Most Common Diseases in Dogs

Kennel cough

It is a feverish disease also known as canine infectious respiratory disease. It is caused by a number of bacteria and viruses.

Symptoms

There shouldn’t be any change in your pet’s behaviour or decrease in their appetite.

·         The most obvious symptom of kennel cough is “dry” cough

·         Gagging, gag reflex

·         Enlarged tonsils

·         Fever

Some dogs may show other symptoms of illness, including

·         Sneezing

·         Runny nose

·         Eye discharge

How do dogs catch kennel cough

Kennel caught spreads through airborne droplets produced by sneezing and coughing.

Many dogs get it from being in dog kennels and shelters, which is where the illness gets its name. They become infected by being around other dogs that have the cough.

Treatments and Prevention

The disease lasts 7-14 days but can take up to six weeks in older dogs or those with other medical conditions.

It tends to subside on its own but medications may speed recovery or minimize symptoms of infection.

Vaccination can begin as young as 8 weeks and works to protect the dog against the Bordetella Bronchiseptica bacteria. Vaccination can be given once a year. It wont treat active infection .

Canine Distemper

It is highly contagious viral disease (often fatal) caused by paramyxovirus. Most commonly affecting puppies aged 3-6 months, however, it can affect pets at any age, regardless of race or sex.

Treatment is difficult and not always successful, which is why prevention plays a key role in the fight against the disease.

People are resistant to the virus and cannot get infected.

Symptoms

After a few days of contact with an infected dog, the puppy begins to show symptoms of the infection:

·         High temperature

·         Coughing

·         Lethargy

·         Loss of appetite

·         Heavy breathing

·         Red eyes  and runny nose

·         Sometimes also diarrhoea and vomiting.

Advanced stages of infection affecting the central nervous system.

How is Canine Distemper Spread?

Dogs can get canine distemper through direct contact with an infected animal or object, through airborne exposure and the placenta.

Prevention and Treatment

Distemper usually resolves as quickly as 10 days. Other cases may exhibit neurological symptoms for weeks and even months afterward.

There is no cure for distemper, only prevention.

Supportive care should be provided to dogs with the virus (fluids to prevent dehydration and medication to help control seizures). To protect your dog, make sure you keep your pet vaccinations up to date.

Canine Hepatitis

Canine Hepatitis is a liver disease commonly known as Rubarth Disease caused by a canine adenovirus 1. It is a powerful, resistant and extremely infectious disease that can be fatal.

It can survive for months at room temperature. The incubation period is 3 to 6 days and during this period it is hard to notice any symptoms of the disease.

Causes of Canine Hepatitis

The virus is transmitted by fleas, through the saliva or feces of other infected animals. Also, bad diet, food or medicine poisoning can be a cause of the disease.

Some dog breeds are much more susceptible to liver disease. Yorkshire terriers and Terriers are such breeds. Older dogs are also more susceptible to liver disease than juveniles.

Symptoms

·         Fever

·         Loss of appetite

·         Vomiting  and diarrhoea

·         Constant thirst and urination

·         Swollen belly filled with fluid (ascites)

·         Swollen lymph nodes

·         Strange behaviour (loss of coordination)

·         Yellow (jaundiced) tinge to the skin, ears and gums

Treatment

The vet may do blood and urine tests to help make the correct diagnosis.

Liver biopsy can also be performed; it is the only definitive way to diagnose the disease.

Treatment of hepatitis in a dog, as with most diseases, depends on the cause of the disease. To avoid pain or discomfort, symptomatic treatment can be used. This is the easiest method of treating hepatitis in a dog. After the initial diagnosis, antibiotic therapy and temporary quarantine of the animal are usually recommended.

It is always best to prevent disease and vaccinate the animal .

Canine Influenza

It is an infectious respiratory disease also known as dog flu. This infectious disease is common in shelters because it is transmitted by air.

Symptoms

Dog flu symptoms resemble kennel cough symptoms. 

There are several signs all owners should be aware of:

·         Coughing (both moist and dry)

·         Sneezing

·         Nasal discharge

·         Purulent nasal discharge

·         Runny eyes, fever, lethargy

·         Difficulty breathing

Treatment

Treating flu in dogs is fairly simple. The dog will need little care, but it is necessary to constantly watch the animal. Remember that if this disease is not properly treated, it can develop into another fatal disease, such as pneumonia.

Leptospirosis

Leptospirosis is a deadly, infectious bacterial disease caused by bacteria in the genus Leptospira. The disease causes serious damage to the kidney and liver .Almost a third of young dogs with leptospirosis die within 3 days.

Man can also become infected with Leptospira spirochetes. In humans, this condition is known as Weil’s disease.

Causes of Leptospirosis

The spirochete is spread through urine, foetal fluids. It is usually contracted from contaminated water (e.g. a puddle), food, beds, other infected animals (e.g. rodents).

Leptospira can enter the body through damaged skin (wound, such as a cut or scrape), intact gastrointestinal mucosa, andgenital mucosa.

Risk factors also include contact with farm animals. Hunting dogs , participating in hunting, shepherd and guard dogs. Dogs with strong hunting instinct are particularly at risk. Dogs between 4 and 10 years old.

The incubation period lasts from 5 to 15 days (usually about a week).

Dogs, even after recovery shed the bacteria in the urine. Such dogs are called carriers.

Symptoms

·         High fever

·         Apathy

·         Diarrhoea

·         Anorexia

·         Stiffness in the extremities

·         Muscle twitching

·         Eye colour characteristic of jaundice

·         Increased thirst

·         Dehydration

·         Vomiting

Severe secondary complications such as meningitis and jaundice may develop.

Treatment and Prevention

Prevention is the key, which is why appropriate vaccination is needed to protect the animal’s health as well as the safety and well-being of everyone around.

Treatment of Leptospirosis in dogs is mainly based on antibiotics. Thanks to them, you can fight the infection caused by bacteria.

Dogs with severe kidney or liver damage may require hospitalization for intravenous fluid treatment and other therapy.

Parvovirus

It is a life-threatening and highly contagious viral disease caused by a Parvoviridae virus (CPV-2).

It was first discovered in the 1970s in the United States and spread worldwide in one to two years. Since then, almost every dog around the world has encountered the virus because it is extremely resistant – it can survive for up to six months at room temperature.  damage to the intestines.

The disease most often affects puppies between 5 weeks and 6 months of age. Younger dogs retain some of their mother’s antibodies, while older dogs acquire immunity through vaccination (or storage and recovery). Older dogs (over 8 years old) who have never been vaccinated are also susceptible to the disease. This virus can attack animals with weakened immunity and it can result in damage to the intestines.

Don’t let your puppy to come in contact with unvaccinated dogs, avoid crowded public places for example parks where your puppy can come in contact with infected dogs.

Symptoms

In some adult dogs, infection occurs without symptoms, while in young dogs this disease always gives characteristic; disturbing symptoms that depend on what form we are dealing with.

Most common symptoms are:

·         Lethargy

·         Persistent vomiting

·         Fever

·         Lack of appetite and thirst

·         Watery(often bloody) severe life threatening diarrhoea

·         Fast breathing

·         Dehydration and weight loss

·         Leukopenia and lymphopenia, which show up in blood tests taken between days 2 and 5

Treatment and Prevention

There is no drug available to treat the virus. Sick dogs should be kept warm and receive good nursing care to help them get strong to fight off the virus.

Treatment includes:

·         Antibiotics to treat infections,

·         Intravenous fluids to keep them hydrated with appropriately selected fluids,

·         Nutritional support

·         Appropriate veterinary diets that accelerate recovery after such diseases. A strict diet should last until the dog’s body returns to normal.

Parvovirosis can be prevented by vaccination. Female dog should be vaccinated for up to a year, because vaccination also gives puppies immunity in the first few weeks of life.

Rabies

Rabies infection is caused by a virus that affects the central nervous system, particularly causing inflammation in the brain. It is considered one of the most dangerous neurological diseases that almost always ends in death. It spreads quite easily, which is why vaccination of dogs for rabies is mandatory.

 It is a deadly disease not only for dogs, but also for people. Annually, rabies causes death of more than 50,000 humans and millions of animals worldwide.

How do dogs get Rabies?

In almost every case, the disease develops as a result of being bitten by a sick animal. Sometimes infection can occur through contact of saliva of a sick animal with mucous membranes or an open wound. Most common carriers of the rabies virus are bats, raccoons, skunks and foxes.

The incubation period (time from bite to clinical signs of rabies) is long, which is due to the pathway and spread of viruses in the nervous system. It ranges from 3 to 24 weeks (usually from 3 to 8 weeks).

The disease progresses rapidly and can quickly prove fatal.

There are two forms of rabies: paralytic and furious.

·         Furious rabies in dogs is characterized by extreme behavioural changes.

·         Paralytic rabies, also referred to as dumb rabies, is characterized by weakness and loss of coordination, followed by paralysis.

Symptoms of Rabies

·         Fever

·         Hypersensitivity to touch

·         Extreme behavioural changes

·         Excessive  appetite

·         Hyperactivity of the animal and a tendency to aggressive behaviour

·         Sedation and lethargy

·         Change in tone of bark

·         Respiratory failure

Eventually dog become paralyzed resulting in difficulty swallowing food and water. Classic sign of rabies is the well-known symptom of foaming at the mouth.

Prevention and Treatment

Vaccinations for rabies are, so far, the only effective way to fight this disease.
It is important to know that vaccination against rabies does not necessarily mean 100% protection against this disease, although it certainly significantly reduces the risk. Even a vaccinated pet should be watched while walking, especially around areas where there may be wild animals. In the event of contact with sick animal or being bitten by one, e.g. another dog, immediately contact a veterinarian.

Unfortunately cure for Rabies in dogs doesn’t exist and there is no accurate test for the disease in live animals. Fluorescent antibody test can be performed but because it requires brain tissue, it can only be done after the death of the animal.

Animals with signs suggestive of rabies should be euthanized by an animal health professional.