Saturday, August 30, 2014

Common Dog Health Problems

All dogs, at some point, have some medical troubles.  It's important to be on the lookout for any illnesses your dog might be displaying.  Here are few more common ones:

*Vomiting and/or Diarrhea- Generally it's not a major concern if it's due to something your dog might have gotten into and eaten.  Withholding food for 24 hours (but giving water), allowing your pup's system to rest, and is usually all that is needed for recovery.  If vomiting is caused by something more, or you aren't sure of the cause, contact your vet.

*Allergies- Allergies in your dog can come from a number of things...medicines, food, dust, fleas, grass, molds and pollen are some of the possibilities.  Generally allergic reactions in dogs will show up through their skin so watch for redness, rashes and itching.

*Heartworm- This is when a dog is exposed to larvae through a mosquito bite and these parasites take hold in their heart and arteries.  Heartworm disease can be deadly, as treatment is not always successful, but it is preventable through medication.  Symptoms include lethargy, coughing, depression and sometimes the dog collapses.

*Dental Problems- This is very common and can become serious.  The infections can spread and have been linked to kidney disease and heart disease.  Brushing your dog's teeth help keep these problems away.

*Overweight- Being too overweight as a dog isn't all that different than it is for humans.  Dogs face increased risk of diabetes, pain and liver disease.  You should be able to see your dog's waist and from the side you should see a gradual slope upward from his chest to his hips.  If you dog is overweight, it's important to speak with your vet and appropriate diet and exercise for your particular pup.


5 comments:

  1. Think overweight is the biggest problem and sadly many don't see it as an issue until it gets bad. Have a super Saturday.
    Best wishes Molly

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  2. Good advice. We're with Molly, weight is an issue for doggies and peeps! We love our dogs into obesity too much of the time!

    Your Pals,

    Murphy & Stanley
    Mayorz For All Paws
    "Use Your Noodle & Vote For A Doodle"

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  3. Very good list. Thanks for keeping us updated boys!!

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  4. We're a bit pudgy, but the vet said we weren't 'too bad'. We need more walks. We have a friend at the river and he is VERY overweight.

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  5. I like pet dog very much. It is sad that there are so many people that don’t realize that, that cute puppy in the window came from a sad, sick, never been loved, tired mother behind bars! Both of my boys were adopted and I have taken in a few stray kittens. Looking for large dog breeds for families Wondering what large dog breeds are good with kids or would be good for apartments Find out here A complete list of large dog breeds

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