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Even when you provide the best care, there’s a chance your dog will experience an illness or injury at some point. Part of being a pet parent is knowing what to watch for and responding correctly.
So read on to learn the ten most common dog health problems, followed by a few tips on how to lower your dog’s veterinary costs. We chat about the most common dog infections and sickness, viruses, and everything else.
The most common dog diseases
Ear infections
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Ear infections, called otitis, can affect all parts of a dog’s ear. It's one of the most common infections in dogs. Otitis externa, infection from the eardrum outward, is the most common form. But it can involve the middle and inner parts of the ear too.
What causes ear infections in dogs?
Bacteria and/or yeast are typically to blame for ear infections in dogs. Ear mites are a less common cause but may be possible. When a dog has recurrent ear infections, another pet health problem, like allergies or an anatomic abnormality, could play a role.
What are the symptoms of ear infections in dogs?
Dogs with outer ear infections will shake their heads, scratch at and rub their ears, and are often in pain. If you look down the ear canal, you may notice redness, discharge and a foul odour. Infections of the middle and inner ear can lead to:
Deafness
A head tilt
Abnormal eye movements
Circling
Unsteadiness when walking
How do you treat ear infections in dogs?
To treat an outer ear infection, a veterinarian will first take a sample from the ear to identify the presence of microorganisms. They'll then determine the best way to clean out the ear, kill the microorganisms, and relieve the dog’s discomfort. Surgery and other treatments may be necessary in severe cases or when they involve the middle or inner ear.
Which breeds are most commonly affected?
Dogs with long, floppy ears or those prone to allergies are at increased risk for ear infections. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, Cocker Spaniels, Poodles, and German Shepherds are at higher risk for ear infections.
Benign tumours
A tumour is an abnormal lump of tissue that develops when cells reproduce more quickly than normal. It can happen when they don’t die off the way that they should. Many dog tumours are benign, meaning they're not cancerous or prone to spreading or acting.
What causes benign tumours in dogs?
We don’t know the cause behind many benign tumours in dogs. Some, like papillomas (warts), develop after infection with a specific type of virus. Others may have a genetic basis.
What are the symptoms of benign tumours in dogs?
Benign tumours are often found on a dog’s skin. You might notice a new lump or bump when you’re petting your dog. Sometimes the skin involved in the lump will lose hair or become discoloured. Common types of benign skin tumours in dogs include:
Lipomas
Sebaceous adenomas
Papillomas
Histiocytomas
Skin tags
Follicular cysts
How do you treat benign tumours in dogs?
If a benign tumour is small and doesn’t bother the dog, it may not need treatment. But vets should remove benign tumours that are uncomfortable, tend to rupture or become infected. Talk to your vet if you notice a new lump on your dog so they can check it and make sure it’s not cancerous.
Which breeds are most commonly affected?
Benign tumours are a very common dog health issue, but some breeds are at higher than average risk for particular types of benign tumours. For example, a study found the highest prevalence of lipomas in Weimaraners. Boxers are well known for developing histiocytomas.
Skin infections
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Skin infections in dogs occur when the bacteria and yeast normally found on the surface of a dog’s body take advantage of a situation that lowers the skin’s normal protective barriers.
What causes skin infections in dogs?
Allergies are the most common underlying dog health problem that leads to recurrent skin infections. Prolonged dampness (which may occur in dogs that swim frequently, have matted fur, or experience trauma to the skin), also makes it more likely for a dog to develop a skin infection.
What are the symptoms of skin infections in dogs?
Dogs with skin infections are itchy, so pet parents often notice lots of scratching, chewing, and licking. Dogs with a skin infection may also develop hair loss, red skin, and lesions on the surface of the skin. Dogs with severe skin infections can also experience pain and general malaise.
How do you treat skin infections in dogs?
A veterinarian must first take samples from the surface of the dog’s skin and look at them under a microscope to identify the microorganisms involved in the infection. Then they can prescribe the right medications — antibiotics to treat bacterial infections or antifungals for yeast infections, for example. Topical ointments or sprays, medicated baths, and medications given by mouth or injection may also be appropriate based on the specific characteristics of the infection.
Which breeds are most commonly affected?
Any dog can develop a skin infection, but breeds prone to skin allergies (see above) are at higher-than-average risk. Hypothyroidism, food allergies, diabetes, fleas, and other dog health concerns can also lead to recurrent skin infections.
Digestive disorders
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Digestive troubles can originate from within the gastrointestinal tract or health problems elsewhere in the body. Some digestive disorders are short-lived and resolve independently, while others are potentially life-threatening.
What causes digestive disorders in dogs?
The list of potential causes for digestive troubles in dogs is long. Here are just a few of the more common dog sickness causes include:
Eating something unusual
Viral or bacterial infections
Parasites
Kidney or liver failure
Inflammatory bowel disease
Gastric dilatation and volvulus (bloat)
Intestinal obstruction
What are the symptoms of digestive disorders in dogs?
The most common symptoms seen with digestive disorders in dogs are poor appetite, vomiting, diarrhoea, and abdominal discomfort. Over time, dogs will often lose weight if the digestive disorder isn’t treated appropriately.
How do you treat digestive disorders in dogs?
Whenever possible, you should direct treatment for digestive disorders towards the specific underlying cause — dewormers for parasites or immunosuppressant medications for inflammatory bowel disease, for example. S
upportive and symptomatic care, such as fluid therapy and medications to control nausea and diarrhoea, may also be necessary. The good news? Dogs with an upset stomach, because they ate something unusual, will often get better if they eat a bland diet for a few days.
Which breeds are most commonly affected?
Certain breeds are at higher-than-average risk for specific types of digestive problems. For example, gastric dilatation and volvulus will most commonly affect large, deep-chested dogs like Great Danes, Saint Bernards, and Weimaraners. On the other hand, parvovirus (a viral infection) tends to hit Rottweilers and Doberman Pinschers especially hard.
Arthritis
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Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis in dogs. It tends to get worse as a pet ages but can affect them at any life stage.
What causes arthritis in dogs?
Arthritis may occur after a joint injury or due to developmental disorders like hip or elbow dysplasia. Joint wear and tear over a long life may also lead to arthritis in older dogs.
What are the symptoms of arthritis in dogs?
Dogs usually limp when arthritis affects joints in a leg, but limping can be hard to pinpoint if more than one leg is involved. Arthritis anywhere in the body will lead to joint stiffness and discomfort (for example, it may be difficult for a dog with arthritis to settle down or stand up quickly from a seated or lying position).
How do you treat arthritis in dogs?
Prescription medications and nutritional supplements that relieve pain and inflammation, like fish oil, help many dogs with arthritis. Joint supplements like glucosamine, weight loss, physical therapy, acupuncture, cold laser treatments, and other therapies can also be beneficial. Talk to your vet to see which treatment options are right for your dog.
Which breeds are most commonly affected?
Large dog breeds are at the highest risk for arthritis. A paper published in 2018 found that the five breeds most commonly affected by arthritis in the United Kingdom were, in order:
Dental infections
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A dog’s mouth is full of bacteria that are just waiting for a chance to take charge. Anything that damages the normal, healthy tissues in a dog’s mouth can lead to infection. It's one of the most common illnesses in dogs, like Miniature Schnauzers.
What causes dental infections in dogs?
The most common type of dental infection in dogs is caused by plaque and tartar buildup on the teeth that leads to inflamed gums (gingivitis) and eventually to periodontal disease. Bacteria within the mouth can also seize upon a broken tooth and cause infection around the roots.
What are the symptoms of dental infections in dogs?
The first thing pet parents often notice when a dog has a dental infection is bad breath. If you look inside your dog’s mouth, you may see red gums and discoloured teeth. Dogs with dental infections can also develop swollen areas that may drain pus and be in significant pain.
How do you treat dental infections in dogs?
A professional dental prophylaxis (cleaning) will be necessary to remove tartar and treat gingivitis in dogs with dental infections. Teeth that are broken or affected by severe periodontal disease will need additional treatments or to be removed. Daily toothbrushing and regularly scheduled dental cleanings are the best ways to prevent dental infections in dogs.
Which breeds are most commonly affected?
Without appropriate dental care at home, any dog will eventually develop a dental infection. Breeds with short, flat faces, like Bulldogs, Pugs, and Pekingese, and toy breeds like Maltese or Chihuahuas tend to develop tartar and gingivitis more quickly, while dogs who chew on hard objects (like bones or rocks) can break a tooth and develop a tooth root abscess.
Urinary tract infections
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Urine and the urinary tract are normally sterile. But when bacteria gain access, a urinary tract infection can develop.
What causes urinary tract infections in dogs?
Most urinary tract infections occur when bacteria travel up the urethra (the tube carrying urine away from the bladder to the outside of the body). It’s also possible for bacteria from other parts of the body to travel through the bloodstream and end up infecting the urinary tract. Anything that breaks down the urinary tract’s normal protective measures can increase the risk of infection.
What are the symptoms of urinary tract infections in dogs?
Dogs with urinary tract infections usually have some combination of the following symptoms:
Straining to urinate
Urinating small amounts frequently
Painful urination
Urinating inside the house
Discoloured urine
How do you treat urinary tract infections in dogs?
Most urinary tract infections respond well to treatment with antibiotics. Any underlying health conditions that may lead to these types of infections (diabetes or bladder stones, for example) will also have to be addressed, or the dog will probably develop another urinary tract infection very quickly.
Which breeds are most commonly affected?
Breed type, on its own, doesn’t appear to play much of a role in developing urinary tract infections. Female dogs tend to develop urinary tract infections more frequently than males, but individual dogs with certain underlying health problems are also at higher-than-average risk.
Anal gland disease
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A dog’s anal glands are located on either side of a dog’s anus at roughly the 5-and-7 o’clock positions. Generally, a dog will produce a small amount of anal gland secretion every time they poop. Impaction and infection are the most common health problems affecting the anal glands. Cancerous tumours are also possible but occur less frequently.
What causes anal gland disease in dogs?
Anal gland impactions develop when the glands don't regularly empty when a dog poops. The material inside the glands can become thick and hard to get out. The glands become over-filled and inflamed, may rupture, and are at high risk of infection.
What are the symptoms of anal gland disease in dogs?
Overly-full anal glands are uncomfortable, so dogs tend to lick their bottoms and scoot their rear ends along the ground. The area around the anus can become swollen and red, and foul-smelling drainage may also be present. Pain from anal gland impaction or infection can make it hard for a dog to sit or poop.
How do you treat anal gland disease in dogs?
A vet can express your dog’s anal glands if they become impacted and recommend treatment options for preventing a reoccurrence. Talk to your vet if you’re interested in learning to express anal glands at home, but beware, it’s a messy and smelly process! Anal gland infections require treatment with antibiotics and sometimes other therapies as well.
Which breeds are most commonly affected?
Anal gland disease can affect any dog, but small breeds like Toy and Miniature Poodles, Chihuahuas, Lhasa Apsos, Cocker Spaniels, and Beagles tend to be at higher-than-average risk. Dogs who are overweight or have chronically soft stools can also develop repeated problems with their anal glands.
Injuries
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Unfortunately, dogs get hurt sometimes - in fact, injuries are one of the most common dog ailments. But not all injuries are the same.
What are common injuries in dogs?
Common dog injuries can include many issues, from muscle strains to ruptured ligaments, torn toenails to fractured bones, and minor scrapes to major wounds.
What causes injuries in dogs?
Some dogs injure themselves when running, jumping, twisting, etc., during an activity or at home. An underlying conformational issue or other dog health problem may play a role in some of these cases. Other dog injuries, like being hit by a car or injured in a dog fight, have more obvious external sources.
What are the symptoms of injuries in dogs?
The one thing that most injuries have in common is pain. Bleeding, swelling, or limping may also be evident. Some dog injuries are emergencies. Head to the veterinary hospital immediately if your dog is experiencing significant bleeding, extreme pain, difficulty breathing, or extreme lethargy.
How do you treat injuries in dogs?
Treatment varies based on the type of injury a dog has and its severity. For example, a muscle strain will usually heal with rest, while a ligament rupture may require surgery. Most injured dogs should receive pain relief to alleviate suffering, but remember never to give your dog human pain medication without talking to your vet, as some over-the-counter pain medication can be toxic to dogs. Your vet can discuss treatment options with you after examining your dog.
Which breeds are most commonly affected?
Any dog can be injured, but certain injuries are more common in some breeds than others. For example, the American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation reports that injuries to the cranial cruciate ligament within the knee “can occur in many breeds of dogs, although large breed, active dogs like Labrador Retrievers, Rottweilers, Newfoundlands, and American Staffordshire Terriers seem predisposed.”
Where can I find out about breed-specific health issues?
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Our breed fact files are the place to look for common dog diseases and symptoms.
We list the major breeds, what they're like and discuss the common problems.
We also have our guide on how to pick a dog breed here.
Lowering your dog’s vet costs for common health issues
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We’ve covered a lot here, but of course, many other injuries and illnesses can affect dogs. Pet health problems can crop up without warning (even in young animals) and be very expensive to diagnose and treat.
Thankfully, there’s a lot you can do to keep your dog healthy and lower your veterinary costs:
Stay up to date on wellness care like vaccines and parasite prevention.
Feed your dog a nutritionally complete, age and lifestyle-appropriate diet while keeping correct portions in mind.
Provide your dog with enough physical exercise and mental stimulation to prevent boredom and problem behaviours.
Don’t let your dog run loose, and train basic commands like “come,” “stay,” “sit,” “heel,” and “drop it” for when your pet is off-leash.
Purchase a dog insurance policy that covers common health problems in dogs.
Unfortunately, unexpected veterinary costs do pop up, and the last thing you want to worry about is money when your focus should be on helping your pup feel better.
Is dog insurance worth it?
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Good dog insurance will pay for most treatment options that your veterinarian might recommend. The peace of mind that pet insurance provides is truly priceless.
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