Common Dog Disease Basics
Top Canine Ailments - Symptoms, Stages, Outlook
Dogs can suffer from many diseases. Rabies, Distemper, Heartworm, Bloat and Parvovirus are extremely dangerous to their health.
Dogs are subject to contracting many serious diseases. Rabies, Distemper, Heartworm, Bloat and Parvovirus are among the more serious dog ailments. Proper vaccinations, regular veterinary visits and a knowledge and familiarity of one's dog breed are among the essential keys to maintaining your pet's health.
Rabies
Rabies is a viral disease contracted from other rabid animals. This virus attacks the dog’s central nervous system and is spread via the saliva. As the disease progresses, various symptoms start to appear. At first, the dog will display minor behavior changes, fever and slow eye reflexes. The next stage usually will show more aggressive and violent behavior, excessive barking, irritability, and restlessness. The last or advanced stage will show a breakdown in the coordination of motor movements. No cure is currently available, although a vaccine for both humans and canines does exist. Dogs with this disease need to be euthanized.
Distemper
Distemper is another canine affliction with no cure. Considered to be one of the most serious conditions that dogs encounter, it is contracted through the contaminated feces of other infected dogs. Adult dogs that contract this disease have a fifty percent chance of survival, while puppies have close to a seventy-five to eighty percent fatality rate. Symptoms include diarrhea, chest congestion, eye and nose discharges and coughing. As the disease progresses it attacks the dog’s central nervous system, leading to paralysis and possible death.
Heartworm
Heartworm is a parasitic disease that is contracted through sniffing the feces of infected dogs. It is a parasite that multiplies and grows in rapidly dividing cells. For this reason it tends to affect puppies, more than adult dogs. It ultimately will cause infections in the dogs’ heart chambers and arteries in their lungs. Symptoms start as a mild cough with fatigue, and if untreated, could worsen to congestive heart failure. All puppies should be vaccinated against this parasite to prevent infection.
Bloat
Bloat is a serious canine condition that involves the twisting of a dog’s stomach from overeating. This serious condition is a common cause for dog death. The twisted stomach not only cuts off its own blood supply causing quick tissue necrosis, but also traps gas causing tremendous pain, with a relatively quick death. As a result, this condition needs to be treated quickly. Symptoms include restlessness, depression and dry heaves. The canines that have the greatest risk of bloat are older dogs, thin or underweight dogs, and dogs with an aggressive or anxious temperament. Also dogs that eat rapidly or have only one meal a day are susceptible to developing bloat.
Parvovirus
Considered a deadly disease, parvovirus attacks a dog’s intestines. Symptoms include decreased appetite, severe bloody diarrhea, vomiting and depression. The symptoms can appear rapidly within a few hours of infestation. Death could occur within a few days.Parvovirus is contracted through contaminated fecal matter that is on the ground. The virus can live in this state up to several months under favorable conditions. Parvovirus can be prevented if dogs are vaccinated prior to infection. If contracted, most dogs need to be aggressively treated with IV antibiotics and subcutaneous fluids; otherwise they will die from dehydration.
Although other diseases and conditions exist, these tend to be the most serious and common ones. The key to canine health is to get the proper vaccinations prior to infection, get a thorough understanding of the health ailments and behavior traits of your dog breed and to have your pet regularly checked by a veterinarian. These few steps will help ensure the prevention of most dog ailments for the rest of their lives.
