Ear Infection
With summer around the corner, you might want to take a close look at your dog’s body and examine it thoroughly; as ear infections amongst dogs are the most widely spread around that time of the year. This infection is typically caused by excess moisture inside your dog’s ear which could be taken care of by regular cleaning, grooming, and maybe even swimming. But, as we all know, dogs aren’t always down to have their ears checked so it’s understandable.
Ear infections are easily treated and aren’t worrysome which is great. Eardrops are godsent!
Cancer
Cancer has always been a life-threatening disease for humans. But what you might not now is, it’s also widely spread amongst animals as well, which means your beloved dog could potentially develop a tumor at some point in his life. Signs like swelling, fatigue, and unusual behavior are common things that you might notice in your dog upon developing a tumor, which obviously calls for medical help asap.
Reaching out to a veterinarian is your best bet but it’s important to keep in mind that in most cases, the treatments used for canine cancer don’t aim to kill the tumor but rather to tame it so that it doesn’t hinder your dog’s quality of life.
Heartworms
Heartworms, as the name suggests, is a disease in which worms develop in a dog’s heart and begin to eat away at it which slowly drains the life out of your poor baby’s body. This disease is especially dangerous because symptoms are almost always late to come out to the surface, which makes it hard to notice if you’re not fully educated on the topic.
It’s also easily transmitted; your dog could literally catch it from a mosquito bite which is a dilemma if not treated at the early stages. Regular vet check-ups are definitely a must in order to keep your doggo safe and sound so don’t slack out on that.
Ticks
Although this might not seem all that serious in comparison to other life-threatening issues on this list, it’s still something you want to look out for in order to keep your dog comfortable and happy. Ticks are essentially parasites that feed on the blood of whoever they attach themselves to (they typically target cats and dogs). The issue here isn’t the ticks themselves but the disease they could carry and transmit to your dog in the process, the most famous of which is Lyme disease.
These annoying little parasites are easy to treat, though. One visit to the nearest vet clinic and your dog will be ticks-free in no time.
Heart disease
Similar to humans, dogs are prone to develop heart-related problems as they age. As much as we would like to slow down the aging process of our little companions, it’s inevitable and we can’t really do anything about it but try to avoid potential triggers that might fasten up the pace even more. Abnormal heart enlargements are common in canines but with the right care, your little buddy can have a high living quality regardless of that.
You might want to hold off on the excessive exercising and other activities that cause your dog to exhaust their little body. Be gentle and don’t forget to shower them with love and affection.
Vomiting
Dogs are really outgoing and curious creatures. They like to sniff and lick everything they come in contact with as a way to investigate their surroundings. And sometimes, they might swallow things that do NOT belong inside their body, especially their stomach. Vomitting in dogs can be caused by a variety of different things including stomach and pancreas infection, bacteria, and parasites.
Your dog could also be vomitting due to dehydration or inappropriate diet. All of which can be easily treated by a veterinarian, so don’t worry, it’s all under control.
Arthritis
While it might not be very common in dogs, Arthritis is still a serious issue that needs to be adressed and acknowledged. It typically occurs in dogs who have been born with physical abnormalities, but it only appears years later. With that being said, an early diagnosis can definitely save up so much trouble which is why we urge you to keep a close eyes on your pets.
If your dog suffers from Arthritis we advise you to exercise them daily without going too hard considering their physical condition. Putting on some weight can definitely have a negative impact on your poor doggo.
Kennel Cough
An illness that is very prevalent amongst dogs who like to be outside often, especially around other dogs. It targets your dog’s throat which might then cause vomiting, coughing, and gagging; all of which can cause serious harm to his throat. And it could even lead to pneumia if it went untreated for too long.
Paying your local veterinary clinic a visit is definitely the way to go in this situation. But we strongly urge you to take action before things escalate; vaccine shots are available and they’re absolutely safe so make sure to vaccinate your dog to prevent them from getting the Kennel Cough.
Dental disease
If your dog is over the age of 2, there’s a good chance that he might be dealing with dental issues. A stinky breath is a pretty good sign that your dog might need to see a vet as soon as possible. Many people disregard the situation thinking that it’s just a normal thing for canines to have a bad breath but this is so far from being true. Bacteria accumilation is the number one leading cause to dental disease that starts off with a stinky breath but can develop to affect your gut health if not treated right away.
A good way to combat this issue is by cleaning your dog’s teeth regularly in order to avoid bacteria buildup and food risidue after eating.
Obesity
Obesity in dogs is one of the most serious diseases worldwide, causing health problems ranging from diabetes and high blood pressure all the way to death! It’s important not to take this lightly and to keep your dog as lean and fit as you possibly can, if you want him to linger around for long. Not only does obesity hinder dogs’ daily activities but it’s an insurmontable obstacle that affects your pup’s quality of life.
Before diving into any kind of special diet or exercise to help your dog lose weight, make sure to consult a professional in order to ensure that your dog is calm and at ease with the plan.