Guest piece:

If you have a dog, it’s essential to check the health of your pet to make sure he’s feeling good. Even if your pet has health problems, it doesn’t mean it’s the end of the world. It’s important to track the problem at the early stages so you could deal with it. 

Health problems are a normal thing, but you need to be aware of the signs and symptoms. There are many health problems and they are surprisingly common for pets. But you need to educate yourself about what illnesses your dog may suffer from. Here are some most common health problems that you need to be aware of if you are a dog owner. 

Cataracts

It’s one of the most unpleasant and annoying diseases since it affects the eyesight. It is a disease that affects people as well, and it may not always be caused by old age. Cataracts could be triggered by eye traumas, other diseases. Yes, most of the cases are caused by old age, but even newly born puppies may suffer from cataracts. 

Ear Infection

It’s a very unpleasant case that may be caused by various factors. One of the most common factors is dirt. If your pet often plays outside, dirt, leaves, and other objects may cause an infection. If your dog keeps pawing his ear, then you should check his ears. The best way to avoid infections is to regularly clean the pet’s ears. It’s easy to do, and it will make a big difference for your pet. 

Arthritis

This problem is common for dogs of old age. Unfortunately, it’s a common problem and most dogs suffer from it at some point in life. If you see that your favorite pet has difficulties in getting on his paws, and is less active, then this might be a sign. It’s a painful illness, but it’s often hard to tell if your dog has it. Dogs tend not to show that they suffer from pain. If you notice that your dog is less active, show him to a vet. A healthy diet and some activities will help your dog.

Kennel Cough

It’s another common disease, but mostly among dogs who have been living in shelters or other similar dog accommodations. It’s similar to what humans experience when we catch a cold. It’s important to show your pet to a vet, so he will prescribe a decent treatment. In most cases, good food and plenty of water help dogs recover from illness. Sometimes a veterinarian may prescribe antibiotics, but that’s only if the case is really serious. 

Obesity

It shouldn’t be taken lightly since it may cause heart and kidney diseases, arthritis, and many other health problems. Make sure your pet sticks to a healthy diet.

Parasites

This is a common cause, especially, if your dog is often playing outside. The most common parasites are fleas, ticks, worms, and ear mites. It might seem like no big deal, but your dog may suffer serious consequences if you won’t deal with it. For example, ear mites can cause a loss of hearing if they are not treated. 

It’s easy to treat all these parasites, so make sure you check your dog’s condition. It’s essential to check the dog’s ears, if they have dirt and it keeps being produced, it might be caused by ear mites. If your dog keeps pawing himself, those might be fleas. The best way to avoid such problems is to regularly check your dog’s condition. And to avoid worms, at least once every half a year use special meds.

Diarrhea

It’s a common problem for all pets. Usually, the cause of such a problem is bad food. Sometimes, it may be caused by an allergy. Unfortunately, it may also be caused by more serious health problems, especially, if your pet sticks to a healthy diet, and diarrhea persists for more than a week. In this case, make sure you show your pet to a vet.

Heartworm

It’s a common problem for dogs, but can be prevented if your dog is vaccinated. The worm will keep growing inside your pet’s heart, it will keep feeding on the dog’s blood. If not treated, the dog can die. That’s why it’s so important to vaccinate your dog so he won’t suffer from this serious illness. 

Broken Bones

Dogs have this tendency not to show that they suffer. But in fact, your dog could fall from somewhere, get hit by a car, etc. If you pet your dog and hear whining or your dog tries to avoid your touch, then the poor thing may suffer from broken bones. 

Cancer

Just like humans, dogs may suffer from all forms of cancer. Even if your dog is not too old, regularly check his health condition by examining his skin and ears. If you notice lumps or spots, you may need to visit your vet.

Author’s Bio

Daniel Witman is a passionate journalist who has contributed to major media publications. He enjoys writing about eSports and other topics that bother modern men. Currently, he’s serving as an editor for dota2-bets.net.