Everyone wants the best for their furry friends, that’s why it’s important to know what kind of common health issues they can develop. By knowing about common illnesses such as, canine dental disease or ear infections that they can develop, you can help prevent the onset of these health issues. Here are 5 common health concerns for cats and dogs:
1. Kidney or urinary tract disease
Urinary tract infections and kidney disease are common in dogs and cats. Risk factors include being older, being female, and having diabetes. Symptoms can include the inability to urinate or only passing a small amount of urine, cloudy urine, loss of bladder control, strong odor to the urine, lethargy, vomiting, and increased water consumption. The key to avoiding these issues is by feeding a biologically appropriate diet, using healthy urinary tract pet food, and providing plenty of fresh water at all times.
2. Periodontitis or dental disease
More than 80% of pet cats and dogs are affected by periodontal disease, also known as gum disease. It is caused by plaque that builds up on teeth that can form hardened deposits called tartar. This causes inflammation of the gum tissues. Symptoms can include bad breath, discoloration of the gums, and trouble chewing. It is preventable by feeding a healthy diet consisting of foods and treats that are healthy for the teeth, as well as by brushing your pet’s teeth on a regular basis.
3. Ear infection
Ear infections also known as otitis in cats and dogs can be caused by excessive bacteria or yeast inside the ear canals, or parasites such as ear mites living in the ear canal. Symptoms of an ear infection in your pet can include redness of the skin around and in the ear, a bad smell from the ear, excessive ear scratching or head shaking, or a yellow or brown discharge from your pet’s ear. Ear infections in pets are preventable by avoiding foods and environmental issues your pet may be allergic to, keeping hair trimmed around the ears, periodic cleaning of the ears, and drying your pets ears after they get wet.
4. Diabetes mellitus
Diabetes mellitus is a common endocrine disease for cats and dogs and occurs in 1 of every 300 patients. Common symptoms can include excessive drinking, excessive urination, weight loss despite good appetite, and weakness or muscle loss. Since overweight animals are more susceptible to diabetes, it is important to feed your pet a well-balanced diet, ensure they get enough exercise to maintain a healthy weight, and, as always, give your pet plenty of fresh water.
5. Heartworm.
Heartworm is a serious disease that can result in severe lung disease, heart failure, other organ damage in cats and dogs. It is caused by a parasitic worm called dirofilaria immitis that is spread through mosquito bites. Symptoms of heartworm can include vomiting, diarrhea, rapid and difficult breathing, coughing and gagging, loss of appetite, lethargy, and weight loss. The best way to prevent your pet from getting heartworm disease is with preventative drugs. It is best to ask your veterinarian about getting heartworm prevention.
