Canine Wellness: Common Health Issues in Dogs
Your dog can’t exactly tell you when something is wrong with them by running off their list of symptoms. It’s up to us pet parents to be actively aware when something is wrong with our dogs by the signs they give off with their changing behaviors or appearance. Canine wellness can be a lot to take in, but with the help of our veterinarians and the good old internet, we can become more aware of the common health issues our dogs can go through.
According to the Kennel Club, your dog’s risk of developing any type of disorder largely depends on their breed, age, sex, whether they’re fixed, the type of diet they follow and how much exercise they get. If you’re wondering what signs your dog may give off that can alert you to a health issue, these symptoms should have you calling your vet with some questions:
New lumps or bumps
Itching or scratching their butts, bodies or ears
Changes in their energy level
Limping or walking differently
Peeing or pooping where they shouldn’t
Drinking more or less water than usual
Eating things they shouldn’t
Skin issues or hair loss
Vomiting or diarrhea
Bad breath
Breathing funny or making unusual noises
Changes in body shape or weight
These symptoms can mean some underlying medical issues can be happening with your dog and sometimes your dog can be really good at hiding their pain. Check out these 7 common health issues that can affect your dog so you as a pet parent can be more aware of how your dog is doing.
1. Ear infections: If your dog is frequently pawing at their ears and shaking their heads, they probably have an ear infection. They are very common in dogs, especially in long-eared breeds and dogs that spend a lot of time outside since it’s often dirt, dust or some other alien object such as grass seed that can become lodged inside their ear. This causes the ear to become irritated and eventually infected, which can look like a red or crusty ear that may produce a discharge or odor.
2. Skin allergies and hot spots: Itching and scratching are common signs of skin issues in dogs. This can lead to the skin looking red, inflamed, flaky, scaly or just abnormal and they can also lose patches of hair. If there is a bare spot on their fur that looks pink or reddish, they may have a bacterial infection that is often referred to as hot spots. Allergies, parasites and skin infections are some of the more common reasons why your dog may be itching, scratching and biting themselves. If you want to help your dog from becoming too miserable, seeing your vet as soon as possible is a great way to help get treatment and relief.
3. Arthritis: A general term for abnormal changes in a joint, arthritis is a more common condition in older dogs causing chronic pain that can result in permanent joint damage. The hips, knees, shoulders and elbows are the most commonly affected joints in dogs and you’ll notice that they become slower to get to their feet and will be less active than they used to be. Your dog may be able to hide their pain and discomfort, especially in the early ages, so it can be difficult to detect right away despite being painful for your dog. Exercise, weight control and anti-arthritic drugs can help your dog overcome the pain of arthritis with approval from your vet.
4. Obesity: More than 55% of dogs in the United States are overweight or obese according to The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention. Obesity is one of the most common health problems seen in dogs and is also one of the most preventable. Proper diet and exercise can help prevent your dog from becoming another statistic, however not every obese dog is eating too much. Genetic conditions, hormonal imbalances or lifestyle factors can also affect their weight. By not watching your dog’s weight, diabetes, heart disease and orthopedic problems can become huge issues in their future.
5. Dental disease: Often an overlooked aspect of a dogs health, periodontal disease is a common dental disease with dogs. This is a disease of the gums and tooth attachments where plaque and tartar in your dog’s mouth harbor bacteria and eventually damage the gums and teeth. The bacteria can cause gum disease, cavities and can even enter the bloodstream leading to damage to the heart and kidneys. Signs of gum disease include bad breath, bleeding gums, pawing at the face, dribbling and loss of interest in food or chew toys.
6. Urinary Tract Infections: Urinary issues are common in dogs and can be frustrating when your dog frequently urinates in the house, especially when they are house trained. Many pet owners chalk it up to behavioral issues or lack of training, but your dog may have a urinary tract infection or another underlying medical condition. Signs of a UTI include inappropriate urination, frequent urination, increased thirst, bloody urine and lethargy. Sometimes the signs of a urinary tract infection can be associated with other medical conditions such as diabetes and kidney disease, so if you notice any of the signs, you can have the vet check your dog’s urine.
7. Overgrown nails: Just like our nails, dog’s nails are constantly growing and because they spend a good amount of time indoors or on soft surfaces, they get very little wear on their nails. Long claws are more prone to chipping, tearing, splitting and breaking, which can be very painful and may require veterinary treatment. As well as being prone to damage, when a dog stands or walks on long-clawed paws it puts pressure on the wrong parts of the foot, causing pain and discomfort which can travel to other parts of the limb and cause lameness. A good indicator that your dog’s nails need to be trimmed is if you can hear their nails clicking loudly as they move around on hard or tiled floors.
Being aware of behavioral and physical changes, no matter how big or small they may be, is your best way to be proactive with your canine’s health and wellness. They may not be able to say, ‘hey, I’m not feeling well today,’ but their body language can definitely clue you in to how they are feeling. So always be aware and keep yourself educated on common health issues that can happen.
Exercise is always a great go-to when it comes to ‘keeping pup’ with your canine’s health and what can be better than some fresh air and pavement hitting their feet with daily dog walks. Going Mutts Pet Services would love to be your local dog walkers and to give you peace of mind while you’re away at the office. Contact us today to see how we can customize our pet services for you and your furry friend!
Sources:
https://www.onehealth.org/blog/canine-wellness-recognizing-common-dog-health-problems
https://bowwowinsurance.com.au/pet-community/pet-talk/top-10-most-common-health-problems-for-dogs/
https://www.thesprucepets.com/common-dog-health-problems-1117863
