5 Common Dog Health Problems
Owners need to be aware of what their dog is like when fully fit. This will help them identify, quickly, if something has changed that might need attention either by the owner or a vet.
Dog Anal Gland Problems
There are two small sacs located at either side of the anus which lie at the end of digestive tract. They are largely obsolete in the domesticated dog. They contain a foul smelling fluid. This fluid is normally released when the dog has a bowel movement. Unfortunately, the entrance to these sacs can become blocked. The trapped fluid can then become infected, and cause an abscess, if the fluid is not released. A sign of this will be your dog scooting or rubbing its bottom against the ground. The glands can be emptied by the vet quite easily and quickly.
Dog foot problems
You need to check the pads and the webbing between the toes on a regular basis. Excessive cracking, a cut to the pad or to the webbing and even a thorn in the actual pad could all cause lameness in your dog. Depending on the seriousness of the injury, a visit to the vet might be needed. Interdigital cysts which are inflamed and painful swellings that appear on the upper surface and between the toes. Cysts cause lameness in your dog. The cause of these cysts is thought to lie with the sweat glands. The cyst can become infected if not treated. Treatment from your vet is required, usually in the form of antibiotics.
Dog digestion problems
Diarrhoea is an clear indicator of dog digestive problems. Many illness could be the catalyst and will need your vets attention. The frequency with which your dog passes faeces and their consistency should be noted to see when changes occur. Initial steps to cure the problem would be withholding food for 12 hours, to give the intestines of your dog a break. Water should always be available at this time. Once feeding starts again give small quantities of cooked egg or fish with boiled rice.
Small quantities of blood in faeces may just come from blood vessels in the anus and do not mean anything serious is wrong. If blood keeps appearing it will require advice from the vet. Anything other than a tiny quantity of blood in the faeces requires urgent attention from the vet.
Constipation can be caused by an all meat diet, dog being fed on bones, dog left indoors all day or matting of the fur by the tail. A small dose of liquid paraffin usually will cure these sorts of problems. Enlarged prostrate gland, in older male dogs, will cause straining when passing faeces. Help should again be sort from the vet.
Dog ear problems
Your dog will be make you aware that problems exist if there is a lot of head shaking or ear scratching. Owners need to keep the external part of the ear clean and free of wax. You must never try to clean deeper into the ear by pushing anything into the inner ear. Treatment, or just checking, of all ear problems need to be in consultation with your vet. Ear mites can cause irritation and scratching. A strong smell is produced by a yeast of fungus infection. Seeds, or similar small items, may enter the ear and will need to be removed with great care. An allergy can cause irritation in and around the ear and it will be necessary to try to identify what is causing the allergy.
Dog bladder problems
Night time incontinence in an adult dog is quite common especially during illness or old age. Covering the bed with a lot of shredded newspaper will help make it less unpleasant for the dog. The condition can also occur after a female is spayed and can be treated with medication from your vet. Other causes include cystitis and paralysis. There are disease which cause excessive drinking and so if your dog is drinking and then urinating more frequently than normal, a consultation with the vet will be needed.
From minor to serious problems come in all sizes, early reaction to any potential problem is better than leaving it to get better by itself.
