Common Dog Diseases And How You Can Protect Your Pet

If you are a dog owner, then you know that your dog is a vital part of your family. These animals have been known as ‘man’s best friend for years, and it’s no wonder; they are some of the friendliest, most loyal beasts on the planet. Therefore, as their owner it’s only natural that you want to make their lives as great as possible. This means looking after their health as you would your own, and helping them live a long and happy life. Unfortunately, dogs can’t tell you when they’re feeling sick – so you’ll need to be clued up on the most common doggy ailments.

Worms

Worms are an extremely common problem in all breeds of dog. It is likely that your dog will experience worms at least once in its life. They can be contracted in various ways, from eating a diseased rodent to coming into contact with contaminated soil. Therefore, unless you watch your dog 24/7 (not practical), there is not much you can do to stop them from getting worms. With this being said, buying dog worming treatments could help prevent your dog from contracting worms and keep them healthy. You can, however, try and treat it as soon as possible. Symptoms to look out for are your dog rubbing its bottom on the floor, otherwise known as ‘scooting’, weight loss, vomiting, and a dull coat. Worms will need to be treated by a vet, as they will need to determine what kind of worm your dog is infected with. Once they know which type it is, they can prescribe a course of medication which will destroy the infection and leave your dog healthy again.

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Fleas

Fleas are another common issue in pet dogs. They tend to strike during the summer months, as most types of fleas thrive in humid conditions. These microscopic insects have incredibly strong hind legs, which allow them to jump easily between hosts. If they spread around your home, fleas can cause everything from mild annoying itching to a serious allergic reaction. Therefore, it is best to eradicate them as soon as you suspect your pet has caught them. Websites such as pestradar can help educate you on what to do if you think your dog has fleas. At the very least you’ll want to look into flea ridding products so you can find the one suitable for your dog, and get to cleaning your dog of these pests straight away! Look into the difference between frontline plus and gold to see which could be better for your pup!

Ear infections

As dogs ears are generally quite large, they are extremely prone to developing ear infections. They can have their roots in a number of causes, including allergies, a yeast infection, mites or bacteria. Your dog might start to display unusual behavoir if it is suffering from an ear infection, such as a lack of balance and rapid eye movement. Other more common symptoms include a odor coming from the ear, head tilting or shaking and swelling of the ear. If your dog is showing any of these symptoms, take them to the vet immediately.

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Diarrhea

When your dog gets diarrhea, it goes without saying that it can be a bit of a nightmare. There can be number of things that cause diarrhea in dogs, including stress, food intolerance or the more serious parvovirus. Take your dog to the vet for treatment and ensure that he or she has plenty of fresh, clean water available – diarrhea can seriously dehydrate your dog.

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