Most Common Diseases in Dogs from Texas

Most Common Diseases in Texas Canines

Some diseases are more common for some dogs than others. For example, 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 non-vaccinated 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 Texas.

Most Common Conditions in Dogs from Texas

(in descending order) were:

1. Vomiting
2. Diarrhea
3. Otitis/ear infections
4. Dermatitis
5. Allergies
6. Gastroenteritis (vomiting and diarrhea)
7. Urinary tract infections
8. Skin infection (AKA pyoderma; can be secondary to allergies)
9. Coughing
10. Intervertebral disc disease
11. Conjunctivitis
12. Pruritus
13. Generalized demodecosis
14. Skin masses
15. Cranial cruciate ligament tears
16. Lameness
17. Sarcoma
18. Hypothyroidism
19. Atopic dermatitis
20. Diabetes mellitus

Summary of Texas Dog Illnesses:

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 of these symptoms, this accounts for nearly 27% of dog illness and vet visits in Texas. That’s less than some states in the Midwest, such as Ohio and Pennsylvania, which were closer to 30%.
2. Allergies are big! Allergies can present as ear infections, itching, skin infections (pyoderma), and skin parasites. These problems can account for almost 41.2% of the top 20 dog illness and vet visits in Texas. This is higher Ohio and Pennsylvania or even Florida and California.
3. Arthritis and orthopedic causes of lameness are common problems. Cruciate ligament tearing is a common knee injury and lameness account for approximately 9.5% of dog illness and vet visits in Texas. Orthopedic problems seem to be substantially lower in this state compared to dogs in the Midwest.
4. Lumps and sarcoma are terms for tumors and cancer. These two items were in the top 20 list in Texas and Pennsylvania but not in Ohio. They account for approximately 5.6% of the top 20 in Texas and 8.2% in Florida.
5. Lastly, urinary tract infections represented 4% of vet visits and are not greatly different from other states.

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

How to Prevent of the Most Common Problems in Texas Dogs

• 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 Texas 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.
• Provide plenty of fresh clean water and lots of opportunities to urinate in order to help minimize urinary tract infections.
• 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 Texas dog healthy.

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