It’s very unlikely that your dog is never going to get sick. It might be something that makes it feel a little out of sorts for a day or so, or it could be something much more serious – or anything in between. The point is, if you own a dog, you should expect it to be unwell every once in a while, and it’s crucial you get it checked out as soon as possible so that, should any treatment be necessary, it can begin right away. With that in mind, here are some of the most common health concerns in dogs to help you understand when there might be a problem.
Cataracts
Cataracts are a common issue for dogs, especially as they get older. When they have cataracts – which you’ll be able to spot as they make the eye look cloudy – they will be unable to see very well and could go blind altogether. This will have a detrimental effect on your pet’s quality of life and could even be dangerous.
Even before the cloudiness takes hold, you might be able to spot a gray or blue area within the center of the eye, although this is hard to detect without specialist equipment.
If you notice that your dog is bumping into things or that its eyes don’t look as clear as they once did, you should make an appointment with your vet. Cataracts can sometimes be removed, but your vet will determine whether this is the right course of action for your dog.
Arthritis
Arthritis means that your dog’s joints are no longer as flexible as they used to be. It is said that around one-fifth of dogs suffer from arthritis, and although it’s something most commonly associated with older dogs, it can develop at any time. Arthritis is a problem not just because of a lack of mobility but because it is painful. It usually affects the elbows, knees, shoulders, and hips.
If your dog is developing arthritis, you’ll be able to see it, as it will be much slower when moving around and will be generally less active.
Arthritis can come about due to obesity in some cases, as there is too much pressure on the joints. Weight loss arthritis management in dogs is therefore crucial, especially if, when they develop it, they can’t exercise as much as they once did.
Ear infections
One of the most common conditions that dogs develop at all stages of their life and at all times of year is an ear infection. If your dog has long ears that hang down, they are much more susceptible to these infections, although any dog can develop them.
The most likely reason for an ear infection is that something has fallen into the ear canal and is causing irritation. This could be a bit of grit or dirt, a seed or a small leaf, or even a blade of grass. It could be anything that a dog might pick up when generally roaming around.
The big sign that your dog has an ear infection is that it will be pawing at its ear or rubbing it along the ground. You might also smell a bad odor coming from the ear.
Ear infections are generally easy to deal with; you’ll need to visit the vet to obtain antibiotic drops to use. This should clear up the problem quickly.
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