Medical conditions in dogs can affect the heart, eyes, digestive system, ears, bladder, nervous system and joints. Some develop gradually, while others cause sudden symptoms that require urgent veterinary attention. Understanding common health problems can help you recognise when something is wrong and seek appropriate care.

This guide covers 11 conditions that dog owners may encounter, including heart murmurs, pancreatitis, epilepsy, arthritis and eye disease. Not every condition is equally common, and some are more likely to affect particular breeds or age groups.

What Are the Warning Signs of Illness in Dogs?

Dogs cannot explain when they feel unwell, so changes in their normal behaviour can provide important clues.

Warning signs include loss of appetite, repeated vomiting, diarrhoea, unusual tiredness, coughing, changes in breathing, limping, excessive scratching, eye discomfort and difficulty urinating.

Some conditions cause obvious pain, while others develop slowly. A dog with early heart disease, for example, may appear completely normal.

Knowing your dog's usual eating habits, activity level and behaviour makes subtle changes easier to recognise.

11 Medical Conditions in Dogs at a Glance

1. What Is a Heart Murmur in Dogs?

A heart murmur is an unusual sound heard when a vet listens to the heart with a stethoscope. It is caused by turbulent blood flow and is a clinical finding rather than a diagnosis of a particular disease.

What Are the Symptoms of a Heart Murmur?

Many dogs with heart murmurs have no obvious symptoms. Others may develop coughing, reduced exercise tolerance or changes in breathing if an underlying heart condition progresses.

Murmurs can have several causes, including congenital abnormalities, leaking heart valves and conditions affecting blood flow. Some murmurs in young puppies are innocent and resolve as they grow.

Your vet may recommend an ultrasound scan of the heart, known as echocardiography, to identify the cause and decide whether monitoring or treatment is needed.

2. What Is Cherry Eye in Dogs?

Cherry eye occurs when the tear-producing gland associated with a dog's third eyelid moves out of its normal position.

It usually appears as a rounded pink or red swelling near the inner corner of the eye. One or both eyes may be affected.

How Is Cherry Eye Treated?

Veterinary treatment commonly involves surgically repositioning the gland. Preserving the gland is important because it contributes to tear production.

Cherry eye is not simply a cosmetic problem. The exposed gland may become inflamed, and untreated problems can affect eye comfort and tear function.

Do not attempt to push the swelling back into place yourself.

3. What Is Pancreatitis in Dogs?

Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas, an organ involved in digestion and blood sugar regulation.

The condition can range from relatively mild illness to severe inflammation with potentially life-threatening complications.

What Are the Signs of Pancreatitis in Dogs?

Common symptoms include vomiting, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, lethargy, dehydration and sometimes diarrhoea.

Some dogs adopt a hunched posture or appear uncomfortable when their abdomen is touched.

Pancreatitis can have several contributing factors, and a clear cause is not always identified. High-fat food may trigger problems in susceptible dogs, but not every case follows a fatty meal.

Diagnosis may involve blood tests, pancreatic-specific testing and abdominal ultrasound. Treatment often includes fluids, pain relief, medication for nausea and nutritional support. Some dogs need hospitalisation.

4. What Is Epilepsy in Dogs?

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterised by recurrent seizures arising from abnormal electrical activity in the brain.

Seizures may involve collapsing, stiffening, paddling movements, loss of awareness or unusual repetitive behaviours. Not every seizure looks the same.

What Should You Do if Your Dog Has a Seizure?

Move nearby objects away to reduce the risk of injury, keep the surroundings quiet and time the seizure. Do not restrain your dog or place anything inside its mouth.

A seizure lasting five minutes or longer, or repeated seizures without full recovery, is an emergency. A first seizure also requires prompt veterinary assessment.

Not every seizure means a dog has epilepsy. Poisoning, metabolic disorders and structural brain disease can also cause seizures.

Vets investigate possible causes before diagnosing epilepsy. Some dogs require long-term anti-seizure medication and regular monitoring.

5. What Is Otitis Externa in Dogs?

Otitis externa is inflammation of the external ear canal. It is commonly associated with ear infections, although inflammation may begin because of allergies, parasites, foreign material or other underlying problems.

How Can You Tell if Your Dog Has an Ear Infection?

Signs include head shaking, scratching, redness, discharge, an unpleasant smell and pain when the ear is touched.

Breeds with hanging ears, including Cocker Spaniels, can experience recurrent ear problems, but any dog may be affected.

Your vet may examine the ear canal and assess a sample of discharge to identify bacteria, yeast or other contributing factors.

Using leftover ear medication without examination can be unsafe, particularly if the eardrum is damaged.

6. What Are Bladder Stones in Dogs?

Bladder stones are solid mineral formations that develop within the urinary bladder.

Different stone types form for different reasons. Struvite and calcium oxalate are two important examples, and their treatment differs.

What Are the Symptoms of Bladder Stones?

Dogs may urinate frequently, strain, pass small amounts of urine, show discomfort or have blood in their urine.

Stones can sometimes obstruct urine flow, particularly if they move into the urethra.

A dog that is repeatedly trying to urinate but cannot pass urine needs emergency veterinary care.

Diagnosis may involve urine testing, X-rays or ultrasound. Some stones can be dissolved using a specific veterinary diet, while others require removal.

Dietary changes should be based on the stone type rather than guesswork.

7. What Is a Corneal Ulcer in Dogs?

A corneal ulcer is damage to the surface of the cornea, the transparent outer layer at the front of the eye.

Ulcers can result from scratches, foreign material, dry eye, eyelid abnormalities or other eye conditions.

How Do You Recognise a Corneal Ulcer?

Common signs include squinting, excessive tearing, redness, rubbing at the eye and a cloudy appearance.

Corneal ulcers are painful and can worsen rapidly. Deep ulcers may threaten eyesight or the integrity of the eye itself.

Veterinary examination, often using a special fluorescein stain, helps identify the damaged area. Treatment depends on severity and may involve eye medication, pain relief or surgery.

A painful, closed or suddenly cloudy eye should be examined urgently, ideally the same day.

8. What Is Gastroenteritis in Dogs?

Gastroenteritis describes inflammation affecting the stomach and intestines. It commonly causes vomiting, diarrhoea or both.

Possible causes include dietary changes, infections, parasites, food intolerance and other underlying illnesses.

When Is Gastroenteritis Serious?

Mild digestive upset may resolve, but repeated vomiting, bloody diarrhoea, abdominal pain, weakness and dehydration require veterinary assessment.

Puppies, older dogs and dogs with existing medical conditions may deteriorate more quickly.

Severe or persistent symptoms may require blood tests, faecal testing, imaging, fluids and medication.

Do not assume that every episode of vomiting and diarrhoea is simple gastroenteritis. Pancreatitis, intestinal obstruction and poisoning can cause similar signs.

9. What Is Arthritis in Dogs?

Arthritis is a broad term for joint inflammation. Osteoarthritis is a particularly important form in dogs and involves progressive changes affecting cartilage, bone and other joint tissues.

It may develop with age, following injury or because of conditions such as hip dysplasia or cruciate ligament disease.

What Are the Early Signs of Arthritis in Dogs?

Signs include stiffness after resting, difficulty getting up, limping, reluctance to jump, reduced enthusiasm for walks and changes in normal behaviour.

Dogs do not always cry or yelp when they have chronic joint pain.

Management usually combines veterinary pain relief where appropriate, weight control, suitable exercise and changes to the home environment.

Our guide to hip issues in dogs

For everyday support, our article on natural joint support for dogs

10. What Is Patellar Luxation in Dogs?

Patellar luxation occurs when the kneecap moves out of its normal position within the groove at the front of the knee.

It is commonly recognised in small breeds, although larger dogs can also be affected.

What Are the Signs of a Dislocated Kneecap?

A dog may suddenly lift a hind leg, skip for a few steps and then walk normally again. More severe cases can cause persistent lameness, discomfort and difficulty moving.

Vets assess patellar luxation using a grading system that reflects how easily the kneecap moves and whether it remains displaced.

Management depends on severity, symptoms and associated joint changes. Some dogs are monitored, while others benefit from surgery.

Read our guide to knee issues in dogs

11. What Is Mitral Valve Disease in Dogs?

Mitral valve disease affects a valve that controls blood flow through the left side of the heart.

In degenerative mitral valve disease, the valve gradually becomes abnormal and may allow blood to leak backwards.

This often produces a heart murmur, but the murmur itself is not the disease.

What Are the Symptoms of Mitral Valve Disease?

Many dogs have no noticeable symptoms during the early stages.

As the condition progresses, some develop reduced exercise tolerance, coughing, changes in breathing or weakness. Advanced disease can lead to congestive heart failure.

Small breeds, including Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, are particularly associated with this condition.

Diagnosis and staging may involve echocardiography, chest imaging and other investigations. Medication is recommended for some stages but not necessarily for every dog with a murmur.

Regular veterinary monitoring is important because treatment decisions depend on the severity of the disease.

When Should You Take Your Dog to the Vet?

Some symptoms require immediate veterinary attention rather than waiting to see whether they improve.

Seek emergency care for:

• Difficulty breathing or collapse.
• A seizure lasting five minutes or longer, or repeated seizures without recovery.
• Repeated attempts to urinate without passing urine.
• Severe abdominal pain or persistent unproductive retching.
• Severe weakness, uncontrolled bleeding or suspected poisoning.

Contact your vet promptly for a painful eye, repeated vomiting, bloody diarrhoea, persistent lameness or a sudden change in behaviour.

How Can You Reduce Your Dog's Risk of Health Problems?

Not every medical condition can be prevented, particularly inherited disorders and age-related diseases. However, consistent preventative care can support long-term wellbeing.

Feed a nutritionally complete diet, maintain a healthy body condition, provide appropriate exercise and attend routine veterinary appointments.

Keep vaccinations and parasite prevention appropriate to your dog's individual circumstances, and monitor changes in appetite, drinking, urination, breathing and movement.

When choosing a puppy, research breed-related health risks and ask breeders about recommended health screening.

Our guide to common health problems in Labrador Retrievers

Frequently Asked Questions About Medical Conditions in Dogs

What Are the Most Common Signs That a Dog Is Unwell?

Common warning signs include changes in appetite, unusual tiredness, vomiting, diarrhoea, coughing, limping, increased thirst and changes in urination. The significance depends on severity, duration and accompanying symptoms.

Can a Dog Have a Serious Illness Without Showing Symptoms?

Yes. Some conditions, including early heart disease and certain inherited disorders, may cause few obvious signs initially. Routine veterinary examinations can help identify problems before symptoms become noticeable.

Are Certain Dog Breeds More Prone to Medical Conditions?

Yes. Some inherited and structural conditions occur more frequently in particular breeds. However, breed predisposition does not mean every dog will develop the condition.

Can Diet Help Prevent Health Problems in Dogs?

A balanced diet and healthy body weight support general health and can reduce some avoidable risks. However, diet cannot prevent every inherited condition, infection or illness, and specific medical diets should be recommended according to the diagnosis.

When Is Vomiting or Diarrhoea an Emergency?

Repeated vomiting, severe or bloody diarrhoea, marked weakness, abdominal pain or an inability to keep water down can indicate serious illness. Seek urgent veterinary advice, particularly for puppies, elderly dogs or those with existing health problems.

Final Thoughts

Recognising changes in your dog's behaviour, appetite, breathing, eyes, digestion and movement can help you respond quickly when something is wrong.

These 11 conditions have different causes and treatments, so accurate veterinary diagnosis matters. If symptoms are persistent, painful, worsening or sudden, contact your veterinary practice rather than attempting to diagnose the problem at home.

This article provides general educational information and does not replace veterinary diagnosis, treatment or emergency care.