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Last Updated on August 29, 2023 by Alaina
Whether your furry friend is a young pup or an older dog, they are at risk of developing various health conditions. Aside from the more serious conditions, like diabetes, there are also some more common health problems that could affect your dog to take note of.
These conditions may not be life-threatening, but it is still important that you know how to deal with them. Just like you learn about different conditions that could affect your family, it’s important you do the same for your pet.
To ensure you are aware of what signs to look for, below is a guide to common health problems that could affect your dog and what to look for. To find out more, keep reading, below:
Atopic Dermatitis
One of the most common health problems that could affect your dog is Atopic dermatitis. While dermatitis might be uncomfortable and irritating for your dog, it isn’t harmful. In fact, many skin conditions in dogs are quite common, especially during the summer months. The warm weather leads to allergies flaring up, such as allergies to grass or pollen.
Atopic dermatitis is one of many dog skin problems that is caused by allergies. Believe it or not, it’s fairly common and affects between seven and 10 percent of dogs. The symptoms to look out for are scratching of the face, sneezing, a runny nose, watery eyes, and paw chewing.
Just like hay fever only affects certain people, atopic dermatitis only affects certain dogs. However, it is a common enough condition that it is worth keeping an eye out for.
Red Eyes
Red eyes in dogs, also known as “conjunctival hyperemia,” is another of the most common health problems that could affect your dog. It can be caused by several factors that trigger irritation, inflammation, or underlying health issues.
One of the most common causes is allergies, where airborne particles like pollen or dust can lead to itchy and red eyes. Additionally, infections, both bacterial and viral, can cause the blood vessels in the conjunctiva (the thin tissue covering the front of the eye) to dilate, resulting in redness.
Dogs with anatomical features like prominent eyes, such as brachycephalic breeds like Bulldogs and Pugs, are also more susceptible to red eyes due to their eye shape making them prone to irritation and exposure.
It’s crucial to consult a veterinarian if a dog’s eyes remain red for an extended period to solve the mystery of red eyes, as it could signify an underlying condition that requires prompt attention and appropriate treatment.
Osteoarthritis
Arthritis is another of the most common health problems that could affect your dog. Just like humans, dogs are also prone to bone and joint problems, such as osteoarthritis. While this condition tends to affect older dogs, some younger dogs can also develop it, so it’s important to know the symptoms.
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disorder that affects the knees, hips, and elbows. Larger breeds of dogs, like Dobermans and Labradors, tend to be more prone to bone problems, so they can develop them at younger ages. Smaller dogs don’t tend to develop these issues until they are older, usually around 10 years of age.
In dogs, the symptoms of osteoarthritis can go unnoticed for quite some time, as the symptoms are fairly subtle. The symptoms to look out for are stiffness, walking strangely, and struggling with strenuous tasks.
Urinary tract infections
Yes, dogs can also develop these painful and pesky infections. Canine UTIs are similar to human ones, and caused by bacteria; these infections can be nasty.
How UTIs occur in dogs is the same as in humans, bacteria enter the urinary tract, breed, and cause an infection. If your dog develops a UTI, it will be uncomfortable and most probably, will also be in pain.
When it comes to UTIs in dogs, the symptoms to look out for are crying or whimpering when urinating. As well as loss of bladder control, difficulty urinating, and bloody or cloudy urine.
Final Thoughts on Common Health Problems That Could Affect Your Dog
While many other conditions could arise, these are some of the most common health problems that could affect your dog.
If you notice that your furry friend is unwell, then don’t hesitate to take them straight to the vet. Whether it is one of the above common health problems that could affect your dog or not, when it comes to your pet’s health, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.