9 Most Common Health Problems In Dogs 2024

1. Dental disease

Owners should regularly check their dog’s teeth and gums for infection or signs of disease. Dental disease is a painful issue, and if it goes untreated, it can result in problems with the kidneys and can even lead to heart disease. 

Poor dental hygiene is the leading cause of tooth and gum disease in dogs — so brush your dog’s teeth daily and give them dental chews to ensure that they stay healthy.

Symptoms

-Bad breath

-Pain or difficulty eating

-Plaque and tartar

-Red or bleeding gums

-Wobbly, missing or broken teeth

-Excessive drooling

-Swelling on the face

-Bloodstained saliva

Treatment

If you suspect that your dog has dental disease, you should immediately get them checked over by a vet. Your dog may be prescribed anti-inflammatory pain relief to make them comfortable, as well as antibiotics to fight infection. In bad cases, some dogs may require dental surgery to remove teeth. In these cases, your dog will need a general anaesthetic. 

2. Obesity

Dog obesity is a huge problem for UK pet owners, and it can have long-term effects. Being obese can put your dog at risk of health problems and is likely to shorten their lifespan. 

Each breed of dog will have a different ideal shape and weight, so familiarise yourself with what your particular dog needs so that you can recognise if your dog is starting to put on weight. 

Causes

-Bad diet

-Lack of exercise

-Hormonal issues

-Health problems

Treatment

The best way for your dog to lose weight is to decrease their calorie intake and increase the amount of exercise they do. Try stepping up from one walk a day to two, and with the advice of your vet, look to decrease portion sizes and change feeding times. You can also begin to try different types of treats. 

As with anything to do with your pet’s health, it’s always a good idea to consult a vet, who can suggest a diet for your dog and will support you throughout the weight loss process.

3. Ear infections

Ear infections are the second most common health problem that dogs may face, and male dogs are at a higher risk of having an ear infection than female dogs may be. Many things can cause an ear infection, including ear mites, skin problems or excess ear wax. 

dog ear infections only affect the outer ear canal, but if they are left untreated, the infection can spread into the middle or inner ear and become more difficult to remedy.

Symptoms

-Ear scratching

-Head shaking

-Loss of balance

-Head tilt

Treatment

If you suspect your dog has an ear infection, you should contact your vet straight away. This painful infection needs prompt treatment to ensure that your four-legged friend can feel their best. 

Your vet may prescribe ear drops, anti-inflammatory pain relief, antibiotic tablets, or treating the underlying cause. Although you may be instructed to clean your dog’s ears, you should never use cotton wool buds — this can make the problem worse. Always take your vet’s advice on how to clean their ears.

 4. Arthritis

Arthritis is a common condition that can result in stiff or swollen joints. It can be very painful and can result in reduced mobility. Arthritis will get worse over time, so it must be treated to slow the disease’s progression. 

Whilst most bones in a joint have a smooth surface, an arthritic joint has an uneven surface, which means that the bones rub together — causing pain to your dog. Over time, arthritic joints become thickened with the production of new bone.

Symptoms

-Stiffness

-Limping

-Narrowing of the hips and rear

-Slow walking

-Lethargy

-Licking joints

-Swollen joints

Treatment

Some breeds of dogs are at a higher risk of arthritis than others. Labradors, German Shepherds and Springer Spaniels should all be monitored for arthritis. However, sensible exercise may alleviate the risk. 

If you suspect your dog to have arthritis, visit a vet to receive a proper diagnosis and to work out a treatment plan. Your dog may be prescribed anti-inflammatories, joint supplements, hydrotherapy or even surgery to remedy the issue.

5. Allergies

Just like humans, dogs can develop allergies. Allergic reactions are triggered by day to day encounters with allergens.  

If you believe your dog is suffering from an allergy, you must seek urgent veterinary attention. Whether it’s a skin allergy, a food allergy or a severe allergic reaction, being aware of the symptoms could save your dog’s life. 

Symptoms

-Itching

-Rashes

-Ear infections

-Overgrooming

-Hair loss

-Dermatitis

-Vomiting

-Diarrhoea or excessive flatulence

-Breathing difficulties

-Collapse

Treatment

If you suspect your pet is having any type of allergic reaction, you must seek urgent veterinary assistance. Acting quickly can save your pet’s life. 

Less worrisome symptoms will result in your dog being prescribed medication like steroids or antihistamines before being monitored. However, if your dog is experiencing severe reactions, they will need intensive lifesaving treatment via a fluid drip.

 6. Kennel Cough

Kennel Cough is an infection of the airways that can cause a bad cough in dogs. Some dogs may also experience a high temperature or a loss of appetite as a result of the condition. This is a contagious condition, and so dogs with suspected kennel cough should be kept away from other pets in the home, as well as staying away from public areas. 

Symptoms

-Persistent hacking cough

-Lethargy

-Reduced appetite

-High temperature

Treatment

Most dogs that have kennel cough will recover at home within 1-3 weeks, without any medication. 

However, if your dog appears unusually unwell, you should visit your vet. The vet may prescribe anti-inflammatories for your dog. In most cases, antibiotics will not work to treat kennel cough as the illness is caused by a virus.

7. Vomiting/diarrhoea

Vomiting and diarrhoea can be common symptoms in dogs, often caused by eating something harmful. However, there are many causes to consider, so careful monitoring is vital to ensure that the problem doesn’t get out of hand. 

In most cases, vomiting and diarrhoea will clear up without treatment within 24 hours, but some cases will require treatment from a vet.

Causes

-Gut blockage

-Twisted stomach (GDV)

-Worms

-Travel sickness

-Food allergies

-Diabetes

-Colitis

-Liver disease

Treatment

If your dog has diarrhoea or has vomited once, but is otherwise behaving normally, you may want to try treating them at home. This means feeding them a bland diet in small portions, as well as rehydrating them with plenty of water. Once your dog is feeling better — usually 1-2 days — you can begin to give them normal food again. 

However, if the period of diarrhoea and sickness is lasting longer than this you should seek veterinary treatment, as your dog may quickly become dehydrated and weak.

 8. Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis refers to the swelling of the eye — a symptom that can be caused by many different illnesses such as bacterial infection, allergies or injuries. If your dog has red, itchy or weeping eyes, they likely have conjunctivitis. 

If your dog has anything wrong with their eyes, you should immediately contact a vet. Your dog’s sight is crucial to the way that they live their lives, so don’t take any risks.

Symptoms

-Pink or red eyes

-Weepy eyes

-Swollen eyes

-Closed eyes

-Cloudy eyes

-Itchy eyes

-Not eating properly

Treatment

If you notice that your dog is suffering from any of the above symptoms, you should immediately contact a vet. Conjunctivitis can have long-term effects including damaged sight or the loss of an eye, so you must have this treated in the right way. Your vet will be able to check for the cause of conjunctivitis to treat the root of the problem as well as the symptom.

 9. Incontinence

If you have noticed wet patches on your dog’s bedding or fur, they may be suffering from incontinence. It’s important to know that even in an older dog, incontinence is not normal. 

Symptoms

-Discomfort when passing urine

-Urinating more frequently than usual

-Stiffness in the back legs

-Licking back end

-Drinking more than usual

-Changes in appetite

Treatment

Incontinence can often be a symptom of another problem. To treat it, a vet will need to find the root cause. Many muscles and nerves may affect the urinary tract, so whether it’s a congenital problem, a urine infection or a spinal issue, it’s important to get a proper diagnosis and treatment from a vet.

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