Dog Illnesses: A Guide To The Most Common Problems Your Dog May Face

Understanding dog illnesses isn't something you should leave to the veterinarian: if you know the basics then you'll recognize the signs when your dog starts to get ill. Here is a quick guide to some of the most common illnesses that affect dogs.

A number of dogs will develop this degenerative disease within their lifetime - it's especially common in older dogs, and dogs who don't get enough exercise. Symptoms include stiffness in the joints and muscles, and very strong pain in some cases. Unfortunately the condition can't be cured, so you'll need to help manage the symptoms using pain medication, exercise, and natural treatments.

Epilepsy is a disorder that causes seizures, as a result of abnormal electrical activity in the brain. If your dog suffers from a seizure then there's not much you can do. Try to watch over him to make sure that he doesn't hurt himself.

It isn't just humans who suffer from obesity - it's becoming an increasingly common problem in our pets too. Out of all dog illnesses, this might be one that requires you to take the most action. You should think carefully about how much food you're feeding your dog, what you're feeding him, and giving him enough exercise. You'll know that your dog is overweight if you run your hand over his ribs but can't feel any ribs through the skin.

There are a number of different causes of diarrhea, but it's on this list of dog illnesses due to just how common it is. In many cases, changes in your dog's stool could simply be down to changing his diet or even simple stress. However, there may also be a more serious cause.

Parvovirus can cause diarrhea that's usually yellow or yellow/ gray in color, and gets tinged with blood very quickly. This is a viral illness, and around 80% of affected puppies will die if left untreated. However, most dogs will survive if given proper treatment.

The flu is a common illness in dogs just as it is in humans. It shares many of the same symptoms, such as a mild fever, runny nose, sneezing and a cough. It is contagious though your dog will usually recover on his own without any medical treatment.

These are just a selection of the most common dog illnesses. The more you know about your dog's health, the better position you'll be in to determine whether he needs extra medical care.