2 minute read

6 Common Health Issues

JUST LIKE US HUMANS, OUR FURBABIES REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION AND TREATMENT OF MINOR AILMENTS FROM TIME-TO-TIME. THERE ARE SOME GREAT OVER-THE-COUNTER PRODUCTS THAT CAN HELP WITH THE MOST COMMON ONES. PET HEAVEN IS A PAWSOME ONLINE PLATFORM WHERE YOU CAN GET A LOT OF THESE PRODUCTS WHEN YOUR FURRY CHILDREN REQUIRE MINOR MEDICAL ATTENTION. IF YOU HAVE ANY SPECIFIC QUESTIONS OR ONGOING HEALTH CONCERNS, PLEASE BE SURE TO CONSULT YOUR LOCAL VET

*Ear Infections

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Ear infections are a common pet health problem and they can be caused by allergies, yeast, ear mites, bacteria, hair growth deep in the ear canal, and more. Symptoms your pet may have with an ear infection include: head shaking or head tilting, unusual back-and-forth eye movements, vigorous scratching and ear odour.

*Skin

Dry, dull coat. Incessant scratching, licking and chewing. Sound familiar? You are not alone! Pet skin problems are the most common presenting complaints at the veterinarian. The cause can vary from environmental, nutritional, parasitic and infectious. Identifying the cause and talking to your vet are the first steps on the road to recovery and relief. However, there are some great products to help make your furry friend more comfortable.

*Dental

Dental health is a very important part of your pet’s overall health. Cleanings help prevent conditions of the gums and the bones that hold the teeth in place, called periodontal diseases. If left untreated, these diseases can damage your pet’s internal organs – not just his or her mouth.

*Gut

Your dog has a unique collection of hundreds of different types of single-celled micro-organisms in its digestive tract. Gut bacteria are crucial for digestion and obtaining nutrients from the food your dog eats. From weight to mental health, the microbiome affects almost every aspect of your dog’s health and happiness.

*Hotspots

Those bare, inflamed, red areas you often see on dogs, commonly called hotspots, is acute moist dermatitis – a bacterial skin infection. Anything that irritates your dog’s skin enough to make him scratch or chew can lead to the pain and itch of hot spots, which, if left untreated, can quickly grow larger. A hotspot’s location can help your vet diagnose its cause. Fleas, for example, may be the source of a hip hot spot, while a hot spot at the ear might point to ear problems.

*Joints

Joint pain is, unfortunately, an all-too-common occurrence. While large breed dogs are most affected by joint issues, research indicates that 20% will suffer from some form of arthritis during their lifetimes. Indeed, it is one of the most common causes of chronic pain that veterinarians treat. The two major categories of joint problems are developmental and degenerative problems. Fortunately, there are great products to help you manage your furbabies issues and your vet can assist with a comprehensive care plan.

FOR MORE INFO www.petheaven.co.za