Most Common Dog Ailments

Just about every young child longs to have a puppy. There has always been an idyllic image in the mind of kids about being out romping around with their furry best friend tagging along.

But if their parents aren’t “dog people” they inevitably here the same response to their constant pleas, “Sure you want a dog, but who is going to end up taking care of it?”

And this is entirely a fair point. When a child dreams of having a pet dog, that dream probably doesn’t involve taking them out for walks three times a day. It doesn’t include making sure they eat a healthy and balanced diet. And it certainly doesn’t entail getting their dog the required shots, as well as regular trips to the vet.

The truth is that having a dog really is a lot of work. Sure, anyone who has a dog knows that this work is worth it. It definitely is to have a wonderful pet who loves you more than anything else in the world. But it is true that having a pet is a big commitment.

When you have a dog the responsibility goes beyond keeping them in good shape and making sure they are fed. Having a dog get sick means you have to get them taken care of as soon as possible.

As a pet owner you quickly become familiar with the habits of your pet. On that same note, you also know when something might potentially be wrong. Dogs get sick just like people do, and they need professional care. Here are a few of the most common ailments that can occur in dogs.

Arthritis

Sadly, arthritis is one of the most common ailments in dogs. Arthritis can occur in dogs for a number of reasons. For one, it can develop in the joints of old dogs just like it develops in older people. Larger dogs also are more prone to canine arthritis. Sadly, over-breeding has also made many types of dogs far more susceptible to this disease than others.

No matter what the cause of arthritis in your dog, it is important to get it treated. Talk to your vet about what the best course is for treatment. In some cases it can include changes in diet or exercise habits. If you know your breed is susceptible to arthritis, you can also discuss preventative measures.

In some cases though you just might have to get your dog on an arthritis medication. Some common arthritis drugs for dogs include Deramaxx Chewable Tablets, Novox Caplets, Rimadyl Chewable Tablets, and Adequan Canine.

Anxiety / Behavioral

It is a wonderful feeling to walk in your front door and get that great big sloppy kiss from your waiting puppy. Sure, it can be a little bit gross at times, but having a creature that happy to see you every time you come home really warms a person’s heart.

However, there is a limit to this. Sure, it’s nice to have your dog excited to see you when you get home, but you also don’t want them panicking all day long while you are gone. As nice as it is to come home to a happy dog, it is awful to walk in and see things chewed up and the house a mess because your pet was having separation anxiety all day.

Treating a pet for anxiety and behavioral problems is a tricky issue. For starters, you want to make sure you try every other avenue before you start them on medication. Are you out of the house for eight hours a day and leaving your dog alone? There might be a reason your pet is so anxious then. See about hiring a dogwalker, or even talking to a friend and neighbor to see if they would stop in and play with your dog for a little bit every day. Most of the time people will be more than happy to help out, if it means a little quality time with a friendly dog.

Your dog also might not be getting enough exercise. And this doesn’t just mean walks around the block either. Take the time to see if there is a dog park in your community. This can be great not just for dogs, but also for owners to socialize. Your dog gets to play with other dogs and you get to meet new friends and neighbors. On some sunny days you can even just relax with a book while your dog runs around!

As a last resort, however, there are many behavioral and anxiety medications that can help dogs when nothing else seems to work. Drugs like Clomipramime, Cernia, Acepromazine, Fluoxetine, and Clomicalm are all proven to help treat anxiety in dogs.

Taking care of a pet is a lot of work, but it is always time well spent. Make the effort to give your dog a happy life, and they will return the favor tenfold.