Common Health Issues in Dogs

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Being a dog means being adorable and playful, but it also means getting into trouble… a lot! As a dog parent, the last thing you want for your doggo is to see them getting injured or sick. But, even if your dog hasn’t been sick or injured yet (thank the pup gods!), you should know there are many health issues that your dog can get affected by. Being able to recognize the symptoms and take preventive measures before it gets worse, we’ll save you and your doggo a lot of pain, trouble, and money.  

To help you become the best dog parent in the world, we’ve made a list of the 10 most common health issues in dogs and their treatment costs.

10 most common health issues in dogs and their estimated treatment costs 

1. Obesity

Obese or overweight dogs can develop more serious diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, some types of cancer, or hypertension. 

Feed your pupster as needed. You should also make sure your dog does regular exercise and eats healthy food in order to avoid obesity. Digestive problems can cost up to $850 to treat and diet dog food could be around $180 per month. The lesson is clear in this case- the cheapest problems are the ones you avoid.   

2. Arthritis

A common health issue, especially in older or obese dogs. The inflammation of the joints can cause stiffness and pain. This can affect your dog’s ability to exercise, or even walk. Arthritis can be treated with physical therapy, medication or homeopathic remedies and can cost owners about $600 per year to treat.  

3. Skin Allergies

Skin allergies can’t be avoided or cured. They can appear in the form of atopic dermatitis, causing your dog’s skin to be red and itchy. This will make your doggo scratch excessively. When allergens are plentiful, usually in spring or summer, your beloved doggo might turn into a furry balloon. Allergies can be very annoying for your dog, but you can manage them with medications that don’t cost so much.

4. Gum Disease 

Dental problems are a common issue among 80% of dogs. Gum infection is the most common form of dental disease and could be prevented by bringing your pet for wellness checkups. Warning signs include yellow tartar on your pet’s teeth, red or pink gums, and extremely bad breath. Dental diseases could cost you thousands of dollars per year.      

5. Upset stomach and vomiting

There are a number of reasons your pet may be vomiting – parasites, an infection, or a bad reaction from eating something they shouldn’t. As diagnostic testing to determine the cause can include complete blood work and X-rays, you might be facing hundreds of dollars bills.   

6. Cancer

The statistics show that 1 out of 4 pets will suffer from some type of cancer during their life. The diagnosis process might be quite complicated and require a battery of diagnostic tools which could cost around $2,000. Once your pet has been diagnosed with cancer, treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation might be required. And that could cost anywhere between $3,000 to $9,000, depending on the number of rounds recommended by your vet.  

7. Ear Infection

An ear infection is a common health problem in dogs. It can be caused by ear mites, yeast, allergies, and bacteria. Redness and swelling of the ear followed by headshaking are the most common symptoms. Medicating and cleaning the ear canal can clean up the infection quickly. This can cost around $150.

8. Hot Spots and Skin Infection

If your dog suffers a scratch, bacteria might infect the spot and cause redness, irritation, and inflammation. This may result in a hot spot, requiring prescribed meds and a cone. This can cost around $250. 

9. Urinary Tract Infection

Frequent need to urinate and experiencing pain while urinating is a sign that your adorable pet has a UTI. The vet will probably prescribe your dog some antibiotics to treat the infection but if it’s not treated on time, it can lead to more serious problems like urinary blockage or bladder stones. In that case, bladder stone removal surgery will cost around $1,500. 

10. Soft Tissue Injury

Soft tissue trauma refers to any tissue that is not a bone or skin, such as damage to the muscles, tendons, and ligaments. As dogs are often quite active and athletic, these types of injuries are relatively common and can lead to symptoms such as pain, limping, lethargy, swollen joints and paws, loss of appetite, depression, and exercise reluctance. If the soft tissue damage is minor and does not require surgery, average treatment costs might be around $600. More complicated cases, though, might reach up to a $1,000 in vet bills.   

Protecting your dog

These are just some of the most common conditions you and your dog might be facing.  Pet insurance will cover your vet bills following injuries, accidents and illnesses, including diagnostics, procedures and treatments required. Get a quote from Animalia today to learn more.