Sadly, health issues affecting our pets affect people of all ages, including young children and the elderly. Even though most pet owners make every effort to keep their family friendly dog healthy and happy, there are some circumstances that are simply out of their control.
It is essential to acquire knowledge regarding the conditions, illnesses, and diseases that are most likely to affect our pets. Consult your veterinarian as soon as possible in any case. Your dog’s breed, size, age, and overall health will all be taken into consideration in the treatment and management plan that your vet develops for your dog, WiggleLess.
In this post we will see 5 Health Issues in Dogs.
Let’s see together….
1. Cataracts
Cataracts can affect dogs of any age. This can really change how older dogs see, which is a big problem for their health. A cataract is an opaque or cloudy lens that blocks light from reaching the retina and impairs vision.
Cataracts can form in one or both eyes can progress slowly or quickly and can cause vision loss or even blindness. Cataracts can occur as a result of disease or after an injury to the eye. Dogs may have cataracts even before they are born, or they may develop in the first few weeks of a puppy’s life.
Symptoms:
- Inability to navigate in bright light
- Eye inflammation
- Behavioral shifts
- Hesitancy when moving
- Excessive blinking
- Bumping into furniture
2. Arthritis
The condition known as arthritis, which refers to abnormal changes in a joint, is very prevalent in older dogs. In fact, arthritis affects one in five Australian dogs at some point in their lives.
It can cause permanent joint damage and is a major cause of chronic pain in older dogs. The hips, knees, shoulders, and elbows are the joints in dogs that are most frequently affected. The immune system defect that causes the body to attack its own tissues in the joints is thought to be the root cause of most forms of arthritis. This could be passed down through genes.
Your dog will be significantly less active than they used to be and will take longer to get up, especially in the morning or in cooler weather. It can be difficult to examine if your dog has this disease. Your dog might be able to hide its pain and discomfort, even though it is very painful, especially in the beginning.
Symptoms
- Decreased range of motion
- Swelling
- Redness
- Pain
- Stiffness
3. Diarrhoea
Diarrhoea is very common in dogs due to the fact that it can be caused by a variety of things, some of which are serious, while others are as simple as a change in diet.
Dehydration may develop in more severe cases, which could result in more serious health issues like weakness, intolerance to exercise, collapse, and seizures. Diarrhoea usually goes away with time, a healthy diet, and plenty of rest. Chronic diarrhea, on the other hand, could be a sign of something else going on, like inflammatory bowel disease, kidney or liver disease, infections, or even cancer.
Visit your veterinarian for a checkup if the condition continues for more than a week.
Symptoms
- Weight loss (with chronic diarrhea)
- Drooling as a result of nausea
- Fever or hypothermia
- Increased urgency to go outside
- Painful abdomen
- Weakness/lethargy
- Dehydration
- Vomiting
- Dry heaving or retching
- Acute diarrhea, ranging from pipe stream watery to pudding-like in consistency
4. Kennel cough
The term “kennel cough” refers to any infectious or contagious condition affecting dogs in which coughing is one of the main clinical symptoms. “Infectious tracheobronchitis” is another name for this condition.
Dogs that have spent a lot of time in crowded places, like the animal shelter, the vet, or pet housing, frequently experience this. Unfortunately, it is a highly contagious disease that easily spreads between animals through contact with contaminated surfaces (water, a food bowl, or another dog) or droplets in the air.
Fortunately, despite its unpleasant odor, kennel cough is comparable to the common cold for us and rarely causes serious illness or death. If your pet has kennel cough, the best treatment is to give them plenty of water, good food, and rest. If your dog’s condition is particularly severe, your veterinarian may prescribe antibiotics to help clear it up.
Symptoms
- Runny eyes and nose
- Lack of appetite
- Depressed behavior
- Swollen tonsils
- Wheezing
5. Obesity
Obesity is another common condition that affects all dogs but is frequently not taken seriously. A dog’s health and longevity are negatively impacted by excessive fat. As many as 50% of dogs are currently overweight, according to studies conducted overseas. Obese dogs are more likely to get: many different kinds of cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure.
One of the leading factors in the development of serious chronic diseases in dogs is obesity. Your dog runs the risk of developing a wide range of related conditions, including heart disease, kidney disease, arthritis, and many others, if they are overweight.
It is believed that controlling the dog’s diet and exercise routine can reverse 95 percent of obesity cases. If you notice your dog might be overweight, talk to your personal vet.
Symptoms:
- Owners can’t see or feel their dog’s ribs, spine, or waistline
- They need help getting in and out of cars
- Their dog won’t move or play games
- They don’t want to go for walks or are late
- They have a bigger, rounder face
- They pant a lot
- Their stomach is sagging
- They are tired
I hope this information will be helpful for you.