Although dogs can cry when they are in pain, they cannot tell you what the problem is and most often dogs will remain quite about their discomfort, so do them a favor and equip yourself with the necessary knowledge to keep your companions fit, healthy and happy.

Get your ultimate guide to dog health and discover how to deal with minor dog health problems BEFORE they become major ones.

This guide has been written especially for dog owners just like you, who know that it is important to be knowledgeable about their dogs health and well-being.

If you are able to identify problems before they become a major issue, then not only will you save money on vet’s bills, but you will save your dog from terrible pain and anxiety which can so often be caused by problems or illnesses that aren’t attended to.

If you have any questions about the health of your dog please post them by leaving a comment below. If you know the answer to somebody’s question please feel free to contribute and help others by sharing your knowledge and experience.

Dogs have always been and will continue to be one of the most loved animals which have been domesticated by man. As a result of this there are many people looking for answers to questions about the health of their dog, and this site aims to help you find the answers to your questions.

Because of the wonderful companionship, unconditional love and close proximity in which we live with them, considerable research into the various aspects of how to keep them healthy, well behaved and contented has been done. There are some good dog health guides available that are definitely worth getting if you are serious about looking after the health of your dog.

Nutrition is not only important to humans but also plays a vital part in maintaining the good health of your dog. Extensive investigation has been done into what diet should be followed to ensure the good health of your dog, so there’s no excuse for not giving your dog the best quality and healthiest dog food.

Veterinarians play a vital part in countering any ailment or condition which your dog may acquire but it is certainly still beneficial to any dog owner to have a general awareness as to how they can maintain their dogs  health and give them good nutrition as well as being on the lookout  themselves for signs of any ailment they would be able to identify which could afflict their dog.

Dog Health Problems

Dog health is extremely important in taking care of your pet and has been well researched. Among the many aspects which have been studied are the dangers of contracting a disease such as rabies from an infected animal which can be detrimental to public health.

There are also certain genetic diseases which occur in specific breeds of dog and research has been done in this regard.

There are many things one should be knowledgeable about when you are a dog owner and these are detailed below.

Dog Health Questions & Info on Viral, Bacterial and Fungal Diseases

Be aware of any infectious disease that can affect your dog. There are viral diseases, bacterial diseases and fungal diseases that dogs can contract. A disease like Rabies if contracted by a dog can be a danger to public health if not contained. There are also other diseases which can be transmitted from dogs to humans.

Viral diseases such as Rabies and Canine Parvovirus are amongst the most serious of viral diseases and one should be aware and knowledgeable about them. Dogs can be vaccinated against these.

Bacterial diseases spread by infected fleas and ticks are common problems in dogs. In the United States Lyme Disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever are spread by ticks and are a common problem.

Fungal diseases such as ringworm and hookworm are commonly found in dogs but can easily be treated when diagnosed. An excellent way to prevent these from occurring is by regular deworming of your dogs. Dogs consuming infected faeces of other animals often are susceptible to this problem.

Dog Genetic Diseases

There are many genetic diseases which are prevalent in certain breeds of dogs and cognizance should be taken of this when acquiring a dog. If the animal is acquired from a breeder they should be able to inform the purchaser what genetic disease or diseases the particular breed is susceptible to. Purebred or pedigreed dogs mainly of a large breed are particularly susceptible to inheriting a genetic disorder or disease.

Dog Skin Problems

Dogs often develop skin problems which could occur for a number of reasons. One of these may be that the animal is allergic to a certain foods it has consumed. One should always be aware of this fact when feeding their animal. Fleas and mites on dogs can very often be responsible for causing skin problems and diseases like Mange on a dog. Regular bathing and dipping of dogs is an excellent way of ensuring that they do not become susceptible to a skin disease.

Dog Orthopedic Diseases

Orthopedic diseases in dogs such as hip dysplasia can be genetic and often occur for example in Rottweilers.  As dogs age like humans they become susceptible to degenerative diseases like arthritis which affects their joints. Dogs injured in auto accidents if they survive could because of injuries sustained can develop an orthopedic disease. As is the case with humans suffering from a degenerative disease an anti inflammatory treatment is often prescribed by a veterinarian.

Canine Cancer

Cancers occur both in dogs and humans and some cancers such as Lymphoma Cancer are genetically inherited by certain breeds like the Golden Retriever. Malignant or benign tumours occur in dogs as well as in their human counterparts. Other breeds affected are the Pug or Boxer which are susceptible to Mast Cell Tumors and the Scottish Terrier is highly susceptible to bladder cancer.

Dog Gastrointestinal Diseases

The indiscriminate eating habits of dogs especially if they run around freely without any control often leads to them consuming something which can cause them to develop a gastrointestinal disease. Care should therefore be exercised over what they eat in order to maintain their good health.

High fiber low fat diets have been known to be beneficial to dogs that contract pancreatitis. This is a common disease amongst dogs the causes of which are still not known.

Canine Heart Conditions

Heart conditions are very common in dogs and it is especially important when acquiring or having a young dog to have its heart checked out. Early diagnosis and treatment of any heart defect or problem the dog may have could avoid serious complications as the dog ages thus ensuring the animal could have a healthy lifespan. It is believed that over three million dogs in the United States are under treatment for heart condition problems.

Dog Vaccinations

A vital necessity for maintaining your dog’s health is to make sure that it has been given all the necessary vaccinations to prevent and protect it from acquiring any serious disease. Booster injections are just as important. Consulting with your veterinarian about these will be extremely beneficial to your dog’s health and your peace of mind.

Healthy Dog Food

Dog nutrition is vital to your dog’s good health. Feeding your animal off the table is ill advised. Nutrition for your dog depends on a number of factors. The age, the breed and the size of the animal all plays a role in determining this. Your veterinarian is one of the best people to seek advice from in this regard. He will best be able to determine from his knowledge of your animal what nutritional needs it requires.

In general however there are many excellent dog foods available today which can provide your dog with all its nutritional needs and ensure its good health. Exercising the animal regularly is another vital factor that can ensure the animal’s good health.

Avoid giving your dog foods which we as humans can consume safely. These include chocolates, onions, garlic, macadamia nuts, xylitol a sweetener, grapes and raisins. Watch that the dog never consumes apricot and peach pits as this could result in cyanide poisoning to the animal.

The popular Complete Dog Food & Nutrition Package can be found here.

Dog Health Care Medicine

Medications we as humans can safely use such as aspirin, tylenol, advil and nadproxen should not be given to dogs. These can cause ulceration of the stomach as well as organ damage especially to the liver and kidneys of the dog. Remember that a dog’s digestive system is completely different to that of humans. Only under a veterinarians guidance for example could aspirin be used providing the correct dosage is prescribed.

Dog Diseases

There are a number of endocrine diseases which can affect dogs. Cushings syndrome an endocrine disease is caused when a small tumor develops in the pituitary gland which is situated in the lower part of the dog’s brain. This is the main cause but this disease can also occur if there is a tumor of the adrenal gland.

Addisons disease in an endocrine disease in dogs that is caused by a decrease of a substance known as corticosteroid which is secreted by the dog’s adrenal gland. The adrenal gland is vital to the body functioning correctly and produces several other substances as well. This is a disease that affects many dogs and although it is sometimes difficult to diagnose in its early stages when ascertained it can be treated with excellent results.

Another endocrine disease is hypothyroidism which is an autoimmune disease. Certain breeds of dogs are more susceptible to this disease. Shetland sheepdogs, Golden Retrievers and Great Danes are amongst the breeds affected. This disease occurs when antibodies which are produced in the thyroid gland of the dog are found in the blood. It has been shown that iodine salts which are often included in dog foods which are available for domestic pets can be a factor in dogs developing this disease. The treatment by veterinarians when treating dogs is to replace thyroid hormone in the affected animal. This treatment can sometimes continue throughout the life of the dog.

Hemolytic anemia is another disease that affects dogs. This iron deficiency which causes a reduction in the number of red blood cells can occur as a consequence of a more serious disease which the dog contracted. Some of the symptoms that would present themselves are pale gums, an increased pulse rate and a general lethargy in the animal. Dietary supplementation with the correct vitamins prescribed can be of great benefit to the animal as part of the treatment being given.

Another disease which breaks down the dog’s immune system is known as thrombocytopenia where platelets in the blood do not perform adequately and as a consequence of this malfunction sudden blood loss could occur. This disease in many instances is genetically acquired but could also be as a consequence of failure of other organs in the dog’s body to function adequately.

There are also certain reproductive diseases that are common to dogs. Tumours in the mammary glands and infections of the uterus are amongst these.

Dog Health Care Advice

Keep your dogs clear of any poisons that may be located in your house or garage such as rodent poisons. or other products and substances which may be sweet smelling and tasting but could be toxic to your dog.  Dogs should be kept away from passive smoke as it can affect them the same way it does to humans in a similar environment.

Maintaining your dogs health and keeping it free of any ailments and dog health problems can ensure many years of love and companionship between man and his best friend.