Common Canine Conditions

A recent study carried out by the Royal Veterinary College, revealed the most common canine conditions seen by vets.

The most common canine conditions:
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• Overweight/obesity
• Osteoarthritis
• Otitis externa (Ear problems)
• Anal sac disorder
• Conjunctivitis (Eye disease)
• Dental disease
• Lipoma (fatty lumps)
• Dermatitis (skin disorders)

The Study was conducted by analysing data from 455,557 dogs presented at veterinary practices.
Of these common canine conditions, the three disorders that had the highest impact on their welfare was:

1. Osteoarthritis
2. Obesity
3. Dental disease

How do these conditions affect canine health & welfare? Osteoarthritis can be very painful and being over-weight puts unnecessary pressure on joints contributing to pain and progression of arthritic changes. Not only that, obesity can lead to Diabetes Mellitus, heart disease and has been implicated in the development of some cancers.

Dental disease is another painful and debilitating condition. Bacteria within the mouth can lead to heart and kidney disease which in some cases can be fatal.

What can we do to help?

1. Feed a suitable diet and avoid giving your dog too many tit-bits to avoid obesity. After neutering some dogs tend to put on weight so reducing calorie intake can help. Special low calorie diets are available.
2. Incorporate a healthy exercise plan in to your dog’s daily life. Regular dog walks, swimming and play can all help as part of a healthy life-style (for you as well as your dog).
3. Regular brushing of your dog’s teeth has been proven to reduce the build-up of tartar. Daily brushing is gold standard. This also gives you the opportunity to check your dog’s mouth for any abnormalities.
4. There is some research suggesting that supplements can help reduce inflammation in the joints. Omega 3 fatty acids is just one that may help. Speak to your vet for more advice.
5. For older dogs look at the Canine Arthritis Management (CAM) website. There are lots of lifestyle tips and ideas for adapting the home to help your dog move around with more ease.
6. Take your dog to the vet for regular health checks and weighing. This can help identify problems early on so that conditions do not develop. Many practices run weight management clinics and very often these are free of charge.

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By Author Caroline Clark
https://www.peteducationandtraining.co.uk/articles/dog/common-canine-conditions/