If you are a dog owner, chances are you spend a great deal of time worrying about the health of your canine. Whether or not your dog is eating correctly, exercising enough, and avoiding the bad behavior that brings on illnesses, health concerns are a part of everyday life for pet owners.
Dogs, like humans, are subject to several diseases and health problems that may adversely affect their quality of life and their family’s quality of life. These are some of the more common illnesses and health conditions that affect dogs:
Diabetes
A dog can get diabetes which is characterized by excessive urination and urine that is very hard and dry. The body produces too much insulin, but the body can’t properly use the insulin it makes, resulting in a buildup of glucose in the blood. Signs of diabetes are excessive urination, excessive thirst, excessive urination for defecation, urination at night and urination more frequently than normal. Once diagnosed, treatment is very simple and requires the addition of insulin to the diet. It is typically given to dogs who are suffering from renal failure.
Heartworms
This parasite can be transmitted to humans, though the transmission of this disease is usually by mosquitoes. It is contracted when an infected mosquito bites a dog and then swallows the parasite. Heartworms are characterized by heart enlargement, which can lead to heart failure. The symptoms of heartworm disease include heart murmurs, respiratory distress and an enlarged heart.
Treatment consists of removing the heartworms surgically and treating the secondary symptoms. These drugs reduce the size of the heart and decrease the heart rate. It is primarily given to dogs that are suffering from severe cases. It is commonly administered with medications to treat heartworm disease.
Lymphoma
Lymphoma is a type of cancer that is an extensive build-up of a liquid Lymph, which begins as a soft solid mass. In dogs, Lymphoma can be caused by Lyme disease, babesiosis and bordetella. Treatment consists of giving lymphoma patients medicines and medications to treat the symptoms. It is usually administered with medications to treat the disease.
Arthritis
Arthritis is a condition characterized by joint pain, stiffness and can also lead to reduced mobility. For dogs, arthritis is commonly caused by soft tissue infections that usually occur around joints. Surgery can be required in dogs with moderate to severe cases. It is treated in dogs in extreme cases.
Fleas
Fleas are another disease that a dog may contract. The fleas can transfer several diseases, including Lyme disease. They can also transmit distemper, distemper combined, anaplasma and Lyme disease. Treatment consists of using flea medicines. It is commonly administered with medications to treat the condition.
Ticks
Ticks are another type of disease that can be contracted by dogs. It is common for dogs to be bitten by Ticks. Ticks are characterized by eggs that are loaded with toxins. In dogs, medications are used to kill ticks. It is typically given to moderate cases.
Some of these diseases are caused by a deficiency of vitamins or minerals. Some dogs may also be prescribed cortisone. In some cases, cortisone may also cause side effects. Some of the side effects include weight gain, difficulty in breathing, and diabetes. It may also cause a skin rash. If these side effects are not handled, it may reduce the therapeutic effect.
