Common Dog Diseases and Health Issues

Pets get sick, even with the best of care. Unexpected illnesses and serious diseases affect dogs and cats of all ages and breeds without reason or fault. Not only is it emotionally devastating to find out your pet is sick, but the veterinarian care for a sick pet can be very costly.

Pet cancer is the number one natural cause of death in older pets. Just like in people, the cause of cancer in dogs and cats is largely unknown.

Millions of dogs and cats are diagnosed with new illnesses every year. Before you are faced with such a situation, consider the benefits of pet insurance. Just like other types of insurance – health insurance, homeowners insurance, car insurance, or life insurance – pet insurance can provide protection and peace of mind.

Common Dog Diseases and Health Issues

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Pets are prone to a wide variety of diseases, from mild to severe, treatable to fatal, and curable to chronic. Overall dogs have more genetic diseases and serious illnesses than cats, but neither dogs nor cats are immune from having health issues. While there are literally hundreds of conditions that can affect the health of your pet, listed below are some of the most common.

  • Ear Infections
  • Skin Allergies
  • Cancer
  • Arthritis
  • Obesity
  • Diabetes
  • Heart Disease
  • Kidney Failure
  • Dental Disease
  • Lyme Disease
Common Cat Diseases and Health Issues
  • Skin Allergies
  • Ear Infections
  • Diabetes
  • Urinary Problems
  • Kidney Failure
  • Hairballs
  • Upper Respiratory Infections
  • Obesity
  • Cancer
  • Cat Scratch Disease

Preventing Health Problems in Your Pet

While you can’t completely eliminate all health risks in your dog or cat, there are several steps you can take to help prevent or postpone many serious health conditions and promote good health in your pet for many years to come.

Pet Health Insurance

One of the best things you can do to keep your pet healthy is to take your dog or cat into the veterinarian for routine check-ups. Your veterinarian will monitor your pet’s health, administer vaccinations, and advise on healthy pet care. Also, regular exams will make it more likely that health problems will be discovered sooner rather than later. Early detection is key in outcome, as most health conditions can be treated more successfully when they are caught in the earlier stages of development.

  • Schedule regular well-care exams with the veterinarian

Some of the most deadly pet diseases can be prevented with regular vaccinations and preventive treatments. Discuss the options with your veterinarian and use only medications prescribed or recommended by the veterinarian for your pet.

  • Have your pet vaccinated
  • Use a flea and tick product
  • Ask about heartworm preventive

Many common pet illnesses can be prevented or reduced by providing pets with a healthy diet and regular exercise. More and more pets are becoming overweight or obese, a result of overfeeding and insufficient exercise. Excess weight not only affects a pet’s ability to play and move around, but it can lead to many serious diseases such as diabetes, arthritis, and heart disease.

  • Feed your pet a healthy, balanced diet
  • Exercise your pet daily
  • Monitor your pet’s weight

Routine dental care will benefit your pet’s overall health and help prevent tooth loss, gum disease, and bad breath. Dental problems can also trigger more serious conditions, including heart disease and a weakened immune system.

  • Brush your pet’s teeth on a weekly or monthly basis
  • Or use a dental formula food that promotes dental health
  • Give your pets tartar control treats

Pet Insurance Coverage

Pet insurance is available to cover accidents, illnesses, and routine care. Whatever level of coverage you feel is right for your situation, make sure your pet is insured before a health issue arises and it’s too late. In all cases, make sure your pet receives routine health care to prolong life and many enjoyable years together.

Pet insurance can help defray the cost of veterinary care for many common illnesses and diseases, so you won’t have to decide between going into debt or providing medical treatment for your pet. When shopping around for pet insurance, however, make sure you compare coverage and understand both the benefits and limitations of the policy as pet plans can vary greatly.

Veterinary Care Statistics

Veterinary services have risen an estimated 79% from 2010 to 2018 and veterinary fee inflation has averaged 5.6% per year since 2010. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

Pet Insurance Statistics

The average number of visits to the veterinarian in 2018 was 2.6 for dogs and 1.7 for cats. Source: American Veterinary Medical Association

The average veterinary expenditure per household in 2007 was $356 for dogs and $190 for cats. Source: American Veterinary Medical Association

Pet owners spent $24.5 billion on veterinary medicine in 2018 . This amount is more than double what was spent 10 years ago. Source: American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)

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