Last Updated on May 11, 2018 by Marie Bautista
Does your pooch keep on falling ill? Sure, it could just be picking up bugs, but there might be a more serious underlying cause as well. First of all, though, before you rush your dog off to the vet, it’s a good idea to see if you can figure out yourself why your pet might be feeling a bit under the weather. Here are some of the most common causes of dog sickness and what you can do about them.
Dehydration
Are you sure that your dog has been drinking enough lately? If it hasn’t, it might quickly end up dehydrated, which could cause some very serious health problems. If you make sure that your dog always has access to a bowl of fresh water, then they should rarely suffer from dehydration. But there are some common symptoms that can show you that something might be wrong. For example, if they seem very tired, have sunken eyes, and dry gums, then there is a good chance they are dehydrated. You should take them to see the vet to see if he or she can figure out the cause.
Not Enough Exercise
All dogs will need plenty of exercise, even the ones who just want to sleep all day! If you don’t exercise your pup correctly, it might put on weight and could even end up obese. If your dog does become obese, it might end up suffering from diabetes and heart conditions. Thankfully, it is easy to prevent weight problems – you just need to keep an eye on your pooch’s diet and exercise.
Fleas
Dogs can pick up fleas very easily, especially if they have been running around outside. There are some preventative medications you can give your dog that can prevent them from picking them up, but these aren’t always 100% effective. It’s important to act fast once you do find out that your dog has fleas, as these can lead to some very problematic skin conditions. You can solve the problem by giving Nexgard chewables to your dog. If the problem persists, you should take them to see the vet.
Parasites
It’s not just bugs that can have an effect on your dog’s skin. They can also get inside and wreak havoc on its digestive system. If your dog suffers from intestinal worms then it could lose weight very quickly. It is also possible for dogs to suffer from heart worms. These are particularly dangerous. No matter what type of parasite your dog has, you will need to take it to the vet so that he can make sure no permanent damage has been done. They can then give you all the medication your dog will need to completely remove the parasites from its system.
There are lots of common health problems that many dogs will face in their lives; this list is just the tip of the iceberg, unfortunately. And remember, some dog breeds are much more prone to illness than others. So, think carefully when you choose a breed!