Dogs Health Problems
The old saying is that the dog is man's best friend. However, since your best friend can't talk, it's up to you to judge when he is sick. Dogs may be subject to a number of different health problems. Here are a few examples of health problems a dog can experience.
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Allergies
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An allergy is a disorder of the immune system. Just as in humans, a dog can have an allergic reaction to his food, his environment, even to flea and tick bites. An allergy isn't a condition that can be cured. However, your vet can help you manage your dog's allergies with medication. Some signs of allergies include hair loss or dermatitis, swelling or hives, scratching, chewing on feet, rubbing the muzzle on the carpet or runny nose.
Bone Issues
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While some breeds such as the greyhound or basset hound are prone to orthopedic problems, other dogs can develop osteoporosis or stress fractures due to obesity and inactivity. A major orthopedic problem for many dogs is hip or elbow dysplasia. Corrective surgery, casts and splints, and physical therapy are frequently prescribed by vets to take care of bone issues.
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Cancer
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Cancer can affect every major organ and tissue in dogs. As in humans, chemotherapy and surgery are the major treatments for malignant cancers. The focus on cancer care for dogs is to prevent pain, dehydration through vomiting and starvation.
Parasites
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Parasite problems in dogs include heartworms, fleas and ticks that can lead to flea and tick borne diseases such as Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever or Lyme Disease and parasitic worms. Prevention may take the form of repelling fleas and ticks with spray treatments such as Frontline, internal medications such as Ivermectin or Advantix, or over-the-counter flea collars. Other methods include killing parasites that are on your pet with shampoos or parasite dips. Once your pet develops internal parasites such as worms, the vet may prescribe a medicine to kill these parasites.
Mange
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The most famous skin disease that plagues dogs is known as mange. Mange is caused by mites that live in the dog's hair follicles. Most dogs have these mites, but their immune systems are healthy enough to fend off the effects of the mites. Dogs that are very old or young, or otherwise have compromised immune systems, are most likely to develop mange. The best treatment for mange is to strengthen the dog's immune system.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Photo by Bodlina. Permission to use granted under the GNU Free Documentation License.
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Comments
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Our male dog is 12 years old and has never been spayed. What type health problems should be expect?
