Whether your pet is suffering from a serious cardiovascular illness like DCM or something less life-threatening like dry skin, no compassionate pet owner wishes to see an animal suffer. Especially an animal that is officially part of the family. Dogs have earned the rightful label of man’s best friend over the years, and that label will stick forever.
It is completely normal to feel invested in your furry friend, and when your pooch isn’t feeling well in any way, it will very likely have an effect on you as well. Just think about the last time the vet gave you even the smallest bit of bad news.
Your heart probably felt a clenching, and all you wanted to do at that moment in time was cuddle up with your dog and give it the love and attention that the animal deserves. After the cuddle session, though, it’s time to take measures into your own hands and help your pup heal in whatever ways you can. In order to do this, you must have a solid understanding of the health issue at hand in order to go about treating it.
Some of the most common canine medical conditions can be treated with a short course of antibiotics, while others require more extensive medical treatment. Find out about these two common (yet very different) medical conditions below.
Canine Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Although canine DCM has been getting a lot of attention in dog-related news, it is an extremely common condition that only a few dog breeds are likely to develop. The reason this condition has gotten so much attention lately is the fact that there has been a drastic spike in the cases of DCM as of late. But even with this spike, DCM is fairly rare.
Albeit a rare medical condition, it is still one that is worth talking about, especially if you are the owner of a large dog breed. DCM is a cardiovascular condition that causes the heart to enter a weakened state. As the organ weakens, it is unable to efficiently pump blood throughout the body. We all know that blood pumping is a crucial bodily operation, but why? Blood contains oxygen as well as vital nutrients that are needs all throughout the body, including the canine body.
So even though the likelihood of your pooch developing DCM is very low, it is important to chat with your vet about the disease. Your vet will let you know if your dog has a predisposition to DCM based on its specific breed, size, and lifestyle habits. To guide you with the different dog breeds, visit Anything German Shepherd.
Dry Skin
Dry skin doesn’t sound like a big deal, but it actually is. Dry skin in a canine could be pointing to an underlying medical issue. On top of that, it can cause a dog to itch, which ultimately leads to shedding all over the house. Dry skin could be a symptom of a food-related allergy, so it might be time to make the switch to hypoallergenic, grain-free pet food.
