Common Canine Illnesses and Ways to Avoid Them

06 Oct 2008

6 Oct, 2008 Dogs & Puppies

A dog can’t tell you when he is feeling sick. Paying attention to his behavior and habits will give you a clear sign when something is wrong. Here are some common canine illnesses and ways to avoid them.

Dogs can develop flea infestation. While fleas do not embed themselves in a dog’s coat, they do feed off of the dog’s skin. To avoid fleas from invading your dog’s body, avoid taking the dog for walks in wooded areas or places where fleas migrate. Most fleas may accumulate in the grassy area of your back yard. Daily brushing using a flea comb is recommended.

Ticks are another problem that can cause illness in a dog. Ticks carry disease and can
become embedded in the undercoat of a dog as well. They attach themselves to parts of a dog’s body, and trying to remove them can be painful to the canine. To avoid ticks, it is recommended that anytime you take your dog for a walk you avoid areas where ticks migrate, such as: wooded areas, parks with thick brush and shrubbery, and particularly shaded areas where ticks usually reside.

Another parasite that can be a health hazard for dogs is ear mites. If you find that your dog is scratching his ears too frequently, check to determine if there is any brown colored mucus seeping from one or both ears. This is a clear indication that the ear has become infected. A visit to the vet is recommended.

There is an array of worms that can cause problems for your dog. Tapeworms, heartworms, roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms are among the most common. It is important to have your dog checked for any one of these conditions since some can be transmitted to children via the skin.

Dogs can suffer from allergies, too. Any type of bite or sting from a bug can be cause for alarm, especially if the dog is allergic. If you notice any swelling in the area of the bite or vomiting and diarrhea, take your dog to the vet immediately for treatment.

All of these common canine illnesses are caused by outside influences, not to mention interaction with other dogs that may have fleas or ticks, or ear mites. Dog feces and developing an infection from digesting fleas are the most common causes. If you have acquired a puppy that has not been vaccinated, he may have an infection which resulted from nursing.

While you can avoid most of these illnesses, sometimes things just happen. Whether you take your dog for daily walks, live in rural areas where the dog can contract an illness, or take the dog on your camping trip; once you know what areas to avoid, the more control you will have in keeping your dog safe.

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