of diarrhea or even a few, it’s usually nothing to worry about. However, if your pup has an ongoing diarrhea problem, that can cause dehydration in your dog. If your puppy is experiencing persistent diarrhea, and if it’s accompanied by lethargy and throwing up, make sure to go to your vet.

• Defend Your Pet from Parasites

Parasites can be found everywhere. There are several types of parasites that every dog owner must know about, including external and internal parasites. The external ones are known as ticks or fleas, while the most common internal parasites are intestinal worms and heartworms.

Luckily, there are numerous ways available that will prevent parasites from attacking your pup. All dog owners must educate themselves about how to protect their pets with standard bi-weekly or monthly preventive treatments in the form of capsules, pills, and others.

• What Should You Do if Your Pup Suffers from Urinary Tract Infections?

Urinary issues in dogs are a common health problem. Although it can be very frustrating dealing with a pup that’s peeing all over the house, you need to understand that it’s not always about the lack of training. Sometimes, behavioral problems may cause uncontrolled peeing indoors, but in certain cases, it’s happening because of a serious health issue.

You’ll know if your puppy suffers from a urinary tract infection by carefully watching for signs like increased thirst, blood in urine, lethargy, frequent and inappropriate urination. Some of these symptoms can be connected to other conditions like diabetes or kidney disease. If you notice any of these indicators, take your dog to the vet to perform a standard urine check to see what’s causing these symptoms.

• Keep Your Dog Fit and Healthy

Obesity is known to be the fastest-growing health issue seen in numerous dogs today. It’s possible to prevent dogs from becoming obese. Obesity in dogs can cause some severe health problems like orthopedic diseases, heart disease, and diabetes. Luckily, it’s possible to prevent your dog from becoming obese, and even if your pup is already obese, it can be reversed with regular exercise and a healthy, balanced diet.

• Always Know How to Recognize Poisoning or Intoxication in Dogs

Dogs are known to be incredibly food-driven and curious animals. Therefore, it’s no surprise that dogs can get intoxicated or poisoned easily. Numerous toxins exist, and many of their forms aren’t always ingestible. Various household items, medication, and certain plants can all be the cause behind your dog’s poisoning.

Seeing your dog suffering from poisoning is not a pleasant experience for anyone. Therefore, make sure to check what your pup is gobbling up or chewing on to prevent potential poisoning. Being vigilant about their food intake will only benefit you and your canine companion in the long run.

Wrapping Up

Standard health issues in dogs include less scary ones, and the ones you wouldn’t want to come across. Vomiting or diarrhea in dogs can be caused by a change in their diet or an underlying health issue. Ear, skin, or urinary tract infections can also cause so much damage to your dog’s overall health. Make sure you can recognize these symptoms when you see them and seek treatment from your vet immediately.