What illness would make a dog aggressive?

When a dog that has always been gentle and cute suddenly changes its appearance and becomes irritable, grumpy, or even aggressive, it will undoubtedly shock and worry every owner. Dogs have always been our loyal companions, giving us endless love and companionship, but the current changes make us feel unfamiliar and more concerned about their health. When a dog's behavior changes so dramatically, there may be some disease factors behind it, and understanding these diseases is crucial to help the dog regain its former gentleness and maintain a harmonious relationship between people and pets. ​

Pain is a common and key factor that leads to increased aggression in dogs. Dogs, like humans, become irritable and restless when they suffer from pain. Arthritis is more common in older dogs, and inflammation in the joints will cause pain every time the dog moves. Imagine a dog that used to be lively and energetic, but now it grimaces in pain because of arthritis when it moves a little. When the owner tries to touch it or accidentally touches its painful joints, the dog may suddenly attack out of self-protection instinct. For example, if the dog is accidentally injured and the wound is not treated in time, the pain will become more severe as the infection occurs. At this time, the dog becomes sensitive to everything around it, and the slightest disturbance may trigger its aggressive behavior.

Neurological diseases may also cause significant changes in the dog's behavior, leading to increased aggression. Epilepsy is a common neurological disease, and sick dogs may show abnormal behavior before and after epileptic seizures. Before the attack, the dog may show anxiety and restlessness, and be overly alert to the surrounding environment. In this state, it is easy to attack people or other animals close to it. After the attack, the dog may be in a confused and confused state. It cannot correctly perceive the surrounding situation and becomes aggressive in order to protect itself. In addition, neurological lesions such as brain tumors may compress the dog's nerve tissue, affect its behavior and emotional control ability, and make the dog irritable and aggressive.

Endocrine disorders can also affect the dog's emotions and behavior. Hypothyroidism is one of the common endocrine diseases in dogs. Insufficient secretion of thyroid hormones will affect the metabolism of the dog's body, which in turn affects its mental state. Sick dogs may become lethargic and depressed, but in some cases, they may suddenly become irritable and aggressive. There is also diabetes. When a dog's blood sugar is not well controlled, the body will show a series of discomfort symptoms, such as thirst, polyuria, weakness, etc. These discomforts will make the dog irritable, and the originally docile character may change, and aggressive behavior will occur.

Ear and eye diseases should not be ignored. The ears and eyes of dogs are very sensitive. Once problems occur, they will cause them great pain and discomfort. Ear infection is a common disease in dogs. Inflammation can cause ear pain and itching, and dogs will frequently shake their heads and scratch their ears. In this uncomfortable state, when the owner tries to check or touch its ears, the dog may attack the owner because of pain and irritability. Similarly, eye diseases, such as glaucoma and cataracts, can affect the dog's vision and make it unable to see the surrounding environment clearly. When a dog cannot see clearly, it will feel uneasy and fearful, and this emotion may turn into aggression, trying to drive away things it thinks are threatening to itself.

When you find that the dog suddenly becomes aggressive, as an owner, don't lose your temper or punish the dog easily. Because this is likely to be a signal that the dog is unwell to us, and it does not intend to hurt us. We should remain calm and carefully observe the dog's behavior to see if there are other abnormal symptoms, such as loss of appetite, mental depression, fever, etc. At the same time, take the dog to the veterinarian as soon as possible for a comprehensive physical examination. The veterinarian will use professional diagnostic methods to determine the cause of the dog's increased aggression and formulate a corresponding treatment plan. ​

During the treatment process, we should give the dog more care and patience. Accompany it, take care of it, and let it feel our support and care. Every interaction with the dog must be cautious to avoid irritating it. Dogs give us unconditional loyalty and love, and we should also give them the most caring care when they are sick, help them overcome the disease, and return to a happy life.