When it comes to the health of our furry companions, understanding the common medical issues they face is crucial. A recent study has highlighted the top 20 most common medical reasons for canine patients visiting primary-care veterinary clinics, categorized by age groups. This information not only helps pet owners be more vigilant but also aids veterinarians in preparing better treatment and preventive care plans.

Key Findings from the Data

<1-Year-Old Dogs

  • Preventive Medicine: 39% (95% CI [31.1–47.3])
  • Diarrhea: 11.8% (95% CI [7.3–18.2])
  • Vomiting: 5.1% (95% CI [2.2–10.7])
  • Infectious Diseases: Endoparasites 2.9% (95% CI [0.9–7.8]), Canine Parvovirus 1.5% (95% CI [0.2–5.7]), Coronavirus 1.5% (95% CI [0.2–5.7])

1-to-3-Year-Old Dogs

  • Preventive Medicine: 16.7% (95% CI [15.9–17.5])
  • Neutering Surgery: 6.6% (95% CI [6.0–7.1])
  • Diarrhea: 6.3% (95% CI [5.7–6.8])
  • Vomiting: 5.9% (95% CI [5.3–6.4])

4-to-6-Year-Old Dogs

  • Otitis Externa: 8.8% (95% CI [7.8–10.0])
  • Dermatitis or Eczema: 8.5% (95% CI [7.5–9.6])
  • Preventive Medicine: 7.7% (95% CI [6.7–8.8])
  • Diarrhea: 4.6% (95% CI [3.8–5.4])

7-to-9-Year-Old Dogs

  • Dermatitis or Eczema: 9.2% (95% CI [7.9–10.7])
  • Otitis Externa: 8.2% (95% CI [6.9–9.6])
  • Lameness: 4.5% (95% CI [3.6–5.6])
  • Diarrhea: 4.5% (95% CI [3.5–5.6])

10-to-12-Year-Old Dogs

  • Dermatitis or Eczema: 7.4% (95% CI [5.9–8.9])
  • Otitis Externa: 5.6% (95% CI [4.3–7.0])
  • Lameness: 4.5% (95% CI [3.4–5.8])
  • Vomiting: 3.9% (95% CI [2.9–5.1])

13-to-15-Year-Old Dogs

  • Dermatitis or Eczema: 6.2% (95% CI [4.8–7.8])
  • Otitis Externa: 5.3% (95% CI [4.0–6.8])
  • Heart Disease: 5.3% (95% CI [4.0–6.8])
  • Lameness: 3.5% (95% CI [2.5–4.7])

>16-Year-Old Dogs

  • Dermatitis or Eczema: 5.6% (95% CI [3.5–8.7])
  • Otitis Externa: 3.8% (95% CI [2.1–6.6])
  • Vomiting: 3.8% (95% CI [2.1–6.6])
  • Upper Respiratory Tract Disease (URTD): 3.8% (95% CI [2.1–6.6])

Drawing Conclusions

  • Preventive Medicine Dominates in Younger Dogs: For dogs under one year old, preventive medicine is the leading reason for veterinary visits, comprising 39% of the cases. This significantly drops to 16.7% for dogs aged 1-3 years and further reduces as the dogs age. This trend highlights the importance of early-life preventive care in maintaining long-term health.
  • Common Issues in Middle-Aged Dogs: For dogs aged 4-6 years, Otitis Externa (ear infections) and Dermatitis or Eczema are the most prevalent issues. This age group also shows a notable percentage of preventive medicine cases, indicating ongoing health maintenance.
  • Increasing Age, Increasing Complexity: As dogs age, they tend to develop more complex and chronic health issues. For example, Dermatitis or Eczema and Otitis Externa remain common, but conditions like Lameness, Heart Disease, and Kidney Failure become more prevalent, especially in dogs older than 10 years.
  • Veterinary Care Must Adapt to Age-Related Changes: The data suggests that veterinary care needs to adapt to the changing health profile of dogs as they age. Younger dogs benefit from preventive measures, while older dogs require more focused care on chronic conditions and degenerative diseases.
  • Importance of Monitoring and Regular Check-Ups: The high prevalence of issues like Dermatitis or Eczema and Otitis Externa across all age groups underscores the need for regular check-ups. Early detection and treatment can prevent these conditions from worsening and improve the quality of life for the dogs.

Final Thoughts

Understanding the common medical reasons for veterinary visits can help pet owners and veterinarians work together to ensure dogs lead healthier, happier lives. By focusing on preventive care in the early years and managing chronic conditions as dogs age, we can provide comprehensive healthcare that adapts to the needs of our canine companions at every stage of their lives.

This data is based on a one year study of 44,782 medical records of canine patients. You can find the study here