Common Dog Diseases

The most common dog diseases are listed below. The best prevention is yearly immunizations from your veterinarian.

RABIES - You may have seen the movie "Old Yeller". Well that about sums up rabies. A bite from an infected animal causes the disease to spread to the brain and nervous system. This is a fatal disease.

The disease can be passed to humans from a bite or saliva getting into an open wound. It is one of the very few diseases that can be contacted by humans from an animal. It is a warm blooded animal disease.

Yearly immunization against this common disease is imperative.

If you think your dog has come in contact with a rabid animal and is acting strangely (avoiding water, becoming aggressive) get him to the vet immediately.

CANINE DISTEMPER - is a highly contagious disease similar to measles in humans. Infected animals shed the virus from all body secretions. Inhaling the virus is the most common way the disease is transmitted.

The virus attacks the brain cells and the cells that line the surface of the body. Meaning mucus membranes, gastrointestinal tract and breathing tubes.

The first stage is a fever spike of 103-105 degrees. Loss of appetite, listlessness and watery eyes are the beginning. A few days later the discharge becomes thick, yellow and sticky.

The second stage occurs 2-3 weeks after the onset. Brain involvement my be showing. Head shaking, slobbering, faux chewing.

Needless to say, at the first signs of any thing different in your dog, take him to the vet immediately. Distemper can be treated with antibiotics if caught in time.

Again, yearly immunization is a must to prevent common diseases.

PARVO - is a virus that affects the gastrointestinal tract. It is transmitted through oral contact with infected feces. It can be carried in the dog's coat, feet, contaminated crates, etc.

After a few days of exposure, the dog becomes lethargic, vomiting and diarrhea are present. A fever may or may not occur.Get the dog to the vet at once. Your pet will need intensive care requiring fluids for dehydration and electrolytes.

Yes, again, yearly immunizations will help prevent this disease.

HEARTWORM - Got mosquitos? Then you are in a heartworm prone area. Your dog will need to be on a heartworm preventive medication.

The this common dog disease is spread from the bite of a mosquito on your dog's skin. The mosquito releases its larvae and it makes its way into your dog's heart and sets up shop. The heart is literally swarming with worms. It causes the dog to cough, become out of breath easily and lethargic.

If you live in an area with high humidity and lots of rain most of the year, then your dog should be on preventative year round. Usually warmer or tropical climate states, such as, Florida and most southern states are in this group.

During the summer, however, all of the lower 48 US states are prone to mosquito infestation.

A word about heartworm preventatives. Most of them contain an ingredient called ivermectin. If you have a Collie or collie type breed (mixed with or herding breed) they carry a gene that has adverse affects to the drug.

I suggest a medication that does not contain ivermectin. There are some out there on the market that you apply topically (to the skin) and some you give orally. An ivermectin reaction can cause death in dogs that carry the gene.

These are just a few of the common dog diseases you need to have your pet immunized for.

There are a few more that are rolled up into one vaccine, DHLPP (distemper, hepatitis, leptosporosis, parvo and parainfluenza) along with rabies and a few other area specific diseases. Check with your veterinarian to see what he/she recommends to protect your pet.

There are many more common dog diseases out there to be aware of. For more comprehensive information check out www.dog-breeds-and-dog-health.com . A great source written by a veterinarian.