Don’t let your dog’s health become prey to common health problems! The most common dog problems are often overlooked until they turn into an emergency, but could have been prevented from the outset.

While dog fleas may be irritating, they may seem like they don’t rank as a health problem. But what you may not know is that fleas can pose a serious health risk for your pet. Besides the annoying biting and scratching that your dog exhibits when they are being bitten by fleas these tiny creatures’ bites can lead to skin problems and infections. Some dogs develop flea allergy dermatitis, which is an allergy to flea saliva and can lead to hair loss and bald spots. Fleas can also act as a conduit for tapeworms and other diseases. The best way to protect your dog from flea bites is though prevention. Monthly anti-flea medication, such as Advantage, that is applied topically to your dog is most often used for the prevention of flea infestations. Other remedies, such as collars or herbal remedies containing Neem Oil can be used to help guard against fleas.

Ticks are a common danger for dogs, and due to their thick coat and proximity to the ground they are 50 to 100 times more likely to come in contact with ticks that carry diseases. Lyme disease and anaplasmosis, which is similar to Texas fever, are just two of the diseases that thousands of dogs contract every year from ticks. No matter where your dog roams, ticks may be present and the best cure is prevention. Once again, veterinarians frequently recommend spot-on or topical for the prevention of ticks, although some people do use herbal remedies containing Neem oil as well.

Dog worms are not only a hazard to dogs but humans and cats as well. There are four common dog worms: flatworms, hookworms, roundworms, and tapeworms. Puppies can contract worms from an infected mother, but adult dogs often pick up worms from the feces of other infected pets. While you can often spot worms in your pet’s feces, there are some worms that can only be seen under a microscope. Worms can cause a variety of serious health issues, including damaging the lugs and liver, or causing death. There are many options to prevent worms, including topical treatments and injections, but make sure your pet’s veterinarian has cleared him or her for medication, because treating an infected dog with preventatives could cause your pet serious harm.

Most people assume that a dog’s ear problems begin and end with ear mites, a parasite similar to the flea, which often infects dogs. In reality dogs can also suffer from otitis, or an inflammation of the ear, which can result in hearing loss. These infections are cause by unusually high bacteria in the ear or foreign objects being inserted in the dog’s ear. Since the signs that a dog has ear mites or an ear infection can be the same, improper treatment can result in hearing damage or loss for your pet. Dogs that swim, have allergies, or have their ears cleaned too frequently may be at a higher risk for ear infections. If your pet displays symptoms of shaking his or her head or scratching their head on the ground or other objects, it is wisest to take your pet to the veterinarian immediately for a thorough diagnosis.

Dental disease is common among dogs due to tartar build-up along the gum line causing gingivitis. The best prevention is the same for dogs as it is for humans: daily cleaning of the teeth. Despite common perception dogs’ mouths can house many bacteria and rawhide chews do not do enough to clean their teeth. It is therefore important to brush your dog’s teeth on a regular basis. Halitosis, or doggie breath, is the leading sign of dental disease in dogs.

Obesity is another common health issue for dogs. Because we love our pets and love to treat them pet owners are prone to over-feeding their four legged friends. Unfortunately our pets often don’t get enough exercise, often because of having to be kenneled while their humans work or other similar circumstances. Overweight dogs are more prone to health problems including stress on the joints, heart, lungs, and kidneys. Osteoarthritis, respiratory problems and diabetes mellitus are also common among overweight pets. Prevention is the best way to fight off these major health problems, but even if fido is already overweight you can easily turn his or her health around. While diet food may be recommended by your veterinarian you can also help your pet back to fit by cutting back on the amount of food you give him or her at meals, praising your pet with affection instead of food, and making sure they have at least an hour of high-activity play every day. Walking, jogging, playing outdoor games, or playing with their puppy pals are some great ways to get your dog active.

Prevention is always the best way to ensure your pet’s health. Talk with your vet about what you can do to prevent these common problems from affecting your dog’s health.