Common pet health problems and how to avoid them

Keeping your pet healthy

While you can’t predict what ailments your kitten or puppy may suffer from as it grows, there are some common conditions that it’s worth being aware of, so that they can be treated at the earliest opportunity. Direct Line pet insurance can also help you deal with vets bills for unexpected injuries and accidents.

Having your dog neutered is necessary to prevent unwanted puppies, but can also have other health benefits. Spaying females under a year old reduces the risk of breast cancer. It also prevents pyometra (a pus-filled womb) and symptoms relating to false pregnancy. Neutered males benefit from a reduced risk of prostrate disease and some cancers. It will also make them less likely to roam and get into fights.

Head to toe

Vaccinating your puppy against killer diseases, such as distemper and parvovirus, have obvious benefits. Puppies should be given worming tablets every fortnight until they are 12 weeks old and four times a year when they are an adult. Weekly grooming and monthly flea control treatment should be adhered to so that skin and ear diseases are kept at bay.

As with humans, dental checks for dogs should be routine, as well as keeping on top of brushing their teeth. Scavenging needs to be discouraged to prevent stomach upsets and to control your dog’s food intake. Frequent vomiting and diarrhoea should be checked out by your vet. Many older dogs are prone to arthritis, and will need a soft bed, assistance up and down stairs and lots of TLC.

Top cat

The positive reasons for neutering a dog are the same for a cat too. Male cats should be neutered at five to six months in order to minimise the risk of contracting the cat form of AIDS, Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV). If your cat does contract FIV, it doesn’t necessarily reduce its lifespan. Keep it indoors or fence off part of your garden, as it will be at risk of infecting other cats if it gets into a fight.

It’s important to try and prevent a cat with FIV from catching other diseases, so don’t give it raw food that might carry bacteria – such as raw eggs and milk. Cats that haven’t been neutered are also more likely to spray in the house and be aggressive.

Again, like dogs, the appropriate vaccinations should be given to guard against such diseases as leukaemia and cat flu. If your adult cat contracts cat flu, you should offer it sloppy, strong-smelling foods (it will probably have temporarily lost its smell) and have it regularly checked over by the vet.

Routine care

Kittens should be wormed every two weeks until they are 16 weeks old and adults two to four times a year, as well as when females are feeding kittens. Dental care and regular brushing is essential, as gum disease and tooth decay are common problems.

Cats can be trained to accept you doing these things, although the younger they are when you start the better. You’ll need a special brush from your vet and should wait until they’re in a relaxed mood.

Cystitis is a common problem in cats and can be exacerbated by stress. It will need to be treated by a vet, but regular flare-ups can be eased with a wet food diet, more water intake, and the reduction of stress – not having to share feeding bowls and litter trays with other cats for example.

Regular health checks, sticking to a recommended vaccination programme and keeping a general eye on your pet’s wellbeing should keep your four-legged companion in prime condition.

Sources of further information:

• Blue Cross
• Allaboutpets

Related information:

Pet health checker – information on simple checks you can do regularly at home

Understanding pet insurance – essential reading if you’re never owned a cat or dog before

Dog theft – unfortunately this is on the rise in the UK so make sure you know how to prevent it