THE MOST COMMON DOG DISEASES






As a dog owner you need to know the diseases your puppy or dog can get. Ask your veterinarian what vaccinations your dog needs and please get them.

Here is a list of the most common life threatening dog diseases that can attack your dog.

CANINE DISTEMPER

This is life threatening to dogs that haven't been vaccinated. It is highly contagious and it is also difficult to diagnose.

The symptoms appear like a upper-respiratory ailment. The virus trails through the air, by feces contact or secretion from an infected dog. The symptoms are:

  • Difficulty breathing

  • Runny nose

  • Watery eyes

  • Coughs

  • Fever

More advance signs are:

  • Diarrhea

  • Vomiting

  • Dehydration

  • Trembling

  • Sensitive to light

You need to take him to a veterinarian immediately. There is no treatment just supportive therapy. The best prevention is immunization early in your puppies life plus an annual booster shot.

INFECTIOUS CANINE HEPATITIS (ICH)

This is also highly contagious and is transmitted from body excretions and urine. The virus enters the dogs body thru inhaling or ingestion. The incubation period is 5-9 days with the following symptoms:

  • Temperature

  • Depression
  • Abnormal thirst

  • No appetite

  • Excess watering of eyes and nose

  • Diarrhea

  • Vomiting

He may have inflammation of his liver so my rub his stomach or arch his back. You should take him immediately to the vet.

RABIES

Rabies are highly contagious and a fatal disease. This viral disease is transmitted through a bite from a rabid animal. The first signs last 1-7 days and they are:

Restlessness and change in behavior like biting and they snap and nip involuntarily. If they do bite anyone they will infect that person.

As the disease get worse the dog will turn on the family because he will become sensitive touch and light. He also may drool, howl and cry. He now needs to be dealt with by a professional since you could become infected easily by touching him. He will be then destroyed as their is no cure.

CANINE PAVOVIRUS ENTERITIS

This is highly contagious especially among puppies. It attacks the intestinal tract and white blood cells. It is transmitted through infected dogs or feces of infected dogs. The symptoms are:

  • Diarrhea

  • Vomiting

  • Fever

  • Dehydration

The dog needs medical attention immediately for a chance of survival.

LYME DISEASE

In most areas of the United States your dog is at risk for lyme disease. It is spread by the bite of an infected tick that feeds on deer and small rodents. It is hard to diagnose this disease, however. Some signs may be:

  • Fever

  • Poor appetite

  • Lameness

  • Lethargy

It can cause heart and kidney disease. Blood tests are given and the dog will be given antibiotics for 28 days if the test comes out positive. This disease isn't completely eliminated but your dog will get better.

CORONAVIRUS

This disease is spread with direct contact with an infected animal or it's feces. Vomiting, diarrhea. no appetite are symptoms plus they can be lethargic and dehydrated. Supportive therapy is required which involves replacing lost fluids and controlling vomiting and diarrhea.










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