Canine Health: Exploring and Understanding Common Ailments

Welcome to a deep dive into the captivating world of dogs, where health and well-being take center stage. As a passionate professional dog coach, my goal is to share knowledge and insights that strengthen our understanding of the illnesses our four-legged friends may encounter. Grasping these aspects is crucial for crafting a life filled with love and care for our loyal companions.

9 Common Ailments Dogs May Face:

Poisoning: Dogs, with their curiosity, might accidentally get exposed to toxic substances. Certain plants are poisonous and should be removed or dug up and disposed of, such as:

• Giant Hog weed

• Yew - toxic regardless of quantity, causing vomiting, diarrhea, respiratory problems, and seizures.

• Laburnum

• Privet

• Oleander

• Angel's Trumpet

Dehydration (due to dry food): Diet plays a crucial role in a dog's health. Dogs are designed to consume food containing natural water with organic compounds. Many people today feed their dogs dry kibble, sometimes with a splash of water. However, this type of food lacks the organic compounds necessary for a dog's well-being. Feeding dry kibble can strain the dog's body, especially the kidneys. Learn more about this in the blog post titled "The Vital Significance of Water," published on October 18.

Dehydration (due to heatstroke): In extremely high temperatures, we must protect our dogs from heatstroke. Dogs should always have access to shade and clean water.

Watch out for symptoms such as:

• Excessive panting

• Very red gums/mucous membranes

• Increased heart rate and breathing difficulties

• Vomiting and diarrhea

• Restlessness, confusion, and seizures.

If an accident occurs, follow these steps: rinse the dog with cool (15°C / 59°F) water, wrap the dog in wet, cool towels, and quickly take the dog to the vet.

Diabetes: Dogs can also suffer from diabetes. We already know that diet plays a crucial role in a dog's health. To avoid your dog developing diabetes, provide a balanced diet that supports and strengthens health instead of burdening and breaking it down. Read more about a balanced diet under the "Food" tab.

Signs that your dog may have diabetes include:

• Increased thirst and urination

• Weight loss

• Increased appetite.

Reduce starch intake and increase calcium intake; you can do this by giving more bones or finely ground eggshells along with apple cider vinegar for digestion. In some cases, you may need to reduce the amount of food. Soaked chia seeds help stabilize blood sugar.

Gastrointestinal Issues: Many dogs experience problems with the stomach and/or intestines. This is largely due to incorrect diet or proportions in the diet. Most commonly, dogs get too much fat in their food. If you have a completely healthy dog, a maximum of 10% of the food should consist of fat. If the dog has stomach/intestinal problems, a maximum of 5% of your dog's food should be fat. This can manifest as:

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Weight loss

• Eating grass

• Itching

• Biting paws

• Runny eyes

• Ear infections/itchy ears

• Problems with anal sacs (scooting)

• Noisy stomach

• Muscle pain/lameness

• Seizures

• Refusing to eat.

Medications that alleviate symptoms may help temporarily, but in the long run, you must review the diet and provide the dog with the right nutrition.

Skin Problems: Itching, rashes, and other skin problems are often linked to "Gastrointestinal Issues".

Lameness: The causes of lameness can be many. But if your dog hasn't physically injured itself, such as slipping or stumbling, you should also review "Gastrointestinal Issues".

Ear Problems: Inflammations or itching in the ears are associated with "Gastrointestinal Issues".

Vaccine Injury: Vaccines can be a touchy subject for many, I have spoken to both those who believe very strongly in vaccines and those who do not believe in them at all or who have been harmed by these injections. Here it is important to be humble before each other's opinions and understand that there are always two sides. However, despite the belief in the necessity of vaccinations for a dog's immunity, serious side effects can occur. As a responsible dog owner, your first step is to read the package insert and examine the list of side effects and vaccine components. Many vaccines contain substances that can potentially harm your dog in the short or long term, especially if you choose to constantly refill your dog's vaccines. The key is to do your research before injecting foreign substances into your dog's body.

Understanding these illnesses and their potential impact on your dog's well-being is crucial.

Embark on this journey towards deeper insights and a stronger connection with your beloved dog.

Note: Always consult with a veterinarian for proper diagnosis and treatment. The information provided here is for educational purposes only.

//Mirabelle Wesden