Although man and canine are certainly different, sometimes it’s incredible think about how we are alike. Like how your pup will mirror your mood, how they feel similar emotions, how they dream, and how they suffer from similar health issues. In this post, we’ll look at some of the most common canine health issues.
WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON HEALTH ISSUES IN DOGS?
Dogs, like humans, can suffer from a lot of different health issues. Knowing your dog’s breed is imperative for health. Knowing the health issues associated with your dog’s breed will help you with preventative treatment. There is a short list of common dog health issues associated with breed later in this post.
Some of the most common health issues in dogs are:
Obesity
Cancer
Arthritis
Allergies
Skin irritations and hotspots
Dental disease
Ear infections
SYMPTOMS OF HEALTH ISSUES
Recognizing the potential signs of health issues in your dog is very important, especially since some signs and symptoms can be subtle or accidentally overlooked.
A decrease in appetite
Bad breath
Trouble with moving (walking, jumping etc.)
Abnormal or excessive vocalization (whining, crying)
Excessive thirst
Excessive urination or an inability to relieve themselves
Respiratory issues (sneezing, coughing, hacking)
Lethargy
Vomiting or diarrhea
Behavioral changes or abnormalities (such as aggression)
HEALTH ISSUES BY BREED
According to Rover, the ten most common breeds of dogs are mixed breeds, Labrador Retriever, Golden-doodle, Golden Retriever, German Shepherd, Chihuahua, Shih Tzu, and the French Bulldog.
Here are the most common health issues according to each breed.
Mixed breed Mixed breeds can suffer from the diseases associated with either of their respective parents' breeds. This means that depending on the parents' breed, a mixed dog can suffer from a myriad of issues. However, there are some studies that have shown that mixed dogs suffer from less health issues than purebred dogs.
Labrador and Golden Retriever Since the Labrador and Golden Retriever are so similar, they share the most common health issues associated with the breed. Retrievers common health issues include a higher risk for cancer, ear infections, obesity, and hip dysplasia.
Goldendoodle Oh the lovely Goldendoodle, the breed made from a Golden Retriever and a poodle. The most common health issues for this breed include glaucoma, cataracts, hip dysplasia and heart disease.
German Shepherds This popular breed of working dogs is more susceptible to hip and elbow dysplasia, Gastric dilatation and volvulus (GDV), von Willebrand disease, and epilepsy, just to name a few
Chihuahua These tiny dogs are a popular breed, and they too have their own share of health issues, including a higher risk for periodontal disease, Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD), chronic bronchitis, and Valvular disease, just to name a few.
Shih Tzu Common health issues for Shih Tzus are Brachycephalic Airway Obstruction Syndrome (BAOS), dental issues, ear infections, eye issues, skin allergies, and hip dysplasia.
French Bulldog Last but not least, the French Bulldog’s health issues include Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS), eye issues, heat stroke, skin fold dermatitis, hip and elbow dysplasia, and ear infections.
PREVENTATIVE TREATMENT
Just like with most other medical issues, prevention is often a splendid solution to a health issues. But what kind of preventative measures can you take to ensure a health issue does not sneak up on your pet?
Common preventative treatment include:
Going to regular vet visits
Exercise
Having a healthy and balanced diet
Taking care of dental health
Spaying and neutering
Heartworm prevention
Vaccinations
Pest/parasite control
Getting tests done (for things such as heartworm or organ malfunction)
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
When it comes to your pup and his/her health, it is imperative that you keep and maintain regular vet checkups. This will keep your pup up to date with all their vaccinations and health care needs. Regular vet visits can also help with preventive treatment. Running tests and getting examinations on at least a yearly basis can detect potential problems early on, so you can get ahead of the issue.
Although going to the vet is definitely the best way to take care of your dog’s health, a good idea as a pet owner is to educate yourself on dog health issues, and reading this post is a great start! Start with your dog’s breed. Doing research on your pup’s breed health concerns will give you great insight into what you can expect with health issues and insights for preventative treatment. Again, consulting with your vet will help you to choose a good preventive health care plan.
Final Thoughts
Man’s best friend can have just as many health issues as humans. So, keep in mind the breed and age of your pup. The safe bet is always to ensure you go to the vet, keep regular checkups, have a preventable treatment plan, and stay vigilant for any warning signs. We hope you come back to read some more dog content from New Life K9s Blog.