10 Common Dog Diseases

In addition to the ten most common dog diseases or health maladies; ear infection, kidney failure, skin allergies, laceration, skin infection, hip dysplasia, cancer, pancreatitis, urinary tract infection and diabetes, there are a host of other common dog illnesses. These illnesses commonly affect dogs across the country and it is important to recognize them as early Veterinary treatment is always recommended.

1. Arthritis: This degenerative disease causes stiffness in the joints and muscles and is most common in older dogs or those who are overweight and inactive. The pain associated with this condition can be very intense for some dogs. Treatment involves managing the symptoms as the condition is not reversible. Pain medications, natural remedies, regular moderate exercise and anti-inflammatory medications are all popular treatments.

2. Obesity: Obesity is the most common nutritional disorder in American dogs today with between 25 and 40 percent of dogs considered obese or likely to become obese. Obesity in dogs is a serious medical problem. Fat dogs are more at risk in surgery, more prone to injury and have more stress on heart, lungs, liver, kidneys and joints. Excess weight can also worsen osteoarthritis and lead to diabetes mellitus.

3. Dental Disease: According to Veterinarians approximately 75% of the dogs they see have some form of tooth decay, gum disease or other dental disorders. Excessive plaque build up can cause tooth decay and eventual loss. Dental infections can also spread quickly and become life-threatening diseases within dogs.

4. Food Allergy: Some dogs are allergic to a specific meat protein or wheat product found in their dog food. This can cause skin lesions, loss of hair and sometimes even skin infection requiring antibiotic treatment. When dogs have food allergies most Veterinarians recommend 2 month long food trials using different meat proteins (chicken, fish, beef, lamb, etc.) to determine which ingredient the dog is allergic to and thus stop the allergic reactions.

5. Gastroenteritis: Characterized by the sudden onset and prolonged duration of acute vomiting and diarrhea lasting two to three weeks, gastroenteritis can cause extreme fluid loss, acid-based imbalances and electrolyte disturbances. An occasional bout of vomiting and diarrhea is quite common in dogs; however, severe, acute vomiting and diarrhea is not normal.

6. Epilepsy: Epilepsy is defined as a neurological disorder characterized by sudden, recurring attacks of muscular, sensory, or psychic malfunction with or without loss of consciousness. The disease often presents with two types of seizures including Grand Mal and Petit Mall. Seizures can result from abnormal electrical activity in the brain brought on by tumors, blood clots or scar tissue, or from chemical imbalances such as low blood sugar. There is often nothing you can do other than quietly re-assure your dog and try to keep him from hurting himself during one of theses seizures.

7. Stomach Inflammation: Basically a tummy ache, stomach inflammation is often referred to as gastritis and can be caused by spoiled food, ulcers, bacteria or sudden change in diet or eating habits. The most common symptoms are vomiting and lethargy. Treatment includes a stomach-soothing bismuth medication such Pepto-Bismol, rest and a bland diet.

8. Kennel Cough: Kennel Cough is the common name given to the most common respiratory disease found in dogs in the United States. It is highly contagious through dog to dog contact as well as contact with contaminated objects and infects millions of dogs each year. Signs of Kennel Cough include a dry hacking cough and nasal discharge. There is a vaccination against Kennel Cough and it is required by most boarding facilities or other animal care businesses due to the ease of transmittal between dogs.

9. Congestive Heart Failure: When the heart stops pumping fluids through the body properly fluid retention in the lungs and body cavity lead to eventual failure of the heart. Causes of heart failure include birth defects, degenerative valves, and heartworm disease. Larger breeds and overweight dogs are highly predisposed to this disease; however, it is a common cause of death among all breeds.

10. Hypothyroidism: This condition occurs when inadequate amounts of thyroid hormones are produced. Hypothyroidism presents with weight gain, obesity, skin problems and hair loss. Most hypothyroidism patients are treated with a synthetic thyroid medication while others may have the disease their whole life and never receive treatment.

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