Awareness About Dog Diseases And Health Problems

Common Dog Diseases and Health Problems

Whether your dog is a working companion, champion show animal, hunting partner, or just a best friend, the kindest and most responsible thing you can do for him is to provide proper health care. Knowing about common dog diseases and being aware of appropriate prevention and treatment  can better help you provide that care.

Many Diseases Can Be Prevented

Some of the most common and serious dog diseases have been made less common through vaccines: however, these diseases continue to threaten a dog that lacks proper immunization. Puppies many  be vaccinated as early as 4-6 weeks depending on each situation and the veterinarian’s advice.  Through mother’s milk, puppies receive disease fighting antibodies, which last 6-16 weeks. Vaccinations then take over. Yearly boosters should be given throughout your dog’s life,  including old age when your dog may become more susceptible to some diseases. The following  diseases can be prevented through vaccinations.

DISTEMPER: Canine distemper is caused by a highly contagious, airborne virus. It affects the  dog’s respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems. Early symptoms are those of a “cold”  – runny eyes and nose, fever, cough, and often diarrhea. Later in the course of disease there  may be nervous twitching, paralysis, and seizures (convulsions). There is no successful  treatment.

HEPATITIS (Adenovirus): Canine infectious hepatitis is a viral disease transmitted by urine,  faces, or saliva of infected animals. The signs are fever, tissue swelling and hemorrhage.  Treatment may require blood transfusions and intensive care; often it is not successful.

LEPTOSPIROSIS: Canine leptospirosis is caused by bacteria spread though contact with nasal secretions, urine, or saliva of infected animals. The disease also can infect humans. Leptospira infects the kidneys and causes fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and jaundice. Treatment requires antibiotics, intensive care, and intravenous (IV) fluid therapy. Dogs that recover may be left with permanent kidney damage.

KENNEL COUGH: Canine infectious tracheobronchitis caused by several viruses (including parainfluenza) and bacteria (including Bordetella). This highly contagious disease attacks the respiratory system, causing a chronic, dry, hacking cough. It is generally a mild infection,  but it may progress to severe pneumonia in young pups or old dogs. Treatment can be helpful.

PARVO: Canine parvovirus is a deadly contagious viral disease that is spread by contact with infected feacal material. The virus is difficult to kill and is easily spread. It attacks the gastrointestinal system, causing fever, lethargy, vomiting, bloody diarrhea, and rapid  dehydration. Treatment requires intensive IV fluid and supportive therapy and has a variable  rate of success.

CORONA: Canine corona virus is a highly contagious viral infection attacking the  gastrointestinal tract. Signs are similar to parvovirus infection, except it is generally  milder and more effectively treated.

RABIES: Rabies is a viral infection of all mammals, including man. It is transmitted by the bit  of an infected animal. The virus infects the central nervous system, causing a brain infection (encephalitis), which is always fatal. There is no treatment for dog or man after symptoms  appear. However, a vaccine is effective in preventing the disease in people if it is administered soon after their possible exposure. Because of the serious public health threat, Indian law requires a rabies vaccination for all dogs.