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6 Most Common Dog Health Problems

Our dogs are faithful companions, and they depend on us for good care. Tohelp your canine friend live a healthy life, it helps to know some of the mostcommon health problems dogs face, their signs, and what you can do aboutthem.

Common Dog Health Problem: Ear Infections

Ear infections are a common canine health problem, and they can be caused byallergies, yeast, ear mites, bacteria, hair growth deep in the ear canal, andmore. Symptoms your dog may have with an ear infection include:

* Head shaking or head tilting* Ear odor* Vigorous scratching* Lack of balance* Unusual back-and-forth eye movements* Redness* Swelling* Brown, yellow, or bloody discharge

A professional cleaning may be all your dog needs to clear up a painful earinfection, though surgery could be necessary if head shaking gets forcefulenough to rupture a blood vessel. Ear infections can hurt, so always checkwith your vet about the best treatment for your pooch.

Read more about ear infections in dogs.Common Dog Health Problem: Worms

Tapeworms, roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms are common internalparasites in dogs. And although any worm infestation can make your poochuncomfortable, some, like hookworms, can be fatal in puppies. Signs your dogmay have worms include:

* Diarrhea (may be bloody)* Weight loss* A change in appetite* A rough, dry coat* Scooting* An overall poor appearance

The best way to diagnose a worm problem is with a visit to the vet. Treatmentdepends on which type of worm your dog has, but generally includes an oralmedication and may require follow-up. Don't try treating worms yourself: Amedication that kills roundworms, for example, doesn't kill tapeworms.

Common Dog Health Problem: Fleas

It takes just three weeks for one flea to turn into an infestation of 1,000biting bugs. A very common canine health problem, fleas are easy for your dogto pick up, but they're also easy to treat. Signs your dog may have fleasinclude:

* Excessive scratching, licking, or biting at the skin* Hair loss* Hot spots* Allergic dermatitis

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* Tapeworms (which are caused by fleas)* Flea dirt (looks like small black dots) against your dog's skin

Untreated, fleas not only make your dog intensely uncomfortable, they canalso cause allergic reactions, infections, and even lead to anemia from bloodloss.

Talk to your veterinarian about the right flea medicine for your dog, whichmay include oral medicine, shampoos, sprays, or topical liquids.Read moreabout flea control and prevention in dogs.v5 Ways Pets Can Improve YourHealth

A pet is certainly a great friend. After a difficult day, pet owners quiteliterally feel the love.

In fact, for nearly 25 years, research has shown that living with pets providescertain health benefits. Pets help lower blood pressure and lessen anxiety.They boost our immunity. They can even help you get dates.Allergy Fighters

"The old thinking was that if your family had a pet, the children were morelikely to become allergic to the pet. And if you came from an allergy-pronefamily, pets should be avoided," says researcher James E. Gern, MD, apediatrician at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, in the Journal of Allergyand Clinical Immunology.

However, a growing number of studies have suggested that kids growing up ina home with "furred animals" -- whether it's a pet cat or dog, or on a farm andexposed to large animals -- will have less risk of allergies and asthma, hetells WebMD.

In one study, Gern analyzed the blood of babies immediately after birth andone year later. He was looking for evidence of an allergic reaction, immunitychanges, and for reactions to bacteria in the environment.

If a dog lived in the home, infants were less likely to show evidence of petallergies -- 19% vs. 33%. They also were less likely to have eczema, a commonallergy skin condition that causes red patches and itching. In addition, theyhad higher levels of some immune system chemicals -- a sign of stronger immunesystem activation.

"Dogs are dirty animals, and this suggests that babies who have greaterexposure to dirt and allergens have a stronger immune system," Gern says.Date Magnets

Dogs are great for making love connections. Forget Internet matchmaking -- adog is a natural conversation starter.

This especially helps ease people out of social isolation or shyness, NadineKaslow, PhD, professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at EmoryUniversity in Atlanta, tells WebMD.

"People ask about breed, they watch the dog's tricks," Kaslow says."Sometimes the conversation stays at the 'dog level,' sometimes it becomes areal social interchange."Dogs for the Aged



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"Studies have shown that Alzheimer's patients have fewer anxious outbursts ifthere is an animal in the home," says Lynette Hart, PhD, associate professor atthe University of California at Davis School of Veterinary Medicine.

"Their caregivers also feel less burdened when there is a pet, particularly ifit is a cat, which generally requires less care than a dog," says Hart.

Walking a dog or just caring for a pet -- for elderly people who are able -- canprovide exercise and companionship. One insurance company, Midland LifeInsurance Company of Columbus, Ohio, asks clients over age 75 if they have apet as part of their medical screening -- which often helps tip the scales intheir favor.

Good for Mind and Soul

Pet owners with AIDS are far less likely to suffer from depression than thosewithout pets. "The benefit is especially pronounced when people are stronglyattached to their pets," says researcher Judith Siegel, PhD.

In one study, stockbrokers with high blood pressure who adopted a cat or doghad lower blood pressure readings in stressful situations than did people

without pets.

People in stress mode get into a "state of dis-ease," in which harmful chemicalslike cortisol and norepinephrine can negatively affect the immune system,says Blair Justice, PhD, a psychology professor at the University of TexasSchool of Public Health and author of Who Gets Sick: How Beliefs, Moods, andThoughts Affect Your Health.

Studies show a link between these chemicals and plaque buildup in arteries,the red flag for heart disease, says Justice.

Like any enjoyable activity, playing with a dog can elevate levels of serotoninand dopamine -- nerve transmitters that are known to have pleasurable andcalming properties, he tells WebMD.

"People take drugs like heroin and cocaine to raise serotonin and dopamine,but the healthy way to do it is to pet your dog, or hug your spouse, watchsunsets, or get around something beautiful in nature," says Justice, whorecently hiked the Colorado Rockies with his wife and two dogs.Good for the Heart

Heart attack patients who have pets survive longer than those without,according to several studies. Male pet owners have less sign of heart disease-- lower triglyceride and cholesterol levels -- than non-owners, researcherssay.

5 Health Mistakes Dog Owners Make

You want the best for your dog -- your pooch is your best friend, after all. Yetsometimes, pet owners who mean well make serious mistakes, especially whenit comes to the health of their dog.

Are you on the right track to keep your dog in top shape? WebMD went toveterinarians to find out the most common health mistakes dog owners makeand get their tips on how to avoid them.



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Dog Health Mistake 1: Not Getting Preventive Care

Neglecting preventive health care is by far the most common mistake dogowners make, according to the veterinarians we interviewed.

"Taking your dog in to the vet for regular examinations, giving heartwormprevention, and getting your dog the appropriate vaccinations and

dewormings can prevent many diseases," says Adrianne Brode, DVM, CCRP,associate medical director at the Canine Health Institute in Houston. Forexample, heartworm disease can be difficult to treat and ultimately fatal todogs, but it's easily preventable.

Yearly exams help your vet catch problems early, according to Oregonveterinarian Marla J. McGeorge, DVM. Instead of coping with lengthytreatment of an advanced or chronic condition, your vet can catch issues attheir beginning stages, when care may mean cure. And early care saves youmoney in the long run.

Although annual exams may coincide with needed vaccinations, simply gettingyour dog vaccinated isn't the same as a full physical exam. Among otherthings, a comprehensive checkup may include:

* Blood work* A fecal examination for intestinal parasites* Examination of a dog’s gums, heart, lungs, teeth, eyes, and ears

Talk to your veterinarian to learn more.Dog Health Mistake 2: Neglecting Dental Care

Neglecting regular dental care is also common, according to ShawnMessonnier, DVM, author of the Natural Health Bible for Dogs and Cats. Dogsneed dental care for the same reason we do: to prevent gum disease.

As on human teeth, plaque forms on a dog's teeth after eating. If left alone,the plaque builds, causing inflammation, decay, and eventually bone and toothloss. And while this silent war goes on in your dog's mouth, she’s probablyexperiencing pain you don't notice because dogs, like cats, instinctively hidepain.

Gum disease is actually five times as common in dogs as in people. But it's easyto prevent and to treat with dental care that includes:

* Daily brushings* Good quality food* Regular oral X-rays, exams, and cleanings* Safe, teeth-cleaning treats and chew toys

Dog Health Mistake 3: Overfeeding

If too much love is ever a bad thing, it is when we show it to our caninecompanions in the form of too many tasty treats.”Rewarding and loving ourdogs with food leads to obesity," Brode says. Overweight or obese dogs are athigher risk for arthritis and other orthopaedic issues, as well as other healthproblems.

It can be difficult enough to balance our own diets, much less that of ourdogs. So talk to your vet, who will help you select a good, high-quality foodfor your dog and give you tips on exercise and treats. That's right -- you don't



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have to stop sharing occasional goodies with your pooch, as long as 90% to95% of your dog's diet is healthy and well balanced.

Dog Health Mistake 4: Sharing Medication

Another dangerous health mistake owners make is giving dogs humanmedications. "Pain medications like Advil or Tylenol can be very toxic to dogs,"

Brode tells WebMD. In fact, there is a host of seemingly benign human drugsthat can pose grave health risks for pets.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, are themost common cause of pet poisoning in small animals, according to the ASPCA.Even small doses can be toxic. Antidepressants, muscle relaxers,decongestants, vitamin D derivatives, oral diabetes treatments, and othercommon human drugs can all pose risks to pets, from seizures to coma todeath.

Always keep medication secure -- preferably in a high, locked cabinet -- andnever discard medication where pets or children can get to it. If you’reworried that your dog may have gobbled up an over-the-counter orprescription pill you dropped -- or worse, taken an entire bottle from the

trash -- don't hesitate. Immediately call the Animal Poison Control Center24-hour hotline at (888) 426-4435.Dog Health Mistake 5: Delaying Critical Care

We often delay medical care for ourselves, waiting for a bump, pain, or rashto go away. So it may seem natural to do the same thing with our dog.

There's a problem with that, however: Dogs don't have the words to let usknow exactly what they're feeling. Your canine companion could be in pain,sick, and even gravely ill -- and chances are you wouldn't know it because ofdogs’ instinct to hide infirmity.

Don't wait to see if a health problem in your dog gets better on its own. Callyour vet if your dog isn't eating or is eating less, vomiting, lethargic, hasdiarrhea or fever, or just doesn't seem well.

By: Bob Gulden

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