State of Pet Health Report

A major study recently released by Banfield Pet Hospital examined disease trends among the 2.1 million dogs and 450,000 cats between 2006 and 2010. The study shows that dental preventable diseases plague our pets most often!

Below is a list of the most common diseases found in the above study.

#1 Dental disease: This is the most common disease among pets, affecting 68 percent of cats and 78 percent of dogs. Periodontal disease has been linked to heart, kidney and liver disease, but it can be prevented by annual teeth cleaning.
#2 Otitis externa (inflammation of the outer ear canal) was the second most-common disease, increasing by 34 percent in cats and by 9 percent in dogs.
#3 Diabetes: The report found the diabetes rate in dogs has gone up by 32 percent in dogs and by 16 percent in cats since 2006. As with humans, the disease is associated with obesity and reduced exercise.

#4 Heartworm disease: This usually fatal disease is 100 percent preventable but still occurs in every season and every state across the country, particularly in the Southern states.
#5 Fleas:  Besides causing uncomfortable itching for your dog or cat, flea infestation can lead to skin infections, allergies and even anemia.

Preventative care is an important step in helping your pet’s avoid these common diseases. Schedule your pet’s wellness exam soon.