Common Dog Health Problems

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Dog health problems can be a definite worry in your life! And likely, the reason is because you simply don't know which symptoms point to what, and which "diseases" are serious or not. Don't worry - you don't have to go to vet school to get a basic knowledge about your dog's health.

I'll start with the most common dog health problems that you'll likely encounter in your pooch's life...

Fleas (Gasp! Not MY dog!)

Symptoms -> he's scratching up a storm as well as biting at himself (mostly the base of his tail, head and neck), signs of broken skin and possibly hair loss, as well as red looking skin... chances are this dog health problem is fleas!

Facts -> only about 5% of the fleas are found on your dog, the rest are in your house environment!
-> fleas can pass on tapeworms and other diseases
-> flea infestations can cause skin infections and even anemia in extreme cases
-> some dogs with flea allergy dermatitis can develop hot spots on the skin and also become smelly from infections
-> yes, you CAN get fleas from your dog!

Diagnosis -> flea dirt can be visible on your dog's skin or bedding
-> carefully combing through the fur, you may be able to see black specks scurrying for cover
-> if you think your dog has fleas, take him to the vet as soon as possible for diagnosis and proper treatment - the longer you wait, the more your pet will suffer!

Treatment -> since a female flea lays about 500 eggs, simply getting rid of the adult fleas is not enough
-> regular vacuuming in the house will help get rid of fleas - they like to hide in carpet, furniture and along baseboards... basically everywhere!
-> keep your dog's bedding clean (wash in hot water, followed by drying it in a HOT cycle) to kill any parasites hiding there
-> chemical flea treatments for your dog are available from the vet
-> natural remedies can work, as well - tea tree oil, rosemary, sweet mace and lavender are all good examples

Ear Mites -> you can't see them without a microscope, but these parasites cause a discharge in the ear which IS visibleSymptoms -> black, smelly discharge in the ear canal which looks a little like dried coffee grounds
-> the dog will scratch at his ears a lot, and shake his head

Causes - I find that the most usual cause of mites in a dog is when the ear gets wet (swimming, a bath...) and doesn't dry out properly
-> dogs with floppy ears tend to be most susceptible, as there is not as much air flow

Treatment -> take your dog to vet to make sure that you completely get rid of the mites - they like to hide in the fur, then come back later!

Diarrhea -> not a specific condition, but a very common dog health problem!

Causes -> worms
-> change in diet
-> viruses
-> spoiled or toxic food
-> allergies or food sensitivities
-> they've eaten something they shouldn't... cloth or plastic
Treatment -> put him on a 24 hour fast, but make sure he has plenty of water (diarrhea can cause dehydration); then slowly build back up to his regular feeding amount
-> if after two days it has not cleared up, call your vet... it could be something serious
-> of course, if it is bloody or explosive, call the vet immediately

Again, these are only a few of the more common dog health problems that you may encounter. Here a couple other sites that have loads of information on everything dog health related. We've found them to be extremely helpful and comprehensive:

• Dog Health Handbook - this is a comprehensive guide to the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of common canine diseases and conditions.
• Dog Health Guide - another complete resource on dog health conditions and diseases.

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