While dogs are an amazing addition to your life who help keep you safe and joyful, they also require a lot of proper care. This care refers to correct nutrition, exercise, and medical care. Now, most pet-owners take care of the first and second criteria very well, and even the third, but not to the full extent. Here are 5 Serious Health Issues In Dogs That Often Go Ignored
You see, a large section of dog owners tend to overlook certain kinds of medical problems and often turn a blind eye to certain health issues, as they have the idea that those problems aren’t a cause for concern. However, doing so can be incredibly dangerous and may put your dog’s health and well-being in danger.
In this article, we’re talking about 5 such health problems that most owners don’t pay attention to, even though it warrants it. This article is supposed to be a cautionary tale; to let you know that it is important to ensure that every part of their body is taken care of.
Bow-Leggedness – Did you know that bow leggedness is one of the most common problems in dogs, especially puppies? If you see a bow leg dog, it is probably injured, suffering from certain deficiencies, or is genetically caused to have bow legs. However, most people simply assume that bow-leggedness is a common affliction in dogs and do not pay much attention to it.
This is a wrong stance to take, as only certain breeds have bow-leggedness, that too only during their youth. If left unchecked and untreated, bow-leggedness may become permanent and your dog will end up a bow leg dog, which can cause an enormous amount of pain and limit their abilities to partake in physical activities as well.
Dental Problems – Although we take our dental hygiene and health very seriously, the same cannot be said for most dog owners. Despite showing symptoms of loose teeth, halitosis, and more, owners do not pay much attention to it and let such problems fester. However, your dog might be in terrible pain and they might be unable to chew or eat properly, which can then lead to nutritional deficiencies.
There have been instances where a dog has stopped eating and was taken to the vet by the owner with the idea that it was suffering from a different kind of ailment, only to find out that the root cause was dental issues.
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Weight Gain/ Obesity – While we may laugh at videos of obese dogs and cats on the internet who love food or can’t get up, obesity is actually a serious issue for domestic animals and it can lead to a variety of gastrointestinal and heart problems. Not to mention it decreases their ability to engage in exercise and physical activity. A lot of dog owners seem to disregard weight gain in their animals and instead find it “cute” or “cuddly”, but the fact of the matter is, it is jeopardizing their health.
Make sure that you keep a check on your dog’s weight, and in case you see signs of excessive weight gain, take them to the vet for a thorough check-up. Reviewing and checking your dog’s weight and diet regularly is crucial.
Skin Disease – Similar to dental problems, skin diseases also do not get the required attention. Even if a dog shows symptoms such as excessive itching or shedding, most owners will chalk it up to general “doggie behavior” and move on. However, doing so can be dangerous to the health of your dog.
If left unchecked, the problem could worsen and become fatal as well. If you see your dog showing signs of excessive itching, shedding, discomfort in laying down, and more, make sure to take it to the vet.
Mental Health – Physical health is not the only thing that matters in the case of animals. Just like humans, animals suffer from mental health issues as well. Depression, PTSD, anxiety, and more are common mental health problems faced by dogs. Such problems are usually borne from trauma and hence, they’re more prevalent in dogs that have been adopted from kennels and homes.
Unlike what most people think, dogs show clear signs of mental health issues and it is important to be cognizant of such symptoms. If your pet is displaying such conditions, make sure that you take them to a vet as soon as possible. I hope you like reading on 5 Serious Health Issues In Dogs That Often Go Ignored .
Here is complete Guide for Pet owners-
Dog Medical Emergency Guide created by Figo Pet Insurance, a top pet insurance provider.