If your dog is having sneezing fits your vet should be able to identify the root cause of the problem. Reputable pet insurance policies will protect you financially from the costs of these visits.

Healthy dogs breathe 16-20 times per minute however this figure is often disrupted by a wide range of respiratory problems, including sneezing.[1] Canine sneezing can have a number of underlying causes. Here are four of the most common:

Allergies:
Like people, dogs can develop allergies to a wide range of substances including pollen, food, fleas, mites, and even dust. Your vet may be able to carry out an allergy test, but if they are unable to undertake tests in their own practice, they will probably refer you to a specialist who can help.

Whether these tests are carried out by your vet or by the specialist they recommend, your pet insurance should be able to cover the cost.

Tooth root problems:
Dental problems are as common in dogs as they are in people. If the root of your dog’s tooth becomes infected, the pain they can suffer is extreme. Deep infections of the root, and even the surrounding bone, can leave no visible trace on the exterior of the tooth so don’t be too hasty ruling out dental problems as a possible cause of breathing problems.

Foreign objects:
As dogs spend a lot of time sniffing around, they can get foreign objects such as grass, wood chips and other debris stuck in their airways, which can cause sneezing.

Nasal infections:
Fungal infections are a relatively common cause of nasal diseases in dogs. If this is the cause of your dog’s sneezing it will probably be accompanied by a nasal discharge.

Whatever the underlying cause, there is plenty your vet can do to investigate. In addition to a thorough physical examination, they can take x-rays of the tooth roots and nasal passages and, if necessary, examine your dog’s airways under anaesthesia for a foreign body.

Reputable pet insurance should cover the costs of treatment, whichever course of action you and your vet decide on. Once your dog is rid of their incessant sneezing, the contented calm of your home will be a breath of fresh air for you both.

[1] – vetinfo.com/dognorm.html

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Canine distemper is one of the biggest dog health problems your pet could happen to face. Unlike many other disorders of dogs, canine distemper is a fatal disease. Brought about by the canine distemper virus it is spread through the virus that is being carried by air. As affected animals excrete billions of virus particles they are carried by air to infect other healthy dogs. When the virus infects a dog that is not vaccinated, it develops dog health problems such as high fever and gastrointestinal problems.

Canine distemper affects young pups of the age group of three to six months most often. Also the recovery rate of pups of this age is very low. The symptoms that appear with dogs infected by this disease are the diarrhea, vomiting, high fever and finally pneumonia. Also there could be other signs of dog health problems such as poor muscle coordination and paralysis. Depression and increase of sensitivity to sounds and light could be there.

A dog affected by canine distemper may suffer from eye problems such as swollen eyes, discharge from eyes. Finally it will get the optic nerve attacked resulting blindness. As canine distemper is one of the most dangerous dog health problems you need to take all the care in order to prevent your pet getting infected with it. This becomes most important as there is no cure for this dangerous disease. The best way of prevention is to get your pet vaccinated against this virus disease.

The first thing you need to do when you bring a pet home is to show it to the veterinarian. He will provide you with the record book in which your pups records are entered. The veterinarian will indicate the dates you need to vaccinate your pet against a few dog health problems. Canine distemper is one of the diseases against which your pet will be vaccinated. Taking your pet on the right dates for the vaccinations will solve your pet’s dog health problems. In addition to canine distemper, your pet will be vaccinated against many other viral diseases too. Timely vaccination could save your pet from all these dog health problems.

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