We love them like members of the family, but they can get sick too.  Because dogs can’t tell us what they’re feeling, we have to do our best to be proactive.  To help, we have gathered some of the most common dog health ailments below with more.

1. Ear infections – Just like kids, dogs often get ear infections.  They can be caused by anything from bacteria to yeast.  Symptoms of ear infection include head shaking, scratching, redness, or swelling around the area.
2. Worms – Because worms can be such a common problem in dogs, there is often a pill that dogs have to take on a regular basis to keep the worms away.   And it isn’t only heartworms that can affect dogs.  There are also tapeworms, roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms.  Signs of worms can include diarrhea, change in appetite, and scooting.
3. Ticks – Because ticks can carry Lyme disease, they are a threat to both humans and dogs.  Ticks can also carry many other diseases that can be harmful to pets.  The symptoms of most tick-borne diseases include fever, weakness, lameness, joint swelling, and anemia.
4. Acute moist dermatitis – Also known as hot spots, they are the bare, inflamed areas of dog’s skin that has been picked at far too long.  If left untreated, they can grow larger and lead to more serious infections.  The most common cause is excessive scratching brought on by fleas or an allergic reaction.
5. Arthritis – More common in older dogs, arthritis is an inflammation of the joints that can make it difficult to move.  However, there are many over the counter and vet prescribed medications that can ease arthritis pain.  Signs of it include lack of motivation, difficulty going up or down stairs, and tentative movements.
6. Fleas – More of an annoyance than a health problem, these little critters can be a pain for both the dog and human.  It only takes a few weeks for a few eggs to become thousands of fleas, so constant vigilance is necessary.  Signs of fleas include scratching, hair loss, and they can even lead to infections.
7. Separation anxiety – A mental disorder, it is commonly found in dogs and especially puppies.  Because dogs are pack animals, they can find it difficult to deal with being alone.  However, there are ways to help dogs cope with how to be when they are all by themselves.  Signs of separation anxiety include excessive barking, jumping up, and over digging.

Brooke Stafford is a nursing practitioner student and also writes for Family Nurse Practitioner Degrees.   The site helps students find the right nurse practitioner degree to fit their needs.