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What You Need to Know About Polyps and Your Dog
When you make the decision to welcome a dog into your home, that choice comes with responsibilities beyond simply feeding and walking your new pet. Dogs have health needs just the same as you do, but they cannot communicate with words when they are not feeling well. This means that you have the responsibility to watch out for their health and be aware of warning signs that your pet is not in good shape.
One of the most important things you can do as an owner is make physical contact with your pet each day. Petting your dog, playing with it, and taking a few minutes to run your hands along its body will help you watch for warning signs of possible disease. Maintaining a physical connection to your dog can, for example, help you detect lumps (polyps) when they are newly formed.
What are polyps?
The term "polyps" is a generic word used to describe lumps that appear on your dog's body. These lumps are often benign and harmless and are caused by a number of factors. It is important to make note of them because polyps can be a sign of a more serious condition. Polyps most frequently appear on a dog's ear, though it is not uncommon for dogs to develop polyps in their bladder, colon, and rectal area as well.
Given the areas of the body that can be affected by polyps, not all of these lumps will be noticeable without a visit to the veterinarian.
Signs to look out for
Polyps in your dog's ears are the easiest to spot because they are visible, as opposed to bladder and colon polyps. In the case of ear polyps, the lump itself is not harmful to your dog's health. However, if the polyp does affect the normal function of your dog's ear it can lead to other problems such as discomfort and/or infection.
In the case of vestibular polyps, which affect the ear, nose, and throat region, you may not notice the lump itself. However, you can identify the problem through other symptoms. Excessive drooling, rolling around, tilting of the head, and even falling down are all signs of distress in your dog. Vestibular polyps are most common among young puppies and older dogs.
Reacting to polyps
When you notice a polyp on your dog, the best thing you can do is make note of its current size, shape, and color. If you notice a change in any of these factors, you should take your dog to the veterinarian's office for a thorough exam. Polyps that do not change size or color, but instead persist for long periods of time, may also warrant a visit to the vet. If nothing else, a visit will give you peace of mind and ensure that your dog is in fact healthy.
Preventing serious conditions from developing in your dog can best be achieved through routine veterinary visits. There is no way for owners to detect the existence of bladder, colon, and rectal polyps, which means your dog could be suffering from a serious condition for months before you notice. Remember, when you do encounter polyps on your dog many of them are benign. The best course of action is vigilance. Track the polyps as suggested above and consult your vet if you notice changes.
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One of the most important things you can do as an owner is make physical contact with your pet each day. Petting your dog, playing with it, and taking a few minutes to run your hands along its body will help you watch for warning signs of possible disease. Maintaining a physical connection to your dog can, for example, help you detect lumps (polyps) when they are newly formed.
What are polyps?
The term "polyps" is a generic word used to describe lumps that appear on your dog's body. These lumps are often benign and harmless and are caused by a number of factors. It is important to make note of them because polyps can be a sign of a more serious condition. Polyps most frequently appear on a dog's ear, though it is not uncommon for dogs to develop polyps in their bladder, colon, and rectal area as well.
Given the areas of the body that can be affected by polyps, not all of these lumps will be noticeable without a visit to the veterinarian.
Polyps in your dog's ears are the easiest to spot because they are visible, as opposed to bladder and colon polyps. In the case of ear polyps, the lump itself is not harmful to your dog's health. However, if the polyp does affect the normal function of your dog's ear it can lead to other problems such as discomfort and/or infection.
In the case of vestibular polyps, which affect the ear, nose, and throat region, you may not notice the lump itself. However, you can identify the problem through other symptoms. Excessive drooling, rolling around, tilting of the head, and even falling down are all signs of distress in your dog. Vestibular polyps are most common among young puppies and older dogs.
Reacting to polyps
When you notice a polyp on your dog, the best thing you can do is make note of its current size, shape, and color. If you notice a change in any of these factors, you should take your dog to the veterinarian's office for a thorough exam. Polyps that do not change size or color, but instead persist for long periods of time, may also warrant a visit to the vet. If nothing else, a visit will give you peace of mind and ensure that your dog is in fact healthy.
Preventing serious conditions from developing in your dog can best be achieved through routine veterinary visits. There is no way for owners to detect the existence of bladder, colon, and rectal polyps, which means your dog could be suffering from a serious condition for months before you notice. Remember, when you do encounter polyps on your dog many of them are benign. The best course of action is vigilance. Track the polyps as suggested above and consult your vet if you notice changes.
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