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A lowdown on ailments that can affect your furry companion, and ways to
prevent them before they get worse
It helps to know the health issues your pet goes through, not just to prevent
them from happening and ease out your canine's pain, but also to combat them
when they do happen. Here are some of the most common illnesses your dog goes
through and what you can do about them.
Fleas
Fleas can give both you and your pet nightmares. Fleas are extremely easy for
your dog to pick up and can soon infest from one to thousand! Unlike other
ailments, fleas are easy to spot and hence can be treated soon too. Experts
advise against using synthetic and artificial repellents unless the condition
gets really bad. Common symptoms of fleas are scratching, biting, hair loss or
excessive licking. You can however prevent these blood-sucking creatures from
latching on to your four-legged friend.
Help your canine heal:
- Washing your dog regularly is one of the safest precautions you can take.
Wash your dog with lukewarm water and a mild soap.
- Use a flea comb or collar to ward off the fleas. Flea combs can physically
take out fleas from your dog's coat. Flea sprays are also available and the
additional benefit of using these is that your dog gets a shiny coat as
well.
- "Go natural. Lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, lavender oil are all known
to have a positive affect on dogs, if they have fleas," says Tisha Matthew, who
volunteers at an animal care shelter.
Ear infections
One of the most common infections among dogs is ear infection. Breeds like
Beagles with hanging ears and Cocker Spaniels with narrow ear canals are more
prone to infections in the ears. Ear infections typically begin with the
inflammation of the outer ear canal, and can be caused by a variety of reasons
right from bacteria to allergies to excess moisture. You may notice a strange
odour from the ear. Additionally, there could also be some swelling or redness.
If you notice your dog scratching or vigorously shaking his head often, it could
be time to take some safety precautions.
Help your canine heal:
- Since the ear is sensitive, clean it thoroughly with a gentle cleanser, one
that is preferably prescribed by the veterinarian. If your dog can tolerate it,
you can repeat the cleaning several times, but if he shows signs of irritation
or pain don't overdo it.
- Find out if your dog has a hereditary condition or if the climate or food
is incompatible with him.
- "Keep your dog out of the water, as extra moisture might aggravate the
infection and make his condition worse," says Himanshu Sharma, who's pet
Labrador recently had a serious ear infection.
Worms
Worms are common parasites in dogs, particularly tapeworms, roundworms and
whipworms. Your dog can get worms either by eating or drinking something
containing worms or by being bitten by a carrier i.e. fleas or mosquitoes. Worms
are usually difficult to spot and dogs may only show subtle signs if infected
only getting more prononuced when the situation worsens. Noticing and treating
the worms' presence is of utmost importance as they can have dire effects on
your dogs health. Some of the common symptoms of worms are: coughing, vomiting,
pot-bellies, low energy, change in apetite, itching, signs of irritation and a
dull coat. If you notice your dog losing weight rapidly, it could be another
symptom.
Help your canine heal:
- "Your pet will in most likelihood, need to be checked and administered
proper medication," says Rina Dubey, an animal care specialist.
- Prevent fleas and ticks, as these are common carriers of worms.
- Ensure that your pet is checked every three to six months by your
veterinarian.
Arthritis
Arthritis is a common ailment among dogs but surprisingly, is difficult to
spot. "If you see your dog with a slight limp or favouring one leg over the
other, it's a sure sign of arthritis. He might also seem reluctant to walk or
run around and may tire of physical activity easily," says Veterinarian Anushka
Tripathi. Though arthritis is difficult to completely heal, there are a few
procedures that one can follow to ease out the pain your faithful friend is
facing.
Help your canine heal:
- Arthritis can be a serious condition, hence, expert's advice that you use
the help and guidance of a professional to help your pet.
- Exercise if done in moderation can help. Additionally, if your dog is
arthritic, ensure that he doesn't jump around or exert himself.
- Overweight dogs should be encouraged to lose weight and indulge in physical
activity.
Monitoring your pet's health
- Learn how to identify infections and treat them as soon as possible.
- Flea products or medication to prevent itching can have a negative affect
on your dog as well. Make sure you consult a vet.
- Never use products prescribed for cats on dogs or other animals and
vice-versa.
- If your dog is over weight, make sure he exercises regularly and take him
for regular check-ups.
- It's okay to spoil your pet silly, but remember — an active dog is a
healthy dog.
- Be careful when you take your dog for walks or treks. Their soft fur is
susceptible to scratches and burns.
How do you feed a sick dog?
Nutrition among pets is extremely important, but more so during sickness.
First and most importantly, check with your vet to see what you should be
feeding him and what you should be avoiding.
- Feed him a little at a time, and give breaks in between meals.
- Avoid feeding your pet food that is too hot or too cold. Warm it a little
and keep it at room temperature.
- Make sure the food is fresh and not stale.
- If you notice a lack of apetite in your dog, you can feed him by liquefying
the food. Add some water to it and feed it to him as a fluid.
Indoors or outdoors — What's more suitable for a sick dog?
If the weather is favourable and your dog wants to run around a bit, by all
means take him out, but ensure that certain precautions are taken.
If the weather is too cold, protect him with a light coat, and if it's too
hot make sure that you protect his paws. Occassional walks outside are advised
by experts as well, even if just a short stroll so that your pet can relieve
himself.
Giving medicine to your dog
Dogs can be extremely troublesome when it comes to giving them medicine. But
it is important that your pet has his medicines on time. If he absolutely
refuses to budge, you can call in the vet.
You can hold your dog's muzzle while feeding him the medicines with his head
tilted a bit. Keep talking to him and stroking his head while you do this. Keep
his head up and encourage him to swallow it before he spits it out.
The way you feed your dog medicine can vary considering how big or small your
dog is.
If your beloved pet seems a bit dull, it could be more than 'just a bad day.'
Your pets behaviour itself could indicate towards illness. Beware of the
signs:
- An otherwise energetic and happy dog could start acting lethargic or
dull.
- Decrease in or complete loss of apetite.
- Shedding or bald patches across the body or certain areas.
- Incessant vomiting or diarrhea.
- He may start hiding or sleeping more than usual.
- Difficulty in running around or indulging in any sort of physical
exercise.
- He may start crying or whining for no particular reason.
Taking care of a sick dog
- Make a warm, comfortable bed for him. Much like us, dogs need a quiet, calm
place to heal as well.
- Place his favourite toy besides him and make sure there is water around.
It's important that he gets enough fluids.
- Good nutrition is important, especially during sickness.
- It's important to monitor your dog's process as he heals.
- Be aware of any special needs of your pet.
- Make sure that children or loud music, talking etc doesn't bother him.
- If he gets worse or shows no sign so of progress, take him to the vet. Read
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