As any human, pets, such as dogs, can suffer from pet health issues. It is important to learn about the common dog health issues so that you can properly care for your pet. If you feel that your dog is suffering from a dog health problem, you may want to take your dog to a vet.
Ear infections are perhaps one of the common health issues dog. Ear infections can be caused by a variety of different things, including, allergies, yeast, ear mites, bacteria, hair growth deep in the ear canal, and more. Symptoms of ear infection in a dog include head shaking or head tilting, ear odor, vigorous scratching, poor balance, swelling of the ear, and a brown, yellow, or bloody discharge. In most cases ear infections are not a serious dog health problem, however you will want to take your pet to the vet, as an ear infection does often require medication.
Parasite, such as tapeworms, roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms, are also another common dog health issue. Parasites can definitely make your dog very uncomfortable and some parasites, such as hookworms, can be fatal for dogs, especially puppies. Therefore, it is essential to let a vet treat this dog health issue as the problem will often require medication. Signs your dog may have worms include diarrhea, weight loss, a change in appetite, a rough, dry coat, and an overall poor or sickly appearance.
Lastly, skin problems are also a very common dog health issue. Fleas, for example, another very common dog health problem, that can cause skin problems. It is important to note that fleas spread very quickly: in just a few weeks one flea can easily turn into an infestation of 1,000. Fleas can make a dog very uncomfortable. Signs of fleas include excessive scratching, licking, or biting at the skin, hair loss, flea dirt, which looks like small black dots, against your dog’s skin. Luckily fleas are quite easy to treat. However, you may want to discuss different treatment options, such as topical ointments or special shampoos, with your vet. Bacterial infections can also cause skin problems, causing patches of irritated enflames skin, also known as “hot spots.” Treatment of these spots will typically involve antibiotics, anti inflammatory medication, steroids, or topical ointments, depending on the severity of the situation. Overall, it is important to seek guidance from a vet when treating health issues dogs.
