Dogs are human’s best friends during many stages of life and it is our job to keep them healthy for as many years as possible. Big or small, there are some common ailments that all dogs can suffer from and it is helpful to know some of the signs and symptoms. Knowing when to take your dog to the vet and when you can treat or prevent illness from home is beneficial to any pet owner.
Parvovirus
One of the most deadly common illnesses among canines is the parvovirus. This disease is fast moving and many times fatal if not treated aggressively and quickly. Even then, the death rate for parvo among young puppies is still 80%. This virus is spread from one dog to another via feces and can stay active in your home and yard for months or even years. Most of the time the infectious nature of the disease will only be present in your home for about 30 days, especially if you are diligently cleaning carpets, floors and other things your dog has come in contact with. Outside in your yard the disease can live and infect future puppies for many years. Veterinarians consider parvovirus ubiquitous, which means you should consider any outdoor area infected. Never bring a new puppy home without first ensuring all vaccinations are up to date, this includes the canine parvovirus shot. Symptoms include:
- Vomiting
- Listlessness
- Diarrhea
- Lack of appetite
- Drooling
Rabies
This is probably the most dangerous of all canine diseases because it is one of the few that can be passed to humans and left untreated is 100% fatal. Survival rate of humans has improved over the last 50 years; however, the animal will not survive the disease. This is why nearly every state and principality in the Nation has rabies vaccination laws. This is the one vaccination you do not want to skip if you want to protect your pet and your family. Symptoms include:
- Fever
- Nausea- vomiting
- Eye discharge
- Seizures, aggression and erratic behavior
- Paralyses and death
Canine distemper is another of the highly contagious, fatal and incurable dog diseases. Marked by respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms puppies are particularly prone to this disease. As with all the diseases, prevention is the best and in this case the only “cure.” Young puppies between 3-6 months of age who have not been vaccinated are most susceptible. It is a viral disease that affects multiple systems of the body. Symptoms include:
- Discharge from eyes and nose
- Vomiting
- Coughing
- Roughened pads
- Poor appetite
- Intermittent fever
- Convulsions- Death
There are several common dog diseases you should be aware of, the above examples are the most severe and nearly always result in death. The only true way to keep your pet safe is by keeping their vaccinations up to date; because once they are infected; your options are few if any at all. Dogs, depending on their breed can live anywhere from 6-11 years and in some cases even longer. Proper diet, exercise and veterinarian care is the key to a long life.
About the Author:
Ricky Chea is a dog lover who has lived with over 20 dogs. To know more about common dog health problems, please visit: Common Dog Health Problems and Dog Skin Problems.
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