Being a dog owner comes with many positive Interactions. Dogs always come with plenty of excitement but can also come with some inconvenient situations. Whether a new dog or a Dog that’s been with the family for a while, you never think that the dog’s health will ever turn for the worse.
Every time your dog sees you come through the front door, it’s filled with excitement and joy. Even if you have a bad day, the dog always celebrates whenever you come home. The dog even is excited to go out for a walk, or when you feed it, their tail is wagging no matter what.
Sometimes as a dog owner, it’s difficult to understand what health issues a dog can experience as it gets older. There are symptoms that dog owners should consider about if their dog were to get sick. There are many health issues that a dog can encounter in its life, but it’s also good to know a few common health issues that a dog can experience as it lives its life.
Kennel cough
Most dog owners think a cough can only come in shelters, daycares, or enclosed areas. According to this article, A dog can get kennel cough in any setting. A cough is short for canine infectious respiratory disease complex. It’s an illness affecting the respiratory area in dogs. And any breed can get kennel cough.
symptoms include:
- Honking cough that can be described as gagging or retching.
- Coughing can get worse if your dog is doing an activity or exercising.
- In most cases the illness is mild and the dog can fully recover in 10 days.
Remedies
Most affected dogs recover fully with basic supportive care aimed at avoiding solutions that promote coughing. Dogs and severe cases can benefit from nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications. It’s rare but a dog who has a severe case may need supplemental oxygen. It’s also to suggested keep dogs in a warm environment and make sure they are rested to help prevent pneumonia.
Kennel cough can sound scary, but there are ways that a pet owner can use so that your dog doesn’t get this illness. When caught early, your dog can expect a full recovery.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis or simply arthritis, Is similar to what people can get. But dogs can get it too. The most common thing that happens to dogs when they do have arthritis is to become less active and have less interest in playing, hiking, or any walks.
According to this article, There is no cure for arthritis, and reversing the disease process is not possible. The best treatment for arthritis is prevention.
To diagnose arthritis the vet usually takes x-rays to look at the cartilage in the joint. Once diagnosed dog owners can look for ways to manage the arthritis, which include:
- Weight management.
- Controlled physical activity.
- Supplements.
- Pain medications.
- Alternative treatments such as laser treatment or joint injections.
It may be scary for a dog owner to see their pet suffer from arthritis. But, taking preventative measures to avoid arthritis as your pet gets older Would be better for you and your pet’s life.
Dog ear infections
It can be difficult to Know when your dog has an ear infection. Just like any dog owner would recognize, whining, scratching and head shaking are normal. There are common conditions that dog owners should look for when they think that there’s an ear infection.
This article shows common symptoms of:
- Head shaking
- Odor
- Pain
- Itchiness
- Dark discharge
If you didn’t know dog-shaped ear canals are L-shaped and because of that dog ears tend to hold fluid. Ear infections in dogs are typically caused by bacteria, yeast, or a combination of both.
As a dog owner, if you suspect that your dog has an ear infection be prepared to provide your veterinarian history. If the veterinarian suspects your dog does have an infection they will use a medicated ear cleanser to treat the ear infection. The veterinarian may also prescribe oral antibiotic medications for at-home use. Most ear infections resolve between one to two weeks once treatment begins.
A pet owner would never want their dog to have an ear infection but notes, this common health issue is common and can easily be treated.
Dog Allergies
Do you think your dog has allergies? Just like humans dogs can get allergies and suffer different systems according to this article.
Symptoms include:
- Diarrhea
- Red, inflamed skin
- Itchy ears
- Itchy runny eyes
- Consistent licking
Different types of allergies include skin allergies, food allergies, and any environmental allergens that can be challenging for your pet dog.
Skin Allergies can be caused by fleas, food allergies, and the environment in which they are living.
Food allergies can also be an issue for your pet just like us humans we can be allergic to food. When a dog has a food allergy they typically have itchy ears or paws and sometimes diarrhea.
Environmental allergies can be caused by dust, pollen, fungus, or mold. Just like us humans, environmental allergies are seasonal.
If you think your dog may have an allergy it’s always best to take your pet to the veterinarian. The veterinarian can prescribe allergy relief medication. If you think your dog is having a severe allergic reaction it is best that you take them to an emergency veterinarian hospital.
Oral Health
Dog’s teeth health is probably the most preventable common health problem that a pet owner can avoid. Some dog owners like to brush their dog’s teeth with toothpaste, dental chews, or dental powder. Friends of dog owners typically like to give recommendations on how to keep their dog’s mouth clean and how often it should be done.
The veterinary may recommend a deep cleaning once a year to keep your dog’s oral health at its best. Of course, the vet always has some recommendations that people may want to do but sometimes not.
According to this article, dental chews are an effective way to prevent oral disease. The article states a study was conducted between dogs who had a regular kibble diet and dogs who had a regular kibble diet with a daily Dental chew. Oral issues such as gingivitis, plaque, and calculus were better in the dental chew group than in the non-dental chew group.
For dog owners out there something for oral health is better than nothing. Looking for a dental chew that your dog may enjoy as a treat would be best for its oral health and can prevent dental disease as your pet gets older.
The Bottom Line
Keeping these common health issues in mind, your dog can live a long and healthy life. Keeping communication with your veterinarian will be the best practice to keep your dog safe and thriving as it gets older in life. These health issues can be avoidable, and keep those tails wagging for many years to come.
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