Dog Illnesses

Is your dog healthy?
If you are a dog owner, you probably know how important it is to have a happy and healthy pet. Daily care, grooming, and attention go a long way in keeping many health problems at bay. Taking appropriate steps to prevent diseases will save you and your pet a lot of concern and trouble.

It is a good idea to get your pet inoculated and dewormed as per your veterinarian's advise. Contact the vet if you find any kind of irregularities in your dog. If an illness is detected earlier, there will be a better chance of getting it cured.

Here are some things you should look out for:
The Dog grows listless and depressed and shows a distinct lack of stamina.
The Dog stops eating and loses interest in food.
The Dog drinks too much water.
The Dog suffers from excessive vomiting and diarrhea.
The Dog keeps shaking its head or scratching its body.
The Dog loses its hair and develops open sores on its body.
The Dog shows stiff movements.
The Dog develops prominent lumps on its body.
The Dog has foul breath.
The Dog shows significant yellowish tartar deposits on its teeth.
The Dog has excessive discharge from its eyes or nose.
The Dog shows difficulty in breathing.
The Dog shows sudden aggressive tendencies.

If you think your pet is displaying any one of these signs, you probably need to contact your veterinarian.

Parasites that cause diseases in dogs.
One of the main problems that dog owners face is battling internal and external parasites that plague their pet.

Some external parasites are Fleas, Mites, Lice, and Ticks. If your dog is constantly scratching itself, particularly around the ears and the chest area, than it probably is infested. External parasites don't just make your pet embarrassing in polite society, they can damage its coat and lead up to all sorts of diseases, even prove fatal in some cases. Regular brushing and grooming can help control the presence of external parasites to an extent. Consult your veterinarian and he will advise you of a proper treatment to follow. Numerous sprays, shampoos, and medicinal washes are available in the market to combat external parasites. You will also need to spray your immediate surroundings to kill the parasite eggs and prevent the parasites from breeding.

Internal Parasites like Tapeworms, Heartworms, Roundworms, Hookworms, and Whipworms are equally damaging for your pet's health, causing anemia, internal bleeding, and death, and should be summarily dealt with. Following a regular de-worming routine and keeping your pet isolated from areas frequented by stray animals will certainly help.

Skin diseases in dogs
Skin diseases in dogs are frequently caused by the presence of external parasites. Mange, which is caused by mites, commonly comes in two forms – Demodectic Mange and Sarcoptic Mange. Both forms of mange are extremely unpleasant and serious, the Sarcoptic Mange especially so as it can be transferred to humans. If your dog shows signs of mange, it should be isolated from other dogs and especially from children and should receive treatment immediately. Treatment is usually in the form of injections, oral medication, ointments, and medicinal baths.

Rabies
Rabies, which is specific to mammals and which is transmitted through the saliva of the infected animal or by receiving a bite from the infected animal, is perhaps the most feared of the canine diseases as there is no treatment available and death is certain. Prevention is the only way to stop this illness. Make sure your pet is vaccinated against Rabies and keep your distance from un-vaccinated dogs and wild animals.

Canine Distemper, Parvovirus, Leptospirosis, and Parainfluenza
These diseases, although not fatal nowadays, are quite serious and damaging. Again, prevention is an option better chosen. Get your pet inoculated and keep it away from other dogs until all inoculations are complete.

With some proper care and precautions, you can protect your dog from illnesses and diseases, and have a well and healthy pet.