A dog can't tell you when it's feeling sick.
However, if you pay attention to its behavior and habits, you will be able to spot the signs when it has become sick.
For example, you might see that the dog has lost some of its energy, is urinating more frequently than normal, or is scratching itself constantly.
Here are some common canine illnesses and ways to avoid them.
1.
Flea infestation Fleas feed off of your dog's skin.
To keep fleas from invading your dog's body, do not take the dog for walks in wooded areas or places where fleas gather.
Fleas generally congregate in the grassy area of your back yard.
To avoid these nasty pests, make sure you brush your dog daily with a flea comb and this will keep fleas at bay.
2.
Ticks Ticks are another problem that can cause a dog to become ill.
Ticks carry disease and can become embedded in the dog's undercoat.
Trying to remove them from your dog can be a painful experience for the dog.
Whenever you take your dog for a walk, try to avoid areas where ticks gather, such as wooded areas, parks with thick brush and shrubbery, and especially shaded areas.
3.
Ear mites Another parasite that can be a hazard to your dog is ear mites.
If you find that your dog is scratching its ears too frequently, check to see if there is any brown colored mucus seeping from one or both ears.
This is a clear indication that the ear has become infected.
If this is the case, you will need to take your dog to a veterinarian.
4.
Worms There are numerous worms that can cause problems for your dog.
Among the most common are tapeworms, heart worms, roundworms, hookworms, and whip worms.
It is important to have your veterinarian check your dog for these periodically as some of these worms can be transferred to your children via the skin.
5.
Allergies Dogs can suffer from allergies just like humans.
Any type of bite or sting from a bug can be cause for alarm, especially if the dog is allergic.
If you notice any swelling in the area of the bite or vomiting and diarrhea, take your dog to the vet immediately for treatment.
Where these come from All of these common canine illnesses are caused by outside influences, as well as interaction with other dogs that may have fleas, ticks, or ear mites.
They can also come from dog feces or from digesting fleas.
If you have acquired a puppy that has not been vaccinated, it may have an infection it developed during nursing.
While you can avoid most of these illnesses, sometimes things just happen.
If you take your dog for daily walks, live in a rural area or take the dog on your camping trip, it can contact fleas, mites and ticks -- no matter how careful you are.
However, once you know what areas to avoid, the more likely it is that you will be able to keep your dog safe.