Dog Health Problems Unravelled

By Geraldine Dimarco


Dogs are perhaps the animals most people would get for a pet. As such, intensive studies regarding dog health problems have been done to help dog owners from all over to understand the nature of the various diseases; and more than that - to provide the correct treatments for the specific sickness.

There are a lot of dog diseases out there. Some of these are a result of external parasites that disrupt a regular canines generally uneventful life. You can deal with these fleas and ticks by using any of the medicated shampoos and soaps out in the market today.

Internal parasites are more dangerous and more subtle in its manifestation during the initial stages of infestation. Examples of these are the tapeworms, hookworms, intestinal worms and heartworms which are very painful for the dog. This can be avoided by ensuring a clean environment and providing a healthy diet rich in vitamins for your pet.

Herpes virus, parvovirus, distemper, influenza and canine hepatitis are viral diseases that canines are susceptible to. The most commonly associated of all viral diseases is rabies. Rabies is contracted when another infected mammal bites your dog. Prevent rabies from becoming a possibility by enlisting your dog with regular vaccination shots.

Unless there is a change in the canines environment like the atmosphere, a new visitor (person or animal), etc., any alterations in their behavior should be observed closely. Even if there are too many dog diseases to remember, taking note of common dog symptoms will go a long way in avoiding potentially fatal diseases.

Some of the changes you should watch out for are depression, anxiety, sudden weight loss, excessive trembling, frequent loss of balance, fatigue and sleepiness. When these symptoms occur, monitor their behavior for a few days and ensure that no further stressful factors enter into the equation. If there are no improvements after a few days, have him checked up. Take note when the changes started and the pattern of it for the record of your veterinarian.

Dogs cannot articulate when they are in pain; they are not equipped to adequately express any distress they may have. There are some breeds that have a high tolerance for pain which makes isolating whatever problem a difficult task for its owner. Aside from whining and howling, look at their posture. If they are stooped and lick at particular areas of their body it is probably the source of their soreness.

Other dog symptoms you should look out for are loss of appetite, bad odor from orifices, hair loss, bumps or discoloration in the skin, flu-like symptoms and vomiting. A sick dog will have trouble in his urinating; he will strain and only be able to pee in small amounts, so keep an eye on this. Check his eyes and nose for any unusual discharge as well.

Dog health problems are distressing yes, but they are often easily addressed once the condition has been correctly diagnosed. Make it a point to visit your vet regularly so any infection may be arrested in its earlier stages, thus ensuring your pet's health.




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