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Common Dog Health Problems: Heart Murmurs, Rabies, Cancer, Arthritis And Ear Mites
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Published: January 23, 2008
The advances in animal medicine are almost in step with human health care. The latest gadgets and treatments are available to solve dog health problems and ensure a higher quality of life. However, the newest vet innovations are useless without a vigilant owner who can first detect these dog health problems.
Because symptoms can be very subtle, owners must be mindful of common dog health problems.
One of the most common dog health problems is ear mites. These small parasites infect the dogs’ ear canals leading to itching and often self-inflicted ear damage. Typical signs of this condition include crusty, brown discharge in addition to red, inflamed skin around the ears. Ear mites are very contagious to other animals, so owners need to schedule a visit to the veterinarian for proper diagnosis and treatment. Medication is available to apply either onto the ear canal at regular intervals or through an injection. Similar to other parasites, ear mites can re-infest furniture and carpeting if they are not properly cleaned.
Dog health problems can also include heart murmurs. This condition occurs when heart valves do not function properly and results in irregular blood flow within the organ. Dogs may have heart murmurs if they have breathing difficulties, low physical endurance, and bluish gums. The severity of this condition ranges from benign heart murmurs to life-threatening cases. Through a physical examination, EKG, chest x-rays or an ultrasound, the veterinarian can assess the cause of the murmur. Correcting this ailment may involve medication or surgery depending on if these dog health problems are congenital or acquired.
Cancer can be one of the most serious dog health problems. Symptoms of this illness vary with the type and the advancement of the disease; a lump or tumor is often the first sign. Surgery to remove the tumor is a common treatment. However, this is not a viable option if the tumor is too large or the animal cannot survive the surgery. Chemotherapy is also available for dog health problems. Thankfully, dogs have much fewer side effects than people when undergoing treatments to solve these severe dog health problems.
Although it does not have the same lethal reputation as cancer, arthritis can still make a dog’s life very painful. Also known as degenerative joint disease, arthritis is best treated with a moderate amount of exercise. Excessive physical activity can further aggravate these dog health problems whereas inadequate exercise will inhibit muscle tone and joint movement. Medications and supplements are available to keep the dog relatively pain-free while they are active.
Rabies is among the most serious of dog health problems. As a viral disease that disrupts brain and nerve function, this ailment is lethal to both animals and people. This virus is transmitted through bites from wildlife such as foxes, raccoons, coyotes, and skunks. A significant change in the natural behavior is a typical symptom of the sickness; an affectionate dog will become aggressive towards family members. No cure is available for rabies and although symptoms may take months to surface, the animal will usually die in only a few days. Legally, pet owners must report their dog’s condition to their vet and animal control in case of any possible hazards to the public. The best way to protect pet from dog health problems is by having them vaccinated annually.
Many medical advances are available to not only prevent but to treat common dog health problems. However, available pet care is superfluous unless the pet owners detect dog health problems in the first place. Because they are the first line of defense again dog health problems, owners must always be watchful of the possible symptoms of an ailing animal.
Sources:
“Cancer.” Healthy Pet. 2008. American Animal Hospital Association. 22 Jan. 2008. http://www.healthypet.com/library_view.aspx?ID=37& amp;sid=1.
“Dog Health.” Animal Hospitals USA. 2008. SandPipers Design, LLC. 22 Jan. 2008. http://www.animalhospitals-usa.com/dogs/arthritis. html.
“Dog Health.” Animal Hospitals USA. 2008. SandPipers Design, LLC. 22 Jan. 2008. http://www.animalhospitals-usa.com/dogs/ear_mites. html.
“Dog Health.” Animal Hospitals USA. 2008. SandPipers Design, LLC. 22 Jan. 2008. http://www.animalhospitals-usa.com/dogs/heart_murm urs.html.
“Rabies.” Healthy Pet. 2008. American Animal Hospital Association. 22 Jan 2008. http://www.healthypet.com/library_view.aspx?ID=47& amp;sid=1.
Related Articles
One of the most common dog health problems is ear mites. These small parasites infect the dogs’ ear canals leading to itching and often self-inflicted ear damage. Typical signs of this condition include crusty, brown discharge in addition to red, inflamed skin around the ears. Ear mites are very contagious to other animals, so owners need to schedule a visit to the veterinarian for proper diagnosis and treatment. Medication is available to apply either onto the ear canal at regular intervals or through an injection. Similar to other parasites, ear mites can re-infest furniture and carpeting if they are not properly cleaned.
Dog health problems can also include heart murmurs. This condition occurs when heart valves do not function properly and results in irregular blood flow within the organ. Dogs may have heart murmurs if they have breathing difficulties, low physical endurance, and bluish gums. The severity of this condition ranges from benign heart murmurs to life-threatening cases. Through a physical examination, EKG, chest x-rays or an ultrasound, the veterinarian can assess the cause of the murmur. Correcting this ailment may involve medication or surgery depending on if these dog health problems are congenital or acquired.
Cancer can be one of the most serious dog health problems. Symptoms of this illness vary with the type and the advancement of the disease; a lump or tumor is often the first sign. Surgery to remove the tumor is a common treatment. However, this is not a viable option if the tumor is too large or the animal cannot survive the surgery. Chemotherapy is also available for dog health problems. Thankfully, dogs have much fewer side effects than people when undergoing treatments to solve these severe dog health problems.
Although it does not have the same lethal reputation as cancer, arthritis can still make a dog’s life very painful. Also known as degenerative joint disease, arthritis is best treated with a moderate amount of exercise. Excessive physical activity can further aggravate these dog health problems whereas inadequate exercise will inhibit muscle tone and joint movement. Medications and supplements are available to keep the dog relatively pain-free while they are active.
Rabies is among the most serious of dog health problems. As a viral disease that disrupts brain and nerve function, this ailment is lethal to both animals and people. This virus is transmitted through bites from wildlife such as foxes, raccoons, coyotes, and skunks. A significant change in the natural behavior is a typical symptom of the sickness; an affectionate dog will become aggressive towards family members. No cure is available for rabies and although symptoms may take months to surface, the animal will usually die in only a few days. Legally, pet owners must report their dog’s condition to their vet and animal control in case of any possible hazards to the public. The best way to protect pet from dog health problems is by having them vaccinated annually.
Many medical advances are available to not only prevent but to treat common dog health problems. However, available pet care is superfluous unless the pet owners detect dog health problems in the first place. Because they are the first line of defense again dog health problems, owners must always be watchful of the possible symptoms of an ailing animal.
Sources:
“Cancer.” Healthy Pet. 2008. American Animal Hospital Association. 22 Jan. 2008. http://www.healthypet.com/library_view.aspx?ID=37& amp;sid=1.
“Dog Health.” Animal Hospitals USA. 2008. SandPipers Design, LLC. 22 Jan. 2008. http://www.animalhospitals-usa.com/dogs/arthritis. html.
“Dog Health.” Animal Hospitals USA. 2008. SandPipers Design, LLC. 22 Jan. 2008. http://www.animalhospitals-usa.com/dogs/ear_mites. html.
“Dog Health.” Animal Hospitals USA. 2008. SandPipers Design, LLC. 22 Jan. 2008. http://www.animalhospitals-usa.com/dogs/heart_murm urs.html.
“Rabies.” Healthy Pet. 2008. American Animal Hospital Association. 22 Jan 2008. http://www.healthypet.com/library_view.aspx?ID=47& amp;sid=1.
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