Common Dog Health Problems

Just as there are a number of health problems that humans can suffer from, so too are there a multitude of dog health issues that can effect our pets. On the pages in this section we'll try to cover as many as we can. We'll let you know what to look out for, and what can be done to prevent problems with the eyes, skin, heart, and internal systems. Some are common, others are more rare.

But for now we'll open this section of dog health by looking at some of the most common problems our pets can have.

The first one we'll talk about is internal parasites. Simply put, these are worms that get into a dog's digestive tract. Once there, these roundworms, tapeworms and whipworms will pull out all the nutrients your pet takes in before they can be used by his body. These are most common in puppies, but adult dogs are certainly not immune to the problems. And those problems can be severe if not treated. Malnutrition is the first thing that you'll notice.

Hookworms will attach themselves to the intestinal lining of your pet. There they feed on your dog's blood which often results in anemia. Things you should look out for include lethargy, a loss of appetite and weight, diarrhea and even a distended stomach. If you notice these things, take your pet to a vet immediately. Let him provide and confirm your diagnosis of worms. Yes there are over the counter worm medications you can buy, but not all worms are affected by them. Check with your vet before starting any treatment. If he says the over the counter medications will work, then go ahead and use them. If not, he'll provide the treatment. The good news is that these worms can be treated.

The second common dog health problem we'll look at is also a worm, but heartworms, as the name suggests, find their way into your pet's heart. Heartworms are usually transmitted by mosquitoes carrying their larva. Once inside your dog's heart, they seem to congregate in the left ventricle. Heartworms make it difficult for the dog's heart to circulate blood, and can eventually clog the major blood vessels when they break off into pieces. Untreated, this will be fatal. But heartworms can be treated with a strong, and yes, expensive medication. And while taking the meds, and even for the weeks that follow, your pet will have to stay inside and rest most of the time.

The best thing to do here is give your dog a heartworm preventative as prescribed by your vet. But he must be checked before taking the meds, because if the worms are present while the preventative is being taken, the results can be fatal.

Some of the symptoms of heartworms include a dry cough, a rapid heart beat, lethargy, weight loss and diarrhea.

The third common problem we'll talk about here is canine diabetes. If you are familiar with diabetes in humans, there is not much difference in your dog. It happens when the pancreas can't produce enough insulin to handle whatever sugars are in the blood stream. Typically this occurs in dogs that are older and overweight. The treatment, much like in humans, means a diet change. Proteins are increased, weight loss is essential, and sometimes insulin is needed. Dogs with diabetes need to have their blood sugar (glucose) monitored just like humans, although the monitoring need to be done by your veterinarian. Some of the symptoms to be on the lookout for include more frequent urination, increased water drinking, weight loss, a larger appetite and even lethargy.

Going along with diabetes is health problem number 4...obesity. If your pet is overfed and not very active, he will become dangerously overweight. As you might expect, this happens more often with older dogs, but can also happen to young puppies as well. The extra weight will cause a multitude of problems. His joints will be stressed, and fat will form around his internal organs, thus affecting how well they can function. His heart will become enlarged, and poor circulation and breathing problems result. As it progresses, diabetes is frequently developed. But there are a whole host of other problems cause by Canine obesity. The treatment is simple, a change in diet and plenty of exercise.

And how do you know if your dog is obese? Well most of the time you can tell by looking at him or at the very least checking the breed stats. But you can also check by running your hands over his ribs. You should not be able to see those ribs, especially through his coat, but you should be able to feel them.

The final dog health problem we'll talk about here is ear mites. These are very problematic, but also very treatable. Ear mites are simply microscopic mites that get into your pet's ear canal. If the case is severe, they will also surround the outside of the ear. You'll notice an increase in earwax production, and your dog will also likely be scratching his ears and shaking his head a lot. It can get serious, because if untreated ear mites can cause blood clots in the ear. But the good news is that these can be treated with a vet's prescription of ear drops.

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