Pet Owners Who Spot Kidney Disease In Dogs Can Manage Health Care

During 1990 through 1992, in the United states, the number of households that owned pets escalated by more than 1 million households, or 58% of all households. Thirty-eight percent of these households owned 1.5 dogs, for a total of 53.3 million dogs. Between 2005 and 2006, a survey of pet owners reported a dog population of 73 million. Dog owners must contend with keeping their canines healthy throughout its lifetime. Kidney disease in dogs is a common health problem that faces owners, particularly for pets who reach mature years.

According to the Humane Society, in 2007 more than half of dog owners in the U. S. Had one dog, 25% owned two dogs, and 15% were the owners of three or more canines. Nearly 75% of dog owners identified their dog as a member of their family.

Research studies indicate that pet ownership can improve the health and well being of people. Lowered blood pressure and higher resistance to disease have been reported. Unconditional love and companionship have been linked to lowered anxiety and depression, motivating people to exercise, connecting people others, and helping to create a sense of purpose. The benefits of companion dog ownership have been particularly beneficial to the well being of elderly people.

Research shows that pet owners have reduced total visits to doctors in a one year period compared to people who do not own pets. Studies have concluded that pets enable owners to cope more successfully with life stressors for better physical and emotional health.

Within veterinary medicine, dog health is often the focus of research studies. The health of pets is important because of the high number of pet owners. Infectious diseases can become a health problem that spreads from the doge population to the human population. Rabies is an example. Besides infectious diseases, genetic disorders can also affect pets. Selective breeding may contribute to the creation of genetic disorders.

Infectious diseases include viral disease, such as rabies, bacterial, fungal, parasitic, genetic, skin, and orthopedic conditions. Tumors and cancer occur among canine health concerns. Bloating and gastric torsion are among gastrointestinal ailments. Canines also suffer from eye, vestibular and heart conditions.

Although some diseases and health problems are unique to humans and animals, others are common. Pets, much like humans, can become stricken with epilepsy, diabetes, and cancer. For senior dogs, health problems can increase through the years, particularly for the kidneys. The health condition impairs the kidneys by up to 75%. The impairment of the kidneys results in their malfunctioning. Impaired kidneys fail to rid the blood of toxins and waste, typically resulting in a poisonous internal environment that eventually leads to death.

Signs of malfunctioning include dehydration, which can be tested by gently pulling the dog skin away from the body to determine whether the skin quickly snaps back into place properly. Stiff movement or arched back is also a symptom of illness. Reduced eating and failure to eat, along with high thirst and frequent urination, may also indicate illness. Visiting a veterinarian for proper diagnosis and treatment of kidney disease in dogs can help pet owners ensure better pet health. Veterinarians may advise pet owners to put their pets on a more healthy eating plan that includes protein.