For convenience, we will refer to your dog as “she” rather than “he or she”.
You certainly know about it when your dog is well! She lets everyone know just how well she feels, by her happy disposition and her smart looks and her high energy levels. We know from experience however that things will not always be this way should you discover one of many common dog health problems.
Dogs, just like all other animals, suffer from numerous diseases and afflictions. Most of these are best dealt with by a Vet. Many of the problems are internal and require an accurate, professional diagnosis. This can and should only be carried out by a Vet who has the correct training, skills, experience and specialist knowledge for the task. There are some afflictions however which are common, and which can be fairly easily identified and treated by an attentive and caring owner. In this article we will consider just three of these common afflictions, all of which are caused by what are referred to as external parasites.
1 Fleas
Flea infestations commonly occur in the warmer weather. These parasites can plague your dog just about anywhere. They latch onto her warm body and happily suck her blood. They should not be left untreated. Not only would that be very distressing for your dog, but the infestation would quickly spread and become a serious problem within the house and the yard. Remember that while flees prefer to feed from your dog, they will happily switch to you if you are close by. Outdoors the fleas live in grass and amongst leaves, and indoors they are typically found in carpet, bedding and upholstered furniture. Fortunately there are very effective treatment products available from a Vet.
2 Ticks
Ticks attack your dog by attaching themselves to her body and then using their strong mouths to dig into her skin. They are usually active in the warmer months of spring and summer. When a tick has been attached for some time and is full, it is round and bloated. Always wear gloves and use tweezers when you are attempting to remove a tick. Never touch or crush a tick with your bare hands. Treat your dog with shampoo or spray and also spray her yard area.
3 Mites
There are a number of different species of mites which can infest dogs. Puppies that are under stress or ill or underweight are prone to attack from mites. It is recommended that you seek professional advice and expert help from a Vet if your dog is suffering an infestation.
There is also a condition in dogs known as Osteosarcoma. Find out more about Osteosarcoma In Dogs here on our partner site.
We wish you every training success and years of enjoyment for both you and your dog.
