Dog Diseases:
If you’re dog may not be his usual self, he may be ridden with an illness. Whether or not the disease manifests itself in outward symptoms or dormant symptoms, such as joint pain and lethargy indicative of lyme disease, there are a variety of diseases your dog may be susceptible to.
- Rabies – this viral dog disease, caused by the bite of an infected animal, attacks the central nervous system. The virus fundamentally ends up attacking the brain.
- Distemper – this is the biggest threat to dogs; one of the biggest dog diseases affecting dogs today. Younger dogs and puppies are the most susceptible to infection. Canine distemper can leave a dog’s nervous system damaged, with its sense of smell, hearing, and/or sight.
- Hepatitis – another infectious viral dog disease, this one is characterized by loss of appetite, a catarrhal discharge from the eyes and nose, vomiting, fever, lethargy, partial paralysis caused by destruction of nerve tissue, and sometimes death.
- Kennel Cough or Bordetella – prevalent in kennels and shelters, this dog disease is a respiratory disease and it has several strains. Symptoms can include a dry hacking cough with inflammation of the larynx, bronchial tubes, and trachea. Vaccination every six months is recommended.
- Parainfluenza - caused by a virus which produces a mild respiratory tract infection, this disease is associated with other respiratory tract viruses. In combination these viruses are usually transmitted by contact with the nasal secretions of infected dogs. The vaccine to protect against this dog disease may be combined with other vaccines.
- Parvo virus – a vaccination is definitely recommended since puppies in particular are susceptible to this virus. The virus is the dog disease which attacks dividing cells, particularly in the intestinal lining.
- Leptospirosis - spread through the urine of an infected animal or human, this bacterial dog disease includes symptoms of weakness, fever, kidney inflammation, and vomiting.
- Lyme disease – caused by the bite of a tick, symptoms of lyme disease in dogs include lethargy, joint pain, lack of appetite, and fever. The treatment is an antibiotic.
- Corona virus – although some of these dog diseases may seem to have similar symptoms, for instance, vomiting is symptom of this dog disease so it’s often confused with the parvovirus. Additional symptoms include loss of appetite, lethargy, and dehydration.
- Giardisis – this intestinal infection may result in abdominal cramps and nausea.
Overall, your dog may be susceptible to diseases, therefore the emphasis is on watching your dog closely for any outward symptoms and making regular visits to the veterinarian. If your dog exhibits symptoms, contact your vet immediately.
At The Dog Bowl, nothing is more important than your pets’ health and well being. For more information about diseases in dogs and to see questions to ask the vet click here.
