Pets require routine medical attention for minor or serious ailments like their human counterparts. While skin allergies and infections are seldom serious in canines, they can be unanticipated and even expensive to cure. Dogs and felines are subject to numerous health issues similar to humans, so health care maintenance must always be observed by all pet owners. Now, let us learn the common health issues in pets.
Five Medical Conditions for Dogs
A pet owner must be attentive to the symptoms of common illnesses to get the appropriate medical attention for their pet right away. Here are five canine medical conditions every pet owner should know.
1. Kidney disease
Kidney issues or diseases in dogs can be chronic or acute. It only takes several days for acute kidney failure to develop, whereas chronic kidney failure takes longer. Acute kidney issues are frequently linked to canines that ingest poisonous substances or chemicals like household cleaners, antifreeze, or horrible food.
Chronic kidney conditions are more frequent in older dogs. Most pet owners usually overlook and disregard signs of chronic kidney disorder because they are mild in nature. CKD generally originates from oral infections, diabetes mellitus, cancer, genetic factors, or autoimmune conditions.
Even with kidney disease, an internal medicine vet can still help enhance your furry buddy’s well-being through superior diagnostic services and treatment plans for disorders impacting their internal body organs.
2. Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
Like how uncomfortable it is for humans, UTIs in dogs and cats mean the same. Urinary tract infections in pet dogs are downright harmful and painful at best. Dogs get UTIs when gastrointestinal (GI) tract flora and normal skin get past their urinary system defenses and mix into the urine.
These germs infect the urinary system, causing an infection. A frequent cause of UTIs is E. coli, but some fungi and several bacteria can cause infections too. If you see signs of UTI in your dogs, it’s important to bring them to a pet professional or Los Angeles veterinary center so they can be treated right away. Veterinarians usually offer antibiotics and pain medications to address the said infection.
3. Cancer
Considering that most dog foods today are hard to digest, pets do not absorb all the nutrients they need. This is what results in cancer in dogs. Compared to humans, dogs have much shorter intestines, which could indicate that most of their digestive process takes place in the stomach, whereas human digestion takes place in the intestines.
As mentioned by the Veterinary Cancer Society, 1 in 4 canines might have cancer, and fifty percent of pet dogs may develop it over the age of 10 above. Some familiar cancers in dogs are melanoma, mast cell tumors, bone cancer, lymphoma, and hemangiosarcoma. Veterinary surgeons or animal centers with advanced medical technologies can help treat a canine’s cancer through surgical procedures and other treatment solutions when treated in its early stages.
4. Periodontal disease
Periodontal or gum disease ordinarily occurs in pets with bad oral hygiene, diet, and nutrition. Some elements that can add to having gum disease include environmental contributors like grooming routines, misaligned teeth, and dirty toys. Plaque and tartar buildup on dogs’ teeth can lead to tooth loss, gum infections, bone loss, and other dangerous health problems.
Routine oral checkups with veterinary dentistry professionals and diligent at-home dental care can help keep your dog’s teeth healthy. Looking after your pet’s oral health will keep their eating patterns healthy and prevent systemic conditions that might come along with it.
5. Skin allergies
Some common root causes of skin allergic reactions in dogs are food allergies, flea allergy dermatitis, and environmental allergens. Some pets may be allergic to grooming materials, food, and other things in the surrounding, like pollen or insect bites, which makes them allergic. A dog with allergies may scratch their skin relentlessly, and a look at their skin often indicates an awful rash.
