The most common dog diseases

Being aware of the illnesses that most commonly affect furry companions can help to act effectively at the first symptoms, thus increasing the chances of recovery. Recognizing the aspects of each case can be useful both inside and outside the veterinary medical office.

There are many common diseases that can affect domestic pets, but the risk decreases if the animal is provided with a good diet, timely medical care and a pleasant environment in which to live and exercise.

Complying with the vaccination schedule, as well as a diet rich in nutrients, can help your pet enjoy a much healthier and happier life. In this sense, it is convenient to consider supplementing your food with supplements that contain, for example, the best magnesium, considering its beneficial metabolic effects.

However, there are several dog diseases that can affect even healthy dogs, mainly due to the fact that they are caused by infectious bites, bacteria or other alterations.

Knowing a little more about these conditions is important to know what to do if, for example, your dog is shivering, seems to have a fever or is listless, as this way you can guarantee veterinary medical attention in a more timely manner.

10 common canine diseases

Next, we will review 10 of the most common diseases in dogs, their cause and the standard treatment that is usually applied in cases without alterations:

1. Parvovirus

It is usually a disease to pay attention to in puppies, since, if not treated in time, it can be fatal.

It is spread through feces contaminated by the virus and can be highly contagious. It is among the causes of fever symptoms in dogs and should be attended by a veterinarian.

This disease has a vaccine to prevent it and must be administered in 2 doses: the first at 45 days after the puppy was born and the 2nd at 9 weeks of age. This second dose also contains elements for protection against other viral diseases.

2. Rage

Among the diseases without a cure is rabies, which spreads through a simple bite from another animal that is infected and can cause fever, irritability, aggressiveness, vomiting, among other symptoms that alter the behavior of the sick dog.

To care for your dog against this disease, you should apply the first dose from the first 6 months and then once a year for the rest of his life, since it is recommended to reinforce the vaccine annually.

3. Demodectic mange

It is one of the most common skin diseases in newborn dogs, as it is transmitted through an infected mite that passes from mother to puppy. It does not usually pose a high risk, but in the same way it should be checked by a veterinarian, to prevent any greater lack of control.

4. Distemper

The viral disease distemper can be compared to measles in humans. It is highly contagious and spreads through inhalation of viral particles found in the environment or by sharing food and water bowls.

The vaccine for this viral disease is applied in several doses from the puppy’s 6 weeks of life. It is usually included in polyvalent vaccines that are boosted at 2, 3, 4 and 12 months of age, to obtain immunity.

5. Leishmaniasis

This disease is transmitted through the bite of a mosquito called Phlebotomus. It is classified as serious and even fatal if it is not treated in time and has no cure.

It is prevented by timely vaccination and is applied in 3 doses. In addition, it is advisable to prevent the animal from sleeping outdoors during the hot season, since this is when mosquitoes reproduce.

6. Mastitis

Mastitis in dogs is inflammation of the mammary glands. It occurs mainly in female dogs and is part of the non-contagious diseases of canines, since it does not spread from one animal to another.

It can be due to accumulation of milk during pregnancy or infections caused by bacteria. Both cases require veterinary attention and given their nature, cannot be prevented.

7. Diarrhea

Diarrhea occurs when the dog’s feces take on a much more liquid texture than normal, in addition to being accompanied by colic and is capable of generating tremors in dogs.

The types of diarrhea in dogs are divided into acute and chronic, the latter being the most complicated and the one that most requires veterinary attention, since it is possibly a bacteria or parasite that is affecting intestinal performance. In other cases, it may be due to poor digestion and it is a symptom that can be treated at home, always taking care to prevent the animal from becoming dehydrated.

8. Ear infections

Otitis in dogs requires antibiotic treatment, since it is an ear infection that, in general, tends to affect breeds with long or drooping ears more. It can be quite uncomfortable and painful for the animal and even require surgery in complicated cases.

It is not a contagious disease, so there is no vaccine, but it can be prevented if you always keep your pet’s ears clean and dry them well after each bath.

9. Leptospirosis

This disease is caused by the spirochete virus, which is present in the urine excreted by infected dogs. It is spread primarily through contact with contaminated urine, although it can also enter the animal’s body through a superficial wound.

Its treatment focuses on the application of antibiotics such as penicillin and streptomycin to combat the infection. For the most part, it does not have a high case-fatality rate and the clinical pictures have mild symptoms; but, in the same way, it requires veterinary medical attention.

10. Canine Hepatitis

Type I adenovirus is the cause of canine hepatitis, being highly contagious and capable of spreading through various body secretions of the animal, such as urine, feces or saliva. It can become very complicated and alter the functioning of other organs.

It has a preventive vaccine that must be applied between the first 7 and 9 weeks of life, and then receive a booster between the following 11 to 13 weeks. This will confer lifelong immunity to the puppy, protecting it against the disease.

recommendations

Even if your pet looks generally healthy, it never hurts to get a checkup at least every 6 months to avoid complications later on.

The signs that a dog is dying are sometimes not very noticeable, so it is advisable to keep your dog’s medical record up to date.

Likewise, it is the obligation of every owner to provide both a good home and a balanced diet supplemented with vitamins for dogs, which guarantee a correct development throughout the life of the animal.