Like people, dogs can suffer from many different diseases and other maladies. If not treated promptly, Beagle health problems can be emotionally draining and expensive to deal with. The best medicine is to be proactive and help your dog maintain a healthy lifestyle and you’ll both be happier for it.
Potential Beagle Health Problems
Your Beagle can come down with a variety of illnesses, but one difference between dogs and people is that your dog can’t tell you when it hurts until it has progressed beyond a minor ache. To avoid having your dog suffer, you’ll need to check him over regularly and learn to recognize symptoms early.
1. Infections
Like their human counterparts, your Beagle can suffer from ear, eye, skin and tooth infections. Ear infections are probably the most common, given the large, floppy ears that are prone to accumulating dirt and unwanted organisms. Check your Beagles ears frequently for redness, swelling, dirt or fluids. Infections are one of the easiest Beagle health problems to avoid – just keep your dog’s ears, eyes, teeth and coat clean and you will keep problems to a minimum.
2. Allergies
Beagles can also have allergies and flea allergies are probably the most common. Look for redness and swelling on the skin and ears. The best cure is an ounce of prevention – visit your vet to get flea and tick repellants that are applied to the skin periodically. Food allergies may also be an issue, which can show up as skin problems and other issues. Your vet can help you figure this out and how to best treat it, often with a different brand or type of dog food.
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3. Parasites
Heartworm is one of the most serious Beagle health problems and will be deadly if left untreated. This parasite is passed on from mosquitoes and is prevented with medication available from your vet. Don’t wait until it’s too late, since heartworm cannot be cured when it passes a critical stage. Other parasites can invade your Beagle’s innards, often by eating dog poop. Your vet can test and treat for these, as well.
4. Diabetes
Beagle health problems will often be similar to those we find in human beings. Diabetes is a good example and can usually be prevented with proper diet and exercise. Feed your dog a high quality, high-protein dog food in an amount appropriate for his size. Keep table scraps to a minimum, especially avoiding sweets and other sugary foods.
5. Arthritis and Dysplasia
While this isn’t as common in Beagles as some other breeds, you should make sure your dog has a healthy diet, including the necessary vitamins and minerals to keep his joints healthy. A regular vet check will help point out any issues here.
6. Obesity
Like diabetes, obesity is becoming one of the more common Beagle health problems. Too much food (especially table scraps) and too little exercise is the main cause of canine obesity. If left on its own, it can be deadly by potentially leading to heart failure, cancer, liver disease, joint problems and skin problems. Usually, obesity is easy to treat with proper diet and adequate exercise.
The key to good health for your Beagle is regular exercise, a balanced, nutritious diet and a dog that is kept clean and well-groomed. Your annual vet visit will help to uncover any problems outside of the norm and will aid in the early detection of symptoms.
