The Most Common Dog
Health Issues
There comes a time when you start
asking yourself if Fido is healthy and what to do in case your furry friend
falls ill. Knowing a bit about the most common dog conditions is always helpful
for catching the symptoms early and diagnosing these problems. Moreover, the
earlier you take your dog to the vet, the less costly treatments will be,
especially if you also get pet insurance.
What Are the Most Common Dog Conditions?
While there are certain conditions
that prevail in specific dog breeds, there are also some health problems that
usually top the list regardless of the dog’s pedigree. Here are some of the
most frequent dog health problems.
Digestive Problems
Digestive problems are some of the most
common reasons dog owners visit the vet’s office. These problems can be
accompanied by different symptoms such as diarrhea or vomiting and may have
different causes. After examining the dog and carrying out certain tests, if
necessary, the vet can establish the potential cause and recommend a treatment.
Ear Infections
Dogs, especially those with long ears can
often develop ear infections due to improper hygiene or other problems such as
allergies. While it’s important to keep the dog’s ears dry inside when you wash
them, it’s equally essential to go to the vet if the dog scratches their ears or
has a discharge.
Eye Conditions
There are many conditions that can affect
dogs’ eyes such as cataracts, dry eye, glaucoma, corneal ulcer, cherry eye, and
others. Some of these only require eye drops as treatment, which you should
easily be able to find in any vet’s office.
Skin Conditions and Allergies
Many dogs experience skin rash due to
different underlying conditions. Allergies are one of the most common causes of
skin problems. Some dogs are intolerant to certain types of foods and need
specific diets to mitigate their skin eruption. Based on the pet’s breed and
symptoms, the vet will be able to indicate the best treatment.
Arthritis
This problem usually occurs in dogs as they
get older. Arthritis affects the joints that are subject to inflammation and
degeneration. Larger dogs are more prone to suffer from this disease due to
their size and the weight their ligaments have to bear. There are different
preventive measures to help postpone the onset of this disease, such as
swimming, exercising, and giving your dog healthy and balanced food.
Cancer
Just like humans, dogs can suffer from
cancer. This disease often affects older dogs and one of the most frequent
types of cancer among these pets is skin cancer. Therefore, check out the dog’s
skin regularly and schedule an appointment with the vet if you see any strange lumps
or spots.
UTI
Urinary tract infection (UTI) is common in
dogs, especially in older ones. Just like in humans, the signs of infection
include blood in the urine or frequent urination. If your dog shows these symptoms
or seems to experience pain while urinating, it’s time for a vet visit.
Other Common Health Problems Affecting Dogs
Flea and Ticks
There are many treatment types for these
pesky parasites that make Fido scratch continuously. Left untreated, fleas and
ticks can cause other health problems such as infections.
Kennel Cough
This common condition is very contagious. Dogs,
even those living indoors, can catch it during their daily walk. As the name
indicates, this disease leads to coughing. The good news is that there is a
vaccine for it.
Obesity
While obesity is not a condition itself, it
can cause or aggravate multiple health problems such as arthritis or heart
disease. If your dog is overweight or obese, a vet can recommend a specific
diet that can help them lose weight and avoid more serious health problems
further down the line.
Parasitic Worms
One of the common threats dog owners dread
is heartworm. This is a parasite that can be transmitted by mosquitos if the
dog gets bitten. The parasite can reach the heart and cause complications. This
disease usually occurs when traveling in areas where it is present. There is a
preventive treatment for this parasite.
Bone Fractures
Dogs can get bone fractures during accidents or even while at play. If your dog is limping or whining
when you touch them, it could be suffering from a bone fracture.
Dog Treatment Costs
While some medical costs
associated with dog health problems are lower than others, it’s always useful
to have pet insurance to cover a part of these expenses. Here are some
approximate medical costs related to dog health care.
·
X-rays:
$250 -$500 (based on their number)
·
CT
scans: $1,000 - $3,000
·
MRI:
$3,000 - $4,500
·
Laser
therapy: $300 - $400
·
Acupuncture
therapy: $80-$100
·
Allergy
tests: $300
·
Infection
treatment: $200
·
Surgery: $3,000 - $10,000 (depending on the condition)
How to Treat and Prevent Common Dog Health Issues
Each health problem dogs can suffer from
requires different treatment and only a specialist can give you the precise
medication or recommend a certain type of intervention.
For example, cancer in dogs has the same
treatment types as in humans (e.g., chemotherapy, radiation therapy, etc.). For
allergies and infections, vets can prescribe medication. Obesity and some skin
problems can be treated with specific diets.
No matter the disease, it’s important to go
to the vet as soon as the first signs appear so that they can diagnose the
condition fast and start administering the necessary treatment.
Since the cost of medical health care for
dogs can be overwhelming, it’s important to get pet insurance. Dog insurance
only costs around $50 per month and it can help you pay for a wide number of
injury and disease-related veterinary costs.
Conclusion
There are many types of conditions that can affect dogs, from infections to skin problems and more
serious diseases such as arthritis or cancer. These conditions can require thousands of dollars in
treatment, which is why it’s worth getting pet insurance to be able to partially cover these costs.
){kind=logo}
)
){kind=icon}
){kind=icon}
){kind=icon}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=logo}
)
)
){kind=logo}
)