If you’re thinking about adopting a dog, it’s important to consider their health. Just like humans, dogs need to live an active lifestyle to maintain a long, healthy life.
Some breeds are genetically predisposed to certain health issues and can pass them on to their offspring. The healthiest breeds, on the other hand, are generally immune to these ailments.
Obesity
Obesity is a very serious problem that can cause many health problems. Dogs who are overweight have a higher risk of developing health issues such as joint pain, heart disease and cancer.
The best way to avoid obesity is to keep your dog healthy and active. This involves keeping his food intake under control and adding regular exercise.
There are several diets that are formulated specifically for weight loss and feeding schedules that help with healthy weight loss. Your veterinarian can help you develop a healthy and safe plan to get your dog to his ideal body weight.
Bowel Movements
A bowel movement, also called feces, is the last stop in the digestion process. It’s made up of what’s left after your dog’s digestive system absorbs nutrients and fluids from food.
Healthy stools should look like soft logs that aren’t too hard to push out of your dog’s body. But if your dog produces mushy piles, loose puddles, runny poop or watery squirts that are less than a day old, this may be diarrhea, which is caused by a problem with your dog’s digestive tract.
Diarrhea can be a sign of a lot of different things, including a new food, parasites, a food sensitivity or allergy, stress, infection (such as Salmonella), a gut microbiome imbalance, intestinal disease, or a number of other health issues. So it’s important to call your vet if you notice any of these symptoms.
Urinary Tract Infections
The urinary tract is a vital part of your dog’s health. It helps a dog pass urine, regulates water intake and maintains balance.
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are caused by bacteria that invade the bladder and urethra when your dog’s health is compromised. They are very common and easy to treat if caught early.
A vet will diagnose a UTI by examining the dog and testing the urine. They may opt to perform a urinalysis, do a urine culture and blood work, ultrasound or radiographs depending on their findings.
Antibiotics can help clear up a UTI and prevent reinfection. However, you must be sure to follow your vet’s instructions for the treatment plan and make sure your dog finishes the entire course of antibiotics if they are prescribed.
Skin Issues
Dogs can have a variety of skin issues from parasites to allergies and even an underlying illness. Your vet can usually tell what’s causing the problem by looking at your dog’s skin and asking you a few questions.
Some dogs are more prone to certain types of problems than others. For example, dogs with allergies may have rashes or itchy spots on their skin from pollen and other environmental irritants.
Yeast infections, which can cause thick crusts and smelly areas of the skin, are another common issue in dogs. They aren’t harmful, but they can be itchy and irritating for your dog.
Arthritis
Arthritis affects the joints of dogs, most commonly in the hips, knees and elbows. These joints are made of bone covered by a thin layer of cartilage that provides a smooth surface for the bones to move over each other, and is lubricated with joint fluid (synovial fluid).
Dogs can develop arthritis as a result of normal wear and tear, ageing, or as a secondary disease resulting from injury or illness. Injuries to the joints can damage the articular cartilage and ligaments of the joint, causing pain and stiffness.
Several veterinary treatments can help manage arthritis, depending on the severity and progression of the disease process. They include medication, exercise and dietary management.