Dogs bring joy and warmth to our lives. They are commonly regarded as man’s best friend because of their loyalty and affectionate nature. They are givers and do not expect much in return.
Our pet dogs are completely dependant on us for their needs. It is up to us to take care of them and ensure their wellbeing.
One way to ensure their health is to be aware of the causes and symptoms of common ailments of dogs. Learning about them will enable you to take timely action if your dog suffers from any disease.
Let us take a look at the common health problems our canine friends can suffer from:
Ear Infections
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Ear infections are quite common among dogs. If your dog persistently shows the following symptoms, know that he may be suffering from an ear infection:
- Loss of balance
- Excessive tilting of the head to one side
- Visible swelling of the ear’s exterior
- Pungent smell from the ear
- Yellow or blood-like discharge from the ear
If your pet exhibits these symptoms, take him to a vet. Common ear infections can be cured by cleaning and medicating the ear canal. However, if the infection isn’t treated on time, it can become chronic. Chronic infections can only be cured through surgeries.
The common causes of ear infections are the presence of yeast, bacterial growth, and ear mites inside the ear. Growth of hair inside the ear canal can also cause infection.
Ailments of the Digestive System
Just like humans dogs suffer from digestive ailments every now and then. In most cases, these issues are resolved in a short span of time. However, if these ailments persist there might be some underlying problems that need to be addressed. You must contact a vet if your dog exhibits the following symptoms:
- Consistent diarrhea
- the appearance of blood in the stool
- vomiting
- weight loss
Parasites such as hookworms, tapeworms, whipworms, and roundworms often reside in dogs’ intestines. They cause the above-mentioned ailments of the digestive tract in dogs. A skilled vet will identify the type of parasite and prescribe medicine accordingly. Most of the time oral medication is sufficient to kill the parasite.
- We recommend you to avoid treating the dog at home and consult an experienced vet. If you are residing in Charlottesville VA, look up Autumn Trails Veterinary Center. Their team of expert vets will provide the care and treatment your dog deserves.
Urinary Tract Infection
Dogs, like humans, are susceptible to urinary tract infection. If your dog exhibits the following symptoms he might be suffering from UTI:
- The appearance of blood in the urine
- A visible sign of pain while urinating
- increased frequency of urination
- not following housetraining routine
- attempting to soothe the genital area by licking it
If these symptoms persist, consult a vet. He will perform a urine test to determine the type of infection and prescribe antibiotics accordingly.
Flea Infestation
Fleas are a common dog parasite. The following symptoms are associated with a flea infestation:
- skin irritation leading to excessive scratching or biting
- bald spots due to hair loss
- The appearance of inflamed and red areas known as Hot spots
- The appearance of black dots on dogs skin known as flea dirt
Flea infestation in dogs is treated by oral medication as well as by external application of sprays and shampoos. If a flea infestation is left untreated it can lead to infection and blood loss resulting in anemia.
Rabies
Rabies is a dangerous viral dog disease. Dogs get infected when they come in touch with another animal that is carrying this disease. Rabies causes behavioral changes in the dog and makes them hostile. Hence, a dog infected with rabies causes threats to other humans around him. Symptoms of rabies in dogs are:
- weakness
- high temperature
- fits
- hanging jaw
- inability to maintain balance
- social withdrawal or aggression
If you suspect that your dog has contracted rabies, consult a vet immediately. If rabies is left untreated it can turn out to be fatal.
