Most Common Diseases in Dogs from Florida

Most Common Diseases in Florida 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 Florida.

Most Common Diseases or Conditions in Dogs From Florida

(in descending order) were:

1. Diarrhea
2. Vomiting
3. Otitis/ear infections
4. Allergies
5. Dermatitis
6. Lymphoma
7. Seizures
8. Urinary tract infections
9. Gastroenteritis (vomiting and diarrhea)
10. Skin infection (AKA pyoderma; can be secondary to allergies)
11. Lethargy
12. Pruritus (itching; often secondary to allergies)
13. Corneal ulcer
14. Osteoarthritis
15. Cranial cruciate ligament tears
16. Skin masses
17. Lameness
18. Generalized demodicosis
19. Hypothyroidism
20. Entropion

Summary of Canine Illness in Florida:

As you can see from this list, a few major patterns exist in dogs from Florida.

1. Vomiting, diarrhea, and a combination of the two are very common. Between the different causes of these symptoms, this accounts for almost 21% of dog illness and vet visits in Florida. This is less than some states in the Midwest such as Ohio and Pennsylvania, which had incidence rates closer to 30%.
2. Allergies are a big deal! Allergies can present as ear infections, itching, skin infections (pyoderma), and skin parasites. These problems can account for almost 35% of vet visits in Florida, higher than Ohio and Pennsylvania.
3. 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 show up regularly as well. These problems account for another 5.5% of Floridian dog illness and vet visits. This is substantially lower than dogs in the Midwest where reports are closer to 17 or 20%.
4. Lumps and lymphoma are terms for tumors and cancer. These two items account for approximately 8.2% of the reasons dogs get sick or go to the vet in Florida, and were in the top 20 list in Pennsylvania as well but not in Ohio.

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

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 Florida dog healthy.