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Most Common Diseases in Dogs from Pennsylvania

Some diseases are more common for some dogs than others and can even vary by state such as in dogs from Pennsylvania.

Some conditions vary with risk factors in general such as injuries from being hit by a car are mostly seen in dogs that are allowed to roam or accidentally get off a leash. Certain infections such as parvovirus are common in unvaccinated puppies. But what about by location; does it make a difference in what makes a dog sick? What are the most common canine diseases by state?

This article will review the most common diseases and conditions in dogs from Pennsylvania.

The Most Common Diseases in Dogs from Pennsylvania

(in descending order) were:

  1. Vomiting
  2. Diarrhea
  3. Cranial cruciate ligament tears
  4. Otitis/ear infections
  5. Urinary tract infections
  6. Gastroenteritis (vomiting and diarrhea)
  7. Dermatitis
  8. Lethargy
  9. Skin infection (AKA pyoderma; can be secondary to allergies)
  10. Hind leg lameness
  11. Hip dysplasia
  12. Pruritus (itching; often secondary to allergies)
  13. Lymphoma
  14. Gastritis (inflammation of the stomach resulting in vomiting)
  15. Conjunctivitis (inflammation of the tissue around the eye)
  16. Allergies
  17. Foreleg lameness
  18. Masses or lumps on the body
  19. Fever
  20. Elbow dysplasia

Summary of Problems in Dogs from Pennsylvania

As you can see from this list, a few major patterns exist.

  1. Vomiting, diarrhea, and a combination of the two are very common. Between the different causes, this accounts for a whopping 31.6% of dog illness and vet visits in Pennsylvania.
  2. Allergies are a big deal! Allergies can present as ear infections, itching, or skin infections (pyoderma). These problems account for almost 25% of the state’s top 20.
  3. Arthritis and orthopedic causes of lameness are notable. Cruciate ligament tears are a common knee injury, and hip dysplasia, osteoarthritis, and lameness in the front or back legs are seen frequently as well. These problems account for another 17% of dog illness and vet visits, much higher than other states such as Texas.
  4. Lumps and lymphoma are terms for tumors and cancer. These two items were in Pennsylvania’s top 20 list but are less common in the neighboring state of Ohio. These two items account for approximately 5½ % of vet visits for the Keystone State.

I hope this gives you a better understanding of possible problems that can occur in dogs from Pennsylvania.

What Can You Do? Prevention of Most Common Problems

We hope these tips help keep your Pennsylvania dog healthy.