The Most Common Dog Health Problems and What to Do

It can be a very difficult experience when your pet becomes unwell, especially as you have no way of communicating with them to explain to your dog that they will feel better soon. Knowing what to do when your dog experiences a health problem helps you to act quickly to ensure they are back to full health, wagging their tail soon.

1. Skin Issues

Many different breeds of dog experience skin issues, the signs of which can include:

· Itching
· Scratching
· Flaky or scaly skin
· Red or inflamed skin
· Loss of hair

Your dog might experience skin issues due to an allergy, a parasite, or a skin infection. If you notice your dog scratching or chewing at their skin, you should see a vet who might recommend medication, special shampoo, or lifestyle changes.

2. Ear Infections

If you notice your dog is shaking their head or scratching its ears more than normal, this might be a sign that they have an ear infection. Ear infections can also be accompanied by discharge or a bad odor. Ear infections can be very uncomfortable for your dog so make sure to take them to the vet to receive the right medication.

3. Urinary Tract Infections

If your dog is peeing in the house, has increased thirst, lethargy, or blood in its urine, then this might be a sign of a UTI. However, a urinary tract infection can be a symptom of other health issues such as kidney disease or diabetes, so make sure that you take your dog to the vet so that they can check their urine.

4. Diarrhoea

If your dog experiences one or two bouts of diarrhoea, then this is usually nothing to worry about. However, you should keep a watchful eye over your dog to make sure they recover; it is also good to make sure they have enough water and maybe offer them some diarrhoea treatment for dogs to ease any discomfort in dogs diarrhoea.

While diarrhoea is usually nothing to worry about in dogs, if it continues over a long time or is accompanied by vomiting, it can be a sign of something more serious. Therefore, if your dog’s diarrhoea persists, is accompanied by vomiting or lethargy, you should take your dog to the vet.

5. Parasites

Parasites are an all-too-common occurrence for dogs; they can come in many different shapes and sizes. Some of the most common parasites to affect dogs include fleas, ticks, heartworms, and intestinal worms.

Luckily there are ways of preventing parasites in dogs. Your dog could wear a tic collar and receive regular treatments to prevent them from catching tics or worms. If you do find a tick on your dog, this is nothing to worry about. You can easily remove a tic at home, but you need to make sure that the whole of the tic is removed, as a head left in the body can cause infection. If you suspect your dog has worms, you should take them to the vet for a check-up.

Thanks to Irina