Common Dog Health Problems

An owner of pets like dogs and puppies should be aware of the various dog health problems that his or her pet dogs could acquire during the course of their pet's lives.

There is an old canine folklore story held and believed by people from long ago saying that a cold and wet nose on a dog is a sign of good health. There is no scientific basis for this belief as no one can tell from how wet or how cold a dog's is has anything to do with hereditary heart problems, parasites, intestinal worms, blindness, deafness and every other health problems that dogs can contract.

What you should really be checking for

Responsible owners should disregard such beliefs without scientific basis and focus on looking at the overall condition of the dog including regular physical checks of the eyes, teeth, ears, mouth and skin for any abnormalities that could be signs and symptoms of a particular disease.

On top of that, the dog owner should be responsible enough to provide all the care and attention that their dogs need including proper nutrition, preventative medicine and good grooming to ensure that their pets will be in good and healthy condition for years to come.

Signs and Symptoms of Some Common Dog Health Problems

There are several signs and symptoms that signify certain canine health problems and particular diseases. Dog owners should be familiarized with these potential signs of abnormalities in their pets so quick and proper action can be done immediately to avoid any complications later on.

* The dog's coat should be shiny, soft and full. Dogs with wire coats should have springy and thick strands. Breeds with double coats should have no indication of thinning on the undercoats.

* Redness, sores, scabs, scales, flakes, lumps and growths on the dog's skin can be signs of health problems. The skin and coat should be free from parasites including fleas, ticks and mites. Frequent scratching or even biting of the skin is an indication of potential parasites.

* Just like in humans, bright and shiny eyes are a sign of good health. In dogs, there is an area in the eyes particularly in the perimeter of the eyeballs that should always have a health pink color. This area is called the conjunctiva and a pale color in this area could signify some underlying health problems. There should also be no abnormal discharges from the eyes, particular yellow or green colored fluids.

Important Dog Health Ideas

Just like people, dogs need to see the doctor, or in their case, see the vet, in order to be sure that they continue to stay healthy. The good part is that now that the internet is here to stay (LOL), anyone can get an idea of what is going on with their dog. Its not that this takes the place of going to the vet, but it does make you as your pet's Mom or Dad much more knowledgeable when you do take your dog to see the doctor.