Dog health information

You need accurate, reliable dog health information and advice to help you keep Fido fit and happy.

Lots of things play a role in your pet`s health (or lack of it).

These include his genes, what he eats, how safe his environment is, and the level of veterinary care he receives.

When you know the major threats to his health, and how to recognize, treat and prevent them, then you can give your dog the best possible chance of living a long, happy and healthy life.

Video: Alaskan Malamute - Dog Breed Information, Origin, History, Appearance, Temperament, Health

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• Parasites
• Diseases & Health Conditions (incl. pregnancy) 
• Prevention & Safety

Common Dog Health Problems

Canine health problems come in about as many different shapes and sizes as the dogs who suffer them.

In other words LOTS!

But some issues crop up over and over again, and these are the ones you`re most likely going to run into, and need help with.

So, let`s take a look at some of the dog health issues right here.....

Parasites in Dogs

Dogs love to spend time outdoors, to sniff and lick everything, to wander through long grass, roll in dirt, taste stuff that we don`t even want to look at.... all of that is fun for them, but it can lead to some nasty little `hangers-on` going home with Fido.

• Fleas and ticks are among the most common critters which can cause trouble. Fleas breed incredibly fast and a couple of them can turn into an infestation very quickly. Left untreated this can cause serious health problems for Fido. 

  Some dogs are allergic to flea saliva which can trigger nasty skin reactions which make your poor dog miserable. Ticks are just as bad. Some ticks carry nasty diseases like Lyme Disease and Ehrlichoisis.

• Skin Mites. The third type of external parasite your dog might have to deal with are skin mites. These are tiny, tiny little things and they live on, or burrow into, your dog`s delicate skin. They can cause various types of Mange whose symptoms include serious irritation, itching, inflammation and hair loss.
• Intestinal Worms are more common in puppies than they are in well-cared for adult dogs. But if Fido has (or had) fleas he could have tapeworms. If he likes to eat other dogs poop, he could have just about any type of worms!If your dog has worms you might see one, or more, in his feces - but most likely you won`t. The best way to keep him worm-free is to make sure that he gets an annual (or even bi-annual) check-up with his veterinarian, and has a fecal test done.

• Heartworms are parasites which migrate to your dog`s heart and major organs rather than his intestines. This makes them more dangerous, and usually deadly.The key to protecting Fido from these is to use a monthly heartworm preventative.

  It`s so, SO simple and can literally save your dog`s life.

• Single-Cell Parasites. These are tiny little organisms that live in your dogs` digestive tract, and under certain conditions can cause him serious health problems.Both Coccidiosis and Giardia are caused by these types of organisms.

Canine Diseases & Health Conditions

There are a whole range of dog illnesses and diseases that you need to know about.

Many of them are highly contagious and the best way to protect Fido is to make sure he has all his puppy shots on time, and gets annual booster vaccinations according to your vet`s recommendations.

(Click here to find out how to choose the right vet for you).

Parvovirus is perhaps the most deadly canine disease that`s seen today.

Some other common (and sometimes potentially serious) dog illnesses include Distemper, Coronavirus and Kennel Cough.

These diseases often attack un-vaccinated puppies, but adult dogs who aren`t current on their shots are also at risk.

The most common symptoms of dog illnesses include diarrhea, vomiting, lethargy and discharge from nose or eyes.

Most purebred dogs have some breed-specific health issues such as hip and joint problems, eye problems, esophageal/palate problems and so on.

Large and giant breeds have more than their fair share and you can learn more about the types of health problems big dogs face.

Periodontal disease (aka dental problems) can affect more than Fido`s mouth. Rotten teeth and/or gum disease aren`t just painful, they can cause inflammation elsewhere in your dog`s body.

Dog ear problems and eye conditions can cause discomfort or worse. Ear infections are a common reaction to allergies in dogs, so if Fido spends a lot of time scratching at his ears or shaking his head, this is something you might want to consider.

Ringworm is a skin condition which is NOT actually caused by a parasite, but by a fungus.

Cherry Eye is a fairly common eye problem that affects some breeds. If you see a large, red swelling at the inner corner of one, or both, of your dog`s eyes, then he could have Cherry Eye.

Dog incontinence can happen at any age, and for a lot of different reasons.

It`s a loss of bladder (and sometimes bowel) control but is a behavioral or physical problem, not a house-training one.

Dog bladder infection, or bladder stones, is a common cause of sudden frequent urination and/or loss of bladder control.

Video: Treatment Of Kennel Cough Facts And Information For Pet Health

Canine bladder problems seem to affect female dogs more often than males , but any dog can have `leaky plumbing`!

Dogs can suffer from emotional problems just the way humans do. Separation Anxiety or Canine Depression are fairly common. 

These may start in response to a situation such as a change or loss in the dog`s life. Some dogs are naturally more anxious than others from the beginning.

Being pregnant isn`t an illness, but it is a `condition` and dogs who are carrying puppies need some extra care, and there are questions about when/if it`s a good idea to breed your pet.

Check out my An Owner`s Guide To Dog Pregnancy to learn more!

Prevention & Safety Issues

Sometimes Fido will get sick, or injured, and there was nothing you could have done to prevent it, but that`s not always the case.

Puppy proofing your home isn`t just a good idea for youngsters, sometimes older dogs can take it into their head to do something different, or dangerous, which can end badly.

Routine treatments such as vaccinations and de-worming are important for adult dogs too. An annual check-up, shots and wormer are recommended.

You can help prevent certain diseases from developing (as well as eliminating the chance of unwanted puppies) by altering your pet.. ie neutering or spaying your dog. 

Because dogs love to lick, chew and eat all sorts of things, poisoning happens more often than it should. 

There are LOTS of things in our homes that seem perfectly safe to us, but these items are toxic to our pets. They include food, drink, plants, cleaning products, candies and more.

In the case of an accident, having a first aid kit for your dog close at hand can be a Godsend. Also, this article has some great advice on what to do if your dog is bitten/injured by another dog.

If your dog gets hurt, or is suffering from certain conditions or issues, there are times when he needs a little something to help with the pain.

BUT you can`t just go giving Fido the ibuprofen you have in your cupboard! Certain human medications are very dangerous for dogs.

Find out what`s safe, and what isn`t, here... Pain Medications For Dogs.

Because veterinary care costs have risen so fast over the past decade, and are continuing to go up, it can be difficult and stressful to deal with a major illness or accident if it should happen.

You can guard against having to empty your savings account or go into debt to pay Fido`s vet`s bills by making sure he has a pet insurance policy. It can give you peace of mind, and be a real life-saver in an emergency.

In addition to mainstream medications and preventatives, there are natural products and treatments that can be effective for all types of dog health problems.

But do remember this is NOT recommended for injuries, serious illness or emergencies. For those you need a real-live vet visit!

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