Dog health problems can crop up at any stage of a dog's life.
About Dog Health Problems
The pet that happily goes through life without ever experiencing one or more of the myriad dog health problems these animals can be prone to is a rare pet indeed. More likely, most dogs will face at least one minor health issue at some point in their lives.
Dog health problems can range from the mild to the severe, and most fall into at least one of the following major categories:
- Injury
- Illness
- Infection
- Infestation
Common Health Issues
Although there are many illnesses and other conditions that can adversely affect your dog's health, some are more common than others.
The following table reflects many of the most prevalent diseases, injuries, and chronic conditions that our beloved canines face.
Condition | Probable Causes |
Allergies | Immune system response to food, plants, parasites, pollens, mites, molds. |
Anal Gland Problems | Due to infection or impaction |
Arthritis | May be hereditary or brought on by obesity. |
Bloat | Specific cause unknown, but may be brought on by food allergies, or hereditary factors. |
Bowel Obstructions | Bones and other items lodged in the intestines. |
Broken Bones | Low calcium intake, injury. |
Brucellosis | Contact with infected bodily fluids. |
Cancer | Hereditary factors, exposure to known carcinogens. |
Canine Diabetes | Inability of the pancreas to produce proper amounts of insulin. |
Canine Epilepsy | Misfired electrical signal caused by brain lesions. |
Canine Hip/Elbow Dysplasia | Hereditary factors, malformation of joints. |
Cataracts | Eye irritants, old age. |
Choking | Blockage of the windpipe caused by food, aspirated liquids, and other items. |
Constipation | Dehydration, bowel obstructions. |
Coronavirus | Exposure to infected animals, and body fluids. |
Cushing's Disease | Over-production of cortisol by the Hypothalamus gland that interrupts normal brain communications. |
Deafness | Congenital defects, chronic ear infections. |
Diarrhea | Bacterial/Viral infection, change of diet. |
Distemper | Ingesting/Inhaling virus from stools, mucus, and vomit of infected animals. |
Dog Flu | Viral respiratory infection. |
Ear Infections | Build up of fluids and waxy secretions in the ear canal that promotes bacterial growth. |
Ear Mites | Exposure to other infested animals. |
Electrical Shock | Chewing on live electrical cords. |
Eye Infections | Ingrown eyelashes, accidental damage to eye tissues leading to secondary bacterial infection. |
Flea Infestation | Exposure to grassy areas, other infested animals. |
Frostbite | Over-exposure to extremely cold temperatures, neglect by owner. |
Heart Disease | Congenital disorders, obesity, hereditary factors. |
Heatstroke | Over-exposure to high temperatures, leading to dehydration. |
Hot Spots | Secondary condition to allergies and parasitic infections, brought on by licking, scratching and chewing. |
Hyperglycemia | Body is unable to properly use insulin, related to obesity and diabetes. |
Hypoglycemia | Malfunction of the pancreas leads to low blood sugar levels. |
Hypothermia | Loss of body heat brought on by exposure and/or neglect. |
Kennel Cough | Exposure to airborne bacteria, and viruses. |
Leptospirosis | Bacterial infection brought on by exposure to infected body fluids. |
Liver Disease | Hereditary factors, viral/bacterial exposure, Hepatitis. |
Lyme Disease | Infection cause by the bite of an infected tick. |
Obesity | Many causes including over-eating and lack of exercise, and thyroid gland malfunctions. |
Parvovirus | Exposure to infected animals and body fluids/stools. |
Periodontal Disease | Gum infections brought on by build up of harmful bacteria, plaque, and tartar. |
Progressive Retinal Atrophy | Deterioration of the retina, hereditary factors. |
Pyometra | Bacterial infection of the uterus sometimes contracted through breeding, spontaneous abortion, and retained placentas. |
Rabies | Exposure to the rabies virus through the bite of an infected animal or exposure to infected body fluids. |
Seizures | Brain lesions, poisoning. |
Skin Infections/Diseases | Parasitic infections, allergies. |
Sting Complications | Allergic reaction to venom, causes mild to life threatening immune responses. |
Suffocation | Blockage of the windpipe, newborns being laid on by Dam, severe allergic reactions. |
Vomiting | Dog flu, viruses, bacterial infections, change of diet, garbage eating, poisoning. |
Worms | Parasitic infestation brought on by ingesting worm ova found in infected dirt, stools and vomit. |
Preventative Measures
While it isn't always possible to keep your pet perfectly healthy, following these guidelines should give your pet an advantage over becoming ill.
- Always offer your dog the best nutrition possible.
- Make sure your pet gets plenty of appropriate exercise.
- Follow your vet's vaccination recommendations, and follow through with annual well-dog check ups.
- Have your dog checked annually for intestinal worms and de-wormed if necessary.
- Have your pet checked annually for Heartworms, and keep him on preventative during peak season.
- Keep your dog clean and groomed to lessen the chance of skin infections, diseases, and parasitic infections.
- Brush your dog's teeth every week to reduce the chances of periodontal disease.
- Don't forget to give your pet lots of affection and firm but fair discipline to help keep him mentally healthy as well.