Many pet owners turn to the internet for information on health issues. Often, however, symptoms should be addressed by the animal hospital right away.
Parasites are common in the outdoors and can lead to intestinal parasites, heartworm disease, and even death. Keep your dog on monthly preventive medications. Watch for diarrhea, weight loss, vomiting, and changes in your dog’s coat or appearance.
Fleas and Ticks
Fleas and ticks are a common problem that can cause irritation, skin infections and illness (such as flea allergy dermatitis and Lyme disease or Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever) for both pets and their owners. Both pests can also carry and transmit bacteria, which can be zoonotic (transferable between animals and humans). Preventatives help to keep these external parasites at bay.
Regularly comb your pet’s coat for signs of these parasites, including visible fleas, their eggs, and “flea dirt” (blackish-red poop) on your dog’s fur, especially in areas with sparse or thin coats such as the belly, armpits, and inner sides of hind limbs. Also, look for bare spots on your pet’s skin that are reddish or pink and itchy; these may be the result of a skin allergy or infection known as hot spots.
Ticks are spider-like parasites that hide in grassy or forested areas and position themselves to latch onto dogs, cats, and people by their front legs as they walk past (a behavior called questing). After attaching, they use tiny teeth to embed themselves firmly in the animal’s skin and tissue, where they will begin to draw blood. If left untreated, this can lead to a number of diseases, including anaplasmosis, Lyme disease, and ehrlichiosis.
Your veterinarian can recommend a preventative medication that will be safe and effective for your pet. Be sure to follow the instructions on how to administer the medication properly, particularly in regard to the correct dose and frequency of administration. If you find a tick on your pet, carefully remove it using fine-point tweezers rather than your fingers. You should never try to pull a tick off with your fingers, as this can tear the animal’s skin and potentially spread the tick’s bacteria.
Heartworm Disease
Heartworm disease (Dirofilaria immitis) is a serious, potentially deadly condition that results in severe lung disease, heart failure, and other organ damage and death in pets, mainly dogs, cats, and ferrets. It is caused by parasitic worms that get into your pet through the bite of an infected mosquito. Once inside, the worms mature into adults, mate, and produce offspring, all while living in your pet’s heart, lungs, and blood vessels.
Symptoms of heartworm disease include a soft, dry cough that is most noticeable during exercise or excitement, weight loss, fatigue, and difficulty breathing. The worms cause the lungs and heart to enlarge, so affected animals may also have swollen abdomen and legs due to fluid accumulation. In advanced cases, the lungs and heart are so damaged that your pet may faint or die suddenly during exertion.
Prevention is key in avoiding heartworm disease, and we recommend that all dogs receive monthly chewable or topical preventative medications and be tested for heartworms every 12 months. This is the best way to ensure that your dog’s heartworm prevention has been effective.
In addition to the monthly preventative medication, you can help keep your dog safe from heartworms by treating your yard with a pesticide spray that is safe for pets. Avoid using products that aren’t labeled for use on animals, and make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions when applying a product to your yard.
After a positive heartworm test, you will need to limit your dog’s activity until the worms have completely died. This is because physical exertion increases the speed at which heartworms damage your dog’s heart and lungs. Restricting your dog’s activity will help reduce the time they need to be on treatment.
Ear Infections
Dogs have a tendency to develop ear infections due to their ears’ anatomic shape and proneness to catching moisture, wax, and dirt. Ear mites are another common ear problem, which can be prevented with a vet-prescribed ear miticide like Advantage Multi or Revolution. Dog owners can also help keep ear canals clean and dry by thoroughly wiping down their pet’s ears after they spend time swimming or in the water, especially those breeds prone to ear infections, such as cocker spaniels and retrievers.
Yeast and bacterial infections can also cause ear infections in dogs, which can be identified by pawing at their ears and shaking the head or when a foul smell is coming from the ear. If these infections are caught early, your vet will prescribe ear drops with antibiotics to treat the infection.
Other common dog health issues include arthritis and dental disease. Knee ligament problems can affect many larger dog breeds, while smaller dogs are more likely to suffer from gum disease. Some dog breeds are also predisposed to developing gout or other chronic joint problems.
Red and itchy eyes are another common concern for pets, which can be a sign of allergens or a more serious disease such as glaucoma. Regular nasal irrigation with saline solution can help prevent allergy-related eye inflammation. Allergy shots are another option that can build immunity against particular allergens, but this is a more expensive preventive measure than daily nasal rinses.
Dietary Issues
Like people, pets can have food allergies. The symptoms can be as subtle as licking their feet, a change in appetite or hair loss, or as obvious as vomiting. Both dogs and cats can have urological problems, such as a bladder infection or kidney disease. Many university-affiliated veterinary hospitals offer renal transplants for cats.
Dogs and cats may have ear infections that result in a loss of hearing or irritation to the ear canal. They can also have a variety of gastrointestinal issues, such as diarrhea and vomiting. Many pet owners find that their pets have difficulty walking or jumping when they get older, which can be due to arthritis. There are prescription and over-the-counter medications to help relieve this pain.
Nutrition and exercise are vital to your pet’s health. Unfortunately, veterinarians and their clinic staff are seeing an increasing number of overweight and obese patients (2-4). There is a wide range of causes for weight gain in pets. A few examples include diet choice, insufficient exercise, the feeding method (ad libitum or meal, size, or volume), and an inaccurate perception of body condition score (BCS).
Observe your pet for any signs that they need to see the vet, such as lethargy, vomiting, lack of appetite, diarrhea, or scooting on their butt. Some pet owners may also notice that their pets have foreign bodies in their poop, such as twigs or grass. A parasite, such as tapeworms or hookworms, could be the culprit if left untreated. Puppies may have intestinal worms, especially if they spend time outdoors, where they are exposed to other animals’ feces. Taking a wormer such as Virbantel will keep the worms under control.
Environmental Issues
A variety of environmental issues can afflict pets. Pets who are left outside may get fleas, ticks, and other parasites that cause skin problems or internal illnesses. Dogs can contract heartworm disease from mosquito bites, and cats can become infected with intestinal parasites such as roundworms and hookworms. Regular fecal testing and deworming are good ways to keep these internal parasites from causing serious problems for your pet.
Large family gatherings, fireworks, parties, picnics, parades, and other events can be stressful or dangerous for many animals. Loud music, unfamiliar people, and noises can scare them or make them run away. Then they may be lost or injured in the crowds. Many human holiday foods are not healthy for pets and can make them sick. Ribbons, wrapping paper, and garbage can poison or choke pets.
Pets should be kept in a safe room or crate during parties and fireworks displays. They should not be allowed to roam the yard or swim in lakes, pools, and rivers. They should not be fed raw meats or bones. Taking them for walks on a leash is important. They should be protected from extreme heat during summer and cold during winter. They should wear identification tags and be microchipped to help ensure their return if lost.
Regular exams by your vet are the best way to keep pets healthy. During these visits, your vet will recommend vaccinations, parasite control, dental care, and health screenings. It is also a great opportunity to ask any questions about your pet’s health.