Three Common Conditions To Know About If You Have A Dog

While owning a dog is one of the most joyful journeys a person can go on, it’s also a lot of responsibility. Among other important elements of their lives, you need to be constantly looking out for their health, and just like with human health, there are several common conditions you need to know about and be on the lookout for. 

In this short article, you’ll learn a little bit about three conditions you may encounter at some point in your dog’s life and how to combat them. 

Ear Infections

Ear infections are very common in dogs with longer or floppy ears, and also in those who swim frequently. 

The most common signs are your dog shaking their head a lot because their ears are irritating them, and you may also notice discharge coming from the area and a foul odor. If you spot any of these symptoms, it’s important to take your pet to the vet as soon as possible. They can provide a tailored treatment plan depending on whether the cause is yeast-driven, bacterial, or parasitic, and they’ll be able to thoroughly clean your dog’s ear to minimize discomfort. 

With proper treatment, ear infections usually heal within a couple of weeks. If your dog has long hair, grooming is also important for preventing infection: your groomer will carefully remove hair from inside the ear, which prevents dirt and bacteria from collecting there. 

Dog Styes

Just like humans, dogs can get styes. These present as small, irritating bumps that form on the eyelid and are usually caused by bacteria or irritation of the sensitive glands in the area. 

They’re not serious, but they can be uncomfortable. A gentle clean and a warm compress are recommended, and if they persist, your vet may offer medication to help clear it faster (there are also several natural remedies for dog styes that you could try). 

Fleas and Ticks

Another very common issue you’ll likely run into at some point is fleas and ticks. In the case of ticks, these bugs latch and burrow directly into the skin, where they can cause a range of problems from minor irritation to serious issues like Lyme Disease (though the latter is uncommon in dogs). They’re best removed by your vet with a specialized removal tool, as trying to remove them yourself risks leaving part of the tick still stuck in your dog’s skin (they burrow deep and are difficult to get out). 

Fleas don’t burrow into the skin as ticks do. They live on the fur, and there are usually multiple on the dog’s body at once. They’re smaller than ticks and bite your pet, causing red, irritated skin, and are usually treated with either a course of oral tablets or a medicated fur ointment. 

Wrapping Up 

The above conditions represent three you’re most likely to encounter, but there are others. Be sure to have a thorough consultation with your vet about what else to look out for to keep your dog in tip-top health.