Dog Diseases Like all pets, dogs are also susceptible to diseases. It is important to exercise good pet care by having a sound knowledge of various diseases that dogs suffer from, its symptoms, familiarity of breed along with routine check-ups, proper immunizations and vaccinations and regular visits to the vet .

1. Dog Diseases Like all pets, dogs are also susceptible to diseases. It is important to exercise good pet care by having a sound knowledge of various diseases that dogs suffer from, its symptoms, familiarity of breed along with routine check-ups, proper immunizations and vaccinations and regular visits to the vet .

2. Common diseases in dogs Although there are several diseases, listed below are some of the common diseases that strike dogs. Canine Distemper: Worst dog disease that has no cure. Highly contagious viral disease that affects the nervous, gastrointestinal tracts, respiratory tracts and every tissue in the body. Contracted through contaminated faces of infected dogs. Symptoms include conjunctivitis, loss of appetite, congestion in the chest, diarrhea, depression and low energy levels. Causes 50% deaths in all affected dogs and those who recover, suffer from permanent neurological disorders, seizures, paralysis, convulsions and spasms. Canine Parvovirus (CPV): Contagious viral disease that is transmitted from the fecal matter of infected canines. Symptoms include bloody diarrhea, dehydration, vomiting, depression, decreased appetite and fever. This virus attacks heart muscle, white blood cells and the intestinal tract. Death usually occurs within 48-72 hours, if an infected dog, is not treated on time. Rabies: Viral disease that spreads via saliva, transmitted by the bite of an infected animal. Severe and a fatal disease that affects the dog’s central nervous system and the brain. There are two stages of rabies – furious and paralytic. A dog in furious stage lasts from one to seven days and exhibits range of behaviors like vicious, aggressive behavior, loss of appetite, spasms and seizures, wild uncontrolled behavior, sensitive to light and touch, foaming at the mouth etc. In paralytic stage, a rabid dog has trouble walking, moving, keeps stumbling and is finally struck by paralysis, resulting in death. Rabid dogs are euthanized to prevent the spread of the disease.

3. Common diseases in dogs Bordetella or kennel cough: Highly contagious bacterial respiratory disease. Dogs that are in close contact with infected dogs from veterinary hospitals, stray dogs, boarding houses, pet stores or kennels are at a higher risk of contracting this disease. The trachea, larynx and the bronchi gets inflamed; an infected dog develops symptoms like harsh and dry cough, nasal discharge, lethargy and anorexia. Lyme disease: Bacterial infection that spreads through tick bites. Causes damage to joints, soreness, fever, lethargy, paralysis and cardiac, kidney and neurological damage, depression, increased thirst and urination. Leptospirosis: Caused by a bacterial disease - spirochaete. Transmitted by contact with urine of an infected dog. Symptoms include abdominal pain, clotting of blood, conjunctivitis, weakness, vomiting, fever, kidney and liver failure. In more chronic conditions, it can produce pneumonia, jaundice and intestinal inflammation. This disease can be transmitted to humans from infected dogs. Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever: Bacterial disease caused by rickettsia, spread by contact with ticks. An infected dog will have severe and painful joints, rash, stomach pain, decreased appetite, fever and weight loss.

4. Common diseases in dogs Ringworm Most common fungal skin disease leading to loss of hair and scaling. Intestinal Parasites - common ones are:- Hookworms - causes iron deficiency anemia, weight loss, diarrhea, vomiting and abdominal pain in infected dogs. Hookworms reside in the intestinal tracts but can affect other parts of the body. Tapeworms - spread by ingesting infected flies, lice, rabbits or rodents. Roundworms- causes diarrhea, weight loss, pot bellied appearance and vomiting. Heartworm- spread by mosquitoes, Heartworms damages an infected dog’s pulmonary arteries, veins, muscle and tissue of the heart leading to congestive heart failure and death.

6. Hookworms– Smaller than roundworms. They are bloodsuckers, have teeth on one end, by which, they hook onto the intestinal walls and feed on the blood. Contamination is through the placenta from an infected mother or from the feces of another infected dog. Hookworms reside in the intestinal tracts but can affect other parts of the body.

8. Rabies in Dogs Rabies is a severe, fatal, viral disease that affects a dog’s central nervous system and brain. Rabies in dogs is often a result of a dog being bitten by an infected carrier or wild animals such as foxes, raccoons, skunks, and bats. It is zoonotic, can be transmitted to humans and can cause serious health implications. Symptoms of rabies in dogs :- There are three stages of rabies in dogs – prodromal, furious and paralytic. Prodromal stage lasts from one to three days. Visible symptoms of rabies in dogs include fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, changes in behavior, tone of bark change. Furious rabies or excitative stage lasts from three to four days and is characterized by behavioral changes like wild and uncontrolled behavior, aggressiveness, loss of appetite, spasms and seizures, sensitive to light and touch, foaming at the mouth etc. Paralytic rabies or dumb rabies stage lasts for two to four days in which a rabid dog has trouble walking, moving, experiences loss of co-ordination, difficulty in swallowing, excessive salivation, dropped jaw, choking, weakness and is finally struck by paralysis, resulting in death. For any queries, issues or advice on rabies in Dogs, treatment or on preventing rabies, talk to our dog vets right away for immediate answers.

9. Stroke in Dogs A stroke in dogs is just as serious as in humans because it is difficult to spot one, and unless you know the symptoms and signs of stroke in dogs , you will never be able to guess that your dog could be having a stroke. That’s why it is very important to detect the symptoms at the earliest and provide medical care, attention and help for your dog to recover within a short period of time. Dogs with thick coats and flat faces like Bulldogs and Pugs are more prone to stokes because of their narrow and limited respiratory pathways. Older canines and some breeds are susceptible to strokes more often than others. Types of Canine Stroke :- There are two types of canine strokes. Ischemic Occurs when a blocked artery stops blood flow to the brain. Main causes of ischemic stroke in dogs are hypo or hyperthyroidism; parasites; tumors; hypertension; spinal cartilage and kidney, liver, heart or cushing’s disease. Hemorrhagic Occurs when blood vessels burst in the brain which leads to bleeding causing permanent or temporary brain damage. Main causes of hemorrhagic stroke are accidental consumption of rat poison; abnormal blood vessel development in brain; brain or head tumor and diseases that leads to high blood pressure. Both the conditions are equally serious; it affects your pet’s behavior and requires medical attention at the earliest.

11. Hemolysis – immune-mediated hemolytic anemia; congenital hemolytic anemia; infectious disease such as canine babesiosis and leptospirosis; chemicals or toxins such as acetaminophen and poisonous snake bites; cancer

13. Persistent scratching and itching to provide relief and sometimes causes bleeding

14. Intense irritation

15. Characteristic shaking of the head

16. Severe pain in the ears, become sensitive to touch

17. Foul odor from ears

18. Increase in ear wax production

19. Restless behavior

20. Excessive shaking causes damage to small blood vessels, sometimes causing hematomas.

21. If left untreated, causes damage to the ear canals and ear drums, deformity of ears, possible deafness and bacterial infections.Consult our vets online for more information, symptoms, and treatment for ear mites in dogs, various other issues and much more.

22. Dog Urination Problems Urinary infection in dogs are common. Urinary problems may be the result of stones or tumors in the bladder causing abnormal urination habits, blood in the urine and infections. Some urinary problems are the result of other diseases, such as kidney failure or diabetes with increased urination as the most common first sign. Symptoms of urinary problems: Frequent urination. Dogs with urinary tract infections have the urge to urinate even when the bladder is almost empty. You know there is a problem when your dog used to hold it all day, but now can hardly wait to get outside. No sooner than he comes back inside does he want to go back out again. Straining to urinate. They'll take longer than usual and will strain to make things happen, often without results. Painful urination. An infection can make the urethra raw and irritated. Dogs will experience a stinging sensation while urinating. Notice if your dog licks his genitals. This is often done to soothe the pain. Dark or bloody urine. Dogs with urinary tract infections often have blood in urine. The urine often has a usually foul or strong odor.

23. Ask A Vet Online Our pet vets are available all around the clock so all you have to do is type your question and get answers instantly. We can also help you find a vet, in your area, in case of emergencies get one-on-one expert advice from our dog vets. As our dog vets are available 24*7, you don’t have to worry about after hour’s emergencies or availing vet services on holidays. We are right here, for you and your dog, anytime, should you require our assistance.

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