3 Conditions Which Could Affect Your Puppy: A Guide
If you have recently adopted a dog, you will be about to enjoy a very special time as you welcome the new member of your family into the household. However, as a new dog owner, it is essential that you educate yourself about the possible medical conditions which could affect your puppy as it grows. Below is a guide to 3 problems which your pup could face and the treatment your local vet can offer to remedy the condition.
Infection of the Ear Canal
This is a medical problem which often affects young pups. This is because younger dogs like to roll about outside and to play in the dirt. Doing so create the perfect opportunity for debris to enter the ear canal. When this occurs, it can lead to an ear infection. The first sign that your dog has an infection will be when they keep placing their paw on the affected ear and shaking their head. A vet will be able to remove any debris and will prescribe antibiotics to clear the infection.
Cataracts
Cataracts occur when the lens in your dog's eye begins to cloud up. It is caused when proteins which are on the surface of the lens begin to clump together. Although cataracts usually affect older dogs, they can also affect puppies who are genetically predisposed to them. While cataracts do not pose any immediate threat to your dog's health, they can make it difficult for dogs to see which could place them at risk of harm if they do not see dangers such as cars and sharp drops when out walking. If your dog keeps turning its head at a funny angle to see, it could be trying to compensate for the loss of vision in one eye. If you notice any change in the colour of the iris, you should take your dog to the vet. The vet will be able to carry to schedule surgery to remove the cloudy lens before replacing it with an artificial one.
Arthritis
Arthritis is another condition which typically affects older dogs but which can also sometimes occur in younger pups. A warning sign that your pup may have arthritis is if they seem slow when moving around or less agile than they once were. Pups are normally full of energy and will have no problem moving around. If you notice any changes in your pups ability to freely move around, you should take them to the vet. The vet will be able to carry out tests to establish if your dog has arthritis. If your dog does have arthritis, the vet will be able to prescribe anti-inflammatory medication which will help to reduce the impact of the disease.
For further info, contact your vet.