Are you up-to-date on the most common dog health problem?

They weren't kidding when they said that the dog was man's best friend. Our dogs are our greatest companions; they are infinitely loyal and deserve only the best from us in return. To make sure that our dogs are as healthy and as happy as we hope for ourselves to be, it is important to schedule annual veterinary exams and to always maintain good health practices. Part of keeping your companion animals healthy involves knowing how to spot the most common dog health problems, and knowing what to do if one of them exists.

Most Common Dog Health Problems:

Allergies to Food - This is actually much more common than people realize, because many of the filler products used in commercial dog foods can cause dog food allergy problems down the line. If your dog has skin issues or other related problems, the dog food that you are using may be the culprit. The best thing for you to do is to consult your veterinarian - And if it is an allergy, you need to seek out hypoallergenic dog food. Most natural organic dog food brands are high in the right content and low in fillers, meaning allergy is not as prevalent so opt for better, more naturally balanced food when possible.

Fleas - Fleas are parasites that may appear to be rather benign, but they can actually lead to a number of different dog health problems both in puppies and in adult dogs as well. These health problems include but are not limited to anemia, and tapeworm infections. Live fleas are the most obvious indication that there is a problem, or you may also find flea droppings on your dog. The absolute best way to address this is through researching natural flea control, if you find you are unsuccessfull in that regard then your next best option is topical flea prevention products.

Kennel Cough - Kennel cough is a highly contagious infection that is common in shelters, because once one dog brings it in - The rest can quickly become infected. Kennel cough is mainly just a cough, though can be accompanied by a runny nose and eyes, and can quickly progress into Pneumonia or something else if not treated promptly with antibiotics.

Hip Dysplasia - While some breeds are specifically prone to hip dysplasia, all dogs are susceptible to it. Hip Dysplasia typically occurs because the ball portion of the upper hind leg does not fit as it should into the socket of the hip, which causes instability in the leg, causing the hip bone to eventually tear apart. Most dogs with hip dysplasia present with arthritic pain or lameness. A vet needs to assess the situation as soon as possible in order to effectively treat this disorder.

Obesity - Obesity is becoming a common problem among many pets, and not just dogs. If you are not sure about what your dog's natural weight should be, consult a veterinarian. Avoid over feeding treats and only feed the right amount of a nutritionally balanced food in order to prevent or combat obesity in dogs.

Parvovirus - Parvovirus is a highly contagious virus that leads to Canine Parvoviral Enteritis, affecting the digestive system of the dog. It only takes approximately five days for signs to shown up once the dog has been exposed to the virus, and these symptoms may include lethargy, loss of appetite, vomiting, bloody diarrhea and fever. In the more severe cases, death can even occur because of infection, shock or severe dehydration. If your dog is showing signs of blood diarrhea, parvoviral enteritis or Parvo is the greatest suspect. A veterinarian should be consulted immediately because this is a highly contagious virus.

Teeth - Caring for your dog's teeth is an important part of keeping him or her healthy. It is important to monitor the teeth and gums, brushing or wiping the teeth clean whenever possible. Gum disease and tooth decay are both serious problems that can give your dog a great deal of pain, so it is important to pay extra attention to your companion's mouth and to keep his or her teeth and gums healthy and working right.

Ticks and Lyme disease - Most people are not aware of what ticks are, or what they can mean for your dog. Best case scenario, when a tick attaches itself to your dog, they spend several days feeding until they have grown up to ten times their original size. In the worst case scenario that tick could be carrying a disease from another animal that can be passed to your companion pet. Lyme disease is often carried by certain types of ticks, so you should avoid all ticks if possible. Keep a tick removal tool handy and learn how to effectively remove ticks without killing or tearing them for the best results.

Our dogs are our best friends, and in many cases, our lifelong companions as well. It is important that we maintain their good health alongside them, because there is a lot that we can do for them but that they cannot do for themselves. Armed with this list of common dog health problems, hopefully you will be able to keep your dog happy and healthy for many years to come.

If you found this article, Common Dog Health Problem interesting you may also like to read Is your dog suffering from allergies?

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