Common Dog Diseases and Symptoms: Learn about Causes, Treatment and Prevention

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Common Dog Diseases and Symptoms

“Regular health check-ups, proper vaccinations and immediate action when you
sense
something is wrong may someday save your dog’s life.”

Learn about common dog diseases and symptoms, including treatment and prevention. The following list of dog health problems is not exhaustive, but includes many common ailments you may encounter.

Knowing all you can about your specific dog breed, or the breed you are considering, may help you head off a great number of canine health problems. Some breeds are more prone to certain dog diseases than others. Education and knowledge may also help you act swiftly if and when your best friend becomes ill.

Another great use of your time is to study the signs of a healthy dog. Knowing what’s right about your dog will make it easier to determine when something is wrong.

One more piece of advice is to find and develop a good relationship with a veterinarian. Regular health check-ups, proper vaccinations and immediate action when you sense something is wrong may someday save your dog’s life.

Ask your veterinarian questions when you see them for routine visits and health check-ups. Talk with friends, family and other dog owners whenever you are able. And learn all you can about your specific dog breed, including dog diseases and symptoms common to that breed.

Dog Health Problems, Dog Diseases and Symptoms

Dog Diseases and Symptoms
Photo courtesy of kingdingathing

Canine Ear infections
Canine ear infections are very common in dogs. Does your dog often scratch its ears or shake its head?
Does your dog constantly tilt its head towards one side? Is there a foul odor coming from its ear? Does your dog yelp in pain when you touch its
ear? If the answer to these questions is yes, your dog is likely suffering from an ear infection, one of the most common dog health problems. Read more…

Dog Allergies
Dog allergies are a very common problem. Did you know your dog could be allergic to things like food, pollen, mites, etc? Understanding what causes these allergies and the symptoms associated with them can help you get the right treatment for your furry friend. Read more…

Canine Bladder Infection
According to statistics, canine bladder infection, commonly known as Urinary Tract Infection (UTI), affects nearly 15 percent of the dog population worldwide. Not many dog owners are properly educated about this dog disease and are thus not able to get timely help for their beloved pets. Read more…

Dog Eye Problems (Infections or Inflammation)
Dog eye problems come in serious and not so serious varieties. Knowing how to identify the difference and when to seek help from your veterinarian can be critical. Read more...

Canine Arthritis (Osteoarthritis)
Canine arthritis may affect your dog later in life, much like osteoarthritis affects humans. However, this does not mean that arthritis only affects the old. Younger dogs can also develop this disease. Read more…

Canine Hypothyroidism
Canine hypothyroidism can cause your dog to gain unwanted weight for no apparent reason. If you notice your dog has put on a few pounds, even
though you have not changed its diet, your dog may be suffering from canine hypothyroidism. In other words, your dog may have an under active
thyroid gland. Read more…

Kennel Cough
The term “kennel cough” is a bit of a misnomer, leading some dog owners to falsely believe that only dogs that are kenneled can develop this extremely common disease. In fact, any dog that comes in contact with other dogs or with areas that have been recently contaminated by infected dogs is at risk. Read more…

Pyoderma
Many different diseases can adversely affect a dog’s skin and coat, and pyoderma, a bacterial infection of the skin, is one that is relatively common among dog diseases and symptoms. Read more…

Overweight Dogs
Overweight dogs are an increasingly common and serious canine health problem. According to a study by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, 44 percent of dogs are either overweight or obese. Read more…

Canine Diabetes
Canine diabetes and diabetes mellitus are one and the same. Learn the symptoms, causes, treatment and prevention options to help you and your dog. Read more…

Canine Hip Dysplasia
This canine health problem is a common cause of hind end lameness in large breed dogs, such as German Shepherds, Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers and Rottweilers. Read more…

Luxating Patella
“Patellar luxation” describe a relatively common condition wherein a dog’s kneecap, or “patella,” slips out its normal position within the knee joint. Read more…

Canine Parvovirus
Parvo is a highly contagious, potentially deadly viral disease. Puppies and young dogs that have not been adequately vaccinated are at highest risk for developing parvo. Read more…

Ringworm in Dogs
It was once believed that ringworm infection was caused by a worm. We now know that ringworm is caused by a fungal infection of the skin or nails. Read more…

Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
PRA is a genetic condition that causes poor vision and blindness in dogs. Several forms of the disease exist but no treatment exists for any of them. Read more…

Canine Distemper
This viral disease affects dogs, foxes, coyotes, wolves, skunks, raccoons, and ferrets. The disease is life threatening and highly contagious. When a dog becomes infected, he has about a 50:50 chance of survival. Read more…

Canine Lymphoma
Many different types of cancers can affect dogs. Canine lymphoma, which also goes by the names “lymphosarcoma” or “LSA,” is extremely common and eventually fatal in most cases. Read more…

Rabies
The word alone conjures up fear for both human and animal life. This is one of the most well known among dog diseases and symptoms. Annually, the disease is responsible for 40,000 to 70,000 human deaths worldwide. Read more…

Lyme Disease
Despite being caused by the same bacteria, Lyme disease in dogs and people are very different. The “bulls-eye” rash common in most human cases of the disease is not often reported in dogs. Read more…

Canine Dental Care
Neglecting canine dental care can lead to painful oral dog diseases and symptoms and can undermine your dog’s overall health. Don’t overlook the importance of your dog’s dental health. Read more…

Canine Heart Disease
More than 10 percent of dogs have canine heart disease, rising to more than 60 percent in older dogs. Learn more about heart disease in dogs. Read more…

Canine Kidney Disease
Canine kidney disease may be either acute or chronic. In either case the kidneys are unable to properly remove waste products from the blood. Read more…

Cataracts in Dogs
Cataracts in dogs often occur after a dog is six years old and are the most common of dog eye problems. Surgery has a 90-95 percent success rate. Read more…

Epilepsy in Dogs
Epilepsy is a seizure disorder in dogs. It’s not thoroughly understood but epilepsy in dogs is believed to be similar to epilepsy in humans. Read more…

Von Willebrand Disease
Von Willebrand disease is an inherited bleeding disorder in dogs, like hemophilia in humans. Dogs can bleed to death if the bleeding isn’t stopped. Read more…

Along with the dog diseases and symptoms listed here, there are many other dog health problems you and your canine companion may encounter. Education is a great place to start with any health issue. Make it a practice to learn all you can about your dog and the most common dog diseases and symptoms associated with your specific breed.

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