Top cases vet see come in and how easy they are to Avoid?
As a vet, I see lots of sick animals on a daily basis. A lot of these cases repeat themselves from consult to consult. A few of my most seen cases are:
- Diarrhoea
- Cough
- Sore/itchy ears
- Gingivitis
So, how do we prevent each of these from happening? As I always say, prevention is better than cure!
Diarrhoea can be caused by many many many diseases/illnesses, and so if your dog is sick, it’s definitely best to get them checked by your Vet to find the underlying cause and rule out anything sinister. But, there are definitely things we can do as owners to stop the most common causes, such as, no sudden changes in diet, or allowing them to eat things they shouldn’t!! Making sure your canine is wormed, making sure they are vaccinated, and possibly even adding a probiotic to their diet!
Coughs again is a clinical sign of many illnesses/diseases so this is another one where a Vet visit is recommended. But, what can we do to stop the more common cause? Vaccinate! Kennel cough is spread so easily from dog to dog, so ensure your canines are all up to date!
Sore/ itchy ears this unfortunately is a common presentation, again with many causes. In my experience, two of the most common causes are ear parasites and ear infections, So, treating external parasites is paramount, and cleaning your dog’s ears regularly (especially if they are prone to build up of debris) can help stop infections from taking hold.
Gingivitis is inflammation of the gums and is caused by the buildup of plaque. I often see dogs not eating due to sore mouths. Although tooth brushing is recommended, it is not really the most practical in many cases, so sometimes a dietary supplement, such as ‘Go – smile’ can help in the prevention of plaque build up. It has an active ingredient (phytodent) but also mechanically removes plaque as your dog chews on their treat!
