The 5 Most Common Veterinary Problems

Vaccinations, routine check-ups, and deworming. These are the only issues  to address regarding taking your pet to the veterinarian, but pets also do get sick. In this article you can read about some of the most common veterinary problems that animal health professionals deal with on a daily basis.

1. Gastrointestinal problems

It’s quite common to see dogs or cats that are taken to the vet due to vomiting or diarrhea. Although there are several causes for these conditions, they are generally due to bacteria, parasites, or protozoan fungi that animals get orally.

As you know, animals will put anything in their mouths’. Therefore it’s important to monitor your animal as much as possible, in order to prevent him from ingesting anything that could cause a gastrointestinal issue.

Learn about the most common veterinary problems and remember that it’s always better preventing he problem than treating it.

2. Skin diseases

Skin diseases in pets are another very common veterinary problem. 

An animal could come to the vet because he is has:

• Dermatitis
• Hair loss
• Itching

The reasons are different in these cases. Among them:

• Fungi
• Bacteria
• Mites
• Deficiency in diet
• Hormonal imbalance
• Allergy to pet hygiene products

3. Claudications

Owners frequently take their pets to the vet because their limbs are immobilized due to pain. An animal could limp due to the following reasons:

• Blows
• Trauma
• Inflamed joints
• Ligament degeneration

Besides the accidents that could happen to your pet both inside and outside the house, being overweight also contributes to problems on your pet’s paw.

4. Hormonal imbalances

If your pet has an endocrine disorder, probably your dog looks too big or too skinny even though he eats a healthy diet. 

The most common veterinary problems in this category are:

• Hypothyroidism
• Diabetes
• Adrenal gland syndromes

Furthermore, if the animal is older, he might have liver or kidney deterioration. 

5. Zoonotic diseases

Diseases that can be transmitted between humans and animals are also at the top of the list of reasons for having veterinary visits. Some of them include:

• Brucellosis
• Toxoplasmosis
• Leptospirosis
• Leishmaniasis
• Echinococcosis

Your pet’s diet is important in regard to his health

Since it’s always better to prevent than treat, it’s best to follow the veterinarian’s advice to prevent your pet from getting sick. Other than vaccinations, deworming, and periodic check-ups that were mentioned above, the diet plays a key role too.

Whether store-bought or homemade, your pet’s food must be high-quality and meet the nutritional requirements according to his traits. The factors at play here are age, size, physical activity, etc.

However, you should also remember to avoid overfeeding your dog or cat. Just as it was mentioned earlier, obesity can cause distinct health problems sooner or later. So make sure you’re giving your pet the correct amount of food. It’s also not good to give him an insufficient amount. Pay a lot of attention to this matter.

Other common reasons to visit the vet

It’s not unusual that your cat or dog’s behavioral problems are also a reason to visit the veterinarian. Anxiety, vandalism, excessive barking or meowing… These are some cases that are more serious than others. In more extreme cases, the veterinarian might recommend an animal behavior specialist.

Likewise, don’t forget to ask about getting your pet spayed or neutered. Therefore, be responsible and avoid bring unwanted litters from coming into the world.