What are the Top Ten Diseases of the dog?
Dog Diseases in the number of results, as in humans. But, veterinarians tend to see some much more than others. Unfortunately, much of pain could be avoided if more dog owners were careful to see that their pets are immunized regularly against preventable dog diseases.
While experts, as usual, may differ, what are the top ten diseases dog? Here is a list (not necessarily in order of seriousness) with a brief explanation of each disease:
Distemper:
Of all the dogs diseases, the American Veterinary Medical Association considers the distemper virus, or canine worst disease threat to dogs in the world. Distemper is fatal in 80% of pups and 50% of adults. All dogs are very vulnerable and should be vaccinated, with subsequent reinforcement according to the recommendation of a veterinarian.
Parvovirus (Parvo):
Parvovirus is a dog disease worldwide. It is very contagious, especially among puppies, and can overwhelm a dog leading to death within 48-72 hours after exposure. Symptoms include depression, loss of appetite, vomiting and severe diarrhea. Parvo vaccination is essential with booster shots as recommended.
Rabies:
Rabies is a virus and becomes serious when the symptoms appear. Because rabies can be fatal to humans and other mammals, state and local laws uniformly require rabies vaccination, many mandatory annual booster shots.
Kennel Cough:
This is a respiratory disease especially prevalent in kennels and shelters. There are a variety of strains of viruses, including Bortadella. Symptoms may include a dry cough along with inflammation of the larynx, bronchi and trachea. Vaccination, as often as every six months is recommended.
Leptospirosis:
The symptoms of leptospirosis include lethargy, kidney inflammation, low grade fever, vomiting, redness mucous membranes and conjunctiva, and blood clotting abnormalities. Since it is a bacterial disease, also found in humans, is treated with antibiotics. Veterinarians are often reluctant to be inoculated against the disease of the dog, as it is questionable effectiveness, and puppies can have adverse reactions.
Infectious canine hepatitis:
While this dog disease often manifests with mild symptoms such as mild fever or slight lethargy, may in some cases be fatal. Recovery is usually rapid. Vaccination is recommended.
Lyme Disease:
Symptoms of Lyme disease in dogs include lethargy, joint pain, lack of appetite, enlarged lymph nodes, and fever. Lyme disease is a bacterium and transmitted by ticks. Treatment is with tetracycline, an antibiotic. The vaccine is not usually recommended.
Coronavirus:
Diarrhea and vomiting are the symptoms of this disease the dog so it can be confused with parvovirus. Other indications are loss of appetite, smelly diarrhea, lethargy and dehydration. The replacement of lost fluids and control of vomiting and diarrhea are the recommended treatments. A vaccine is not usually recommended.
Obesity:
As in humans, this dog disease is a serious medical problem. Often, obese humans own obese dogs. Obviously, limiting food intake, withholding human food and exercise sufficient help to a longer duration of the dogs.
Heartworm:
Heartworms are parasites that grow and multiply, infesting chambers in the heart, the arteries in the lungs. Symptoms appear gradually, usually manifested in easy fatigue, lethargy and mild cough. If not treated, eventually causes death by congestive heart failure in an animal, once active. Prevention with products such as HartGard recommended.
Your vet should give a certificate showing your pet's vaccination against common dog diseases. Ask for a wallet-sized card that can bring with you.
About the Author
Robert G. Knechtel maintains several websites, including
http://PetMedShop.Com
,
http://www.petmedshop.com
, and
http://Go60.Com
,
http://www.go60.com
.
Canine Cardiac Disease How Common Heart Murmurs In Dogs Could Be The Result Of CCD