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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:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Cranial cruciate ligament tears
- Otitis/ear infections
- Urinary tract infections
- Gastroenteritis (vomiting and diarrhea)
- Dermatitis
- Lethargy
- Skin infection (AKA pyoderma; can be secondary to allergies)
- Hind leg lameness
- Hip dysplasia
- Pruritus (itching; often secondary to allergies)
- Lymphoma
- Gastritis (inflammation of the stomach resulting in vomiting)
- Conjunctivitis (inflammation of the tissue around the eye)
- Allergies
- Foreleg lameness
- Masses or lumps on the body
- Fever
- Elbow dysplasia
Summary of Problems in Dogs from Pennsylvania
As you can see from this list, a few major patterns exist.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
- To prevent many of the problems associated with vomiting and diarrhea, keep your dog on a good quality dog food and avoid feeding them table scraps. Don’t let your dog roam where he or she can get into the trash, eat other dog feces, or consume objects that aren’t digestible.
- To prevent ear infections, dry your dog’s ears well if you bathe your dog or he swims.
- Allergies are a harder problem to prevent. Many veterinarians recommend feeding a high quality grain free or limited ingredient food, maintaining good flea control, and periodically bathing your dog with a good shampoo designed for dogs.
- Orthopedic problems can be hard to prevent when dogs play. The best thing you can do to prevent traumas such as being hit by a car that can cause lameness is keep your dog leashed.
- Monitor any lumps and bumps for changes. See your vet if you see differences or growth in any of your dog’s skin. Your vet may do a fine needle aspirate test or biopsy to check cells for signs of cancer.
We hope these tips help keep your Pennsylvania dog healthy.
