Mary Allen
Who doesn’t know it – worrying about your four-legged friend when he shows slight behavioral problems. Even if you would like to protect your family member from all dog diseases, this is not always possible. Susceptibility to various diseases is simply there. In order to be as well prepared as possible should the worst come to the worst, dog owners should have a rough idea of the most common dog diseases. We have put together an overview of the 10 most common dog diseases, their symptoms, treatment, and prevention in this article for you.
What Dog Diseases are There?
There are so many diseases that dogs can get. This ranges from allergies and respiratory diseases to organ or bone diseases. Sometimes animals suffer from a disease from birth or the diagnosis only occurs at an advanced age. In general, you should make sure you visit the vet regularly for routine checks and to refresh any vaccinations. You can also get an impression of your dog’s state of health from a specialist. In addition, a healthy diet, sufficient exercise, and little stress are also ideal for animals for long life.
Dog Diseases: Common Diseases Briefly & Simply Explained
Worm infestation
One of the most common dog diseases is worm infestation. As the name already suggests, your four-legged friend is infested with parasites, so-called worms. These meanies then deprive him of important nutrients and vitamins. The common thing is that worms in dogs are not only dangerous to them but they can also, in some cases, be passed on to their owners.
The symptoms of a worm infestation vary. Depending on the type of worm and a dog’s age, they can vary. Tapeworms, roundworms, and hookworms are the most common. If you suspect your dog might be suffering from worms, you need to examine the stool for better or for worse. This is because dogs infested with worms often have small white particles in their stool that resemble grains of rice. Bloody diarrhea, vomiting, or a so-called worm stomach can also occur. Worm belly is a common symptom, especially in puppies. These digestive problems often cause the dogs to lose a lot of weight and become lethargic and apathetic. The worms often cause an itchy anus. Affected dogs often try to get rid of this itching by sliding their buttocks across the floor.
In order to avoid transmission at birth, a mother female should be dewormed before mating if possible. Worming helps to prevent worm infestation. You should deworm your dog at least twice a year with a special dewormer. Regular stool examinations by the vet are also recommended.
How do I recognize a worm infestation in the dog?
The symptoms of a worm infestation vary. Depending on the type of worm and a dog’s age, they can vary. If you suspect your dog might be suffering from worms, you need to examine the stool for better or for worse. This is because dogs infested with worms often have small white particles in their stool that resemble grains of rice. Bloody diarrhea, vomiting, or a so-called worm stomach can also occur.
Dog Diseases – Cataracts
Like humans, cataracts are an eye disease in dogs. A clouding of the lens interferes with the dog’s vision. The light or the information when seeing can no longer be reproduced on the retina. Basically, any clouding of the lens is understood as a cataract in the dog. The disease can cause blindness in dogs.
Cataracts can have various causes. On the one hand, it can be hereditary or a consequence of a previous illness, such as diabetes mellitus. Inflammation, metabolic disorders, and injury can also lead to clouding of the lens.
Treatment of the disease by a veterinarian is imperative. There is no way around an operation here. However, before this is carried out, the disease must be diagnosed beyond doubt. The lens is either partially or completely removed during the operation. An artificial lens is then inserted. This significantly improves your eyesight.
Allergies
Dogs often suffer from certain allergies or food intolerances. The principle is the same as with humans. Dogs are allergic to certain substances. Contact or skin allergies are also possible.
You can tell whether your dog is suffering from an allergy by looking at various symptoms. On the one hand, there is increased itching. There are also sores, vomiting, or diarrhea. Some allergies also cause red bumps in the fur, discharge, or pus from the nose and eyes.
The treatment of an allergy simply consists of not using the allergic substances. Be it changing diet or changing shampoo. This should make the symptoms go away. It is important to avoid contact with the allergenic substance.
Kennel cough
Kennel cough in dogs is one of the highly contagious infectious dog diseases. It is also transmitted through the air by droplet infection. The dogs usually infect each other here. This disease is particularly common when there are many dogs in one place. This is where the name “kennel cough” comes from since the risk of infection is higher in dogs that are kept together in kennels than in dogs that are kept individually. Despite this, dogs can of course also become infected outside of a kennel. An increased risk of infection can also be found, for example, at dog shows or generally anywhere where dogs meet.
The typical symptoms of kennel cough are a strong, barking cough, breathing problems, or increased nasal discharge. The four-legged friends often have to choke or vomit because of the sudden, strong cough. Although it sounds bad, the disease is usually harmless to dogs. If the course is uncomplicated, it will be cured after one to two weeks without any consequential damage, and the respiratory tract will be healthy again. If the disease is severe, additional symptoms such as eye discharge or fever can also occur. If the disease is not treated, the risk of pneumonia increases. This is also the case when a secondary infection comes into play.
Kennel cough, one of the most common dog diseases, is not always treated in the same way. It depends on the pathogen and the patient. It is important that the sick dog must rest. You can prevent kennel cough by giving your dog a good immune system. This can be achieved by eating a wholesome diet, drinking enough water, and exercising enough. If necessary, vaccination can also be helpful.
How much exercise does the dog need with hip dysplasia?
To delay the progression of the disease, do not let your dog climb stairs. If possible, go swimming with your dog. The walkies should be relatively short.
Dog diseases: hip dysplasia
Hip dysplasia in dogs is caused by a lack of development of the hip joint or femur. The head of the femur does not fit properly in the socket. This creates friction on the loose hip joint, causing cartilage and bone to wear down. Medium-sized to large dog breeds are particularly affected. Hip dysplasia is a hereditary disease, which is why it is one of the causes of the disease. The result in advanced age is arthrosis. Poor posture and inadequate nutrition favor the development of the disease.
The disease develops quite early, within the first 15 months of life. It can be symptom-free for a long time. The stronger it is trained in dogs, the more painful it is of course for the four-legged friend. At an advanced stage, the dog is less active, simply lies down during the walk, and the gait changes. The pelvis is often moved a little sideways. If your dog shows severe pain symptoms even with the slightest touch or movement, you should go to the vet as soon as possible. X-rays and special tests can be used to diagnose the severity of the disease.
Hip dysplasia is one of the dog diseases that unfortunately cannot be cured. Painkillers or anti-inflammatory drugs can only alleviate the symptoms of your four-legged friend. To delay the progression of the disease, do not let your dog climb stairs. If possible, go swimming with your dog. The walkies should be relatively short. The vet may recommend a change in diet. Getting an artificial hip can also help.
Tumors
Today, almost one in four dogs will suffer from a tumor at some point in their lives. The risk increases with the age of the dog. Breeds such as boxers, German shepherds, and poodles are particularly at risk. A distinction is made between benign and malignant tumors. Not every tumor is also cancer. Benign tumors, such as fatty tumors, usually do not have to be removed if they do not affect the dog. In general: If you notice a lump or a hardening, have it examined by a veterinarian! This can determine what it is about. The earlier the tumors are discovered and diagnosed, the better the chances of recovery for the four-legged friend.
Additional symptoms such as weight loss, pain, or loss of appetite indicate a malignant tumor in most cases. As in humans, these must be surgically removed and, if necessary, irradiated. You should always consult your trusted veterinarian. He can decide whether the treatment makes sense and if so, which form of treatment is chosen.
Ticks
Ticks are probably familiar to everyone if not everyone has had a tick. Just like humans, the dog is a popular victim of nasty tormentors. They mainly sit in tall grass and meadows. And it’s not just the tick bite that’s common. They can transmit dangerous dog diseases such as TBE or Lyme disease.
The most important thing here is: Prevention is better than aftercare! In order to transmit Lyme disease in particular, the bloodsuckers must have stuck to their host for 16 to 24 hours. For this reason, you should always check your dog after a walk or after playing in the grass when the temperature is over seven degrees. Because the ticks wake up from their hibernation at +7 degrees Celsius.
In addition, various preparations, sprays, or tick collars can keep the parasites away. In some cases, the vet also recommends vaccination against Lyme disease. However, this is only recommended if the dog is a so-called risk patient or the dogs live in risk areas with an increased rate of ticks. Symptoms such as fatigue, apathy, loss of appetite, or red-brown urine can indicate a tick bite.
Flea infestation
Fleas – annoying tiny parasites that tamper with their host’s blood. They wait until the right host has been found, attack it, and start sucking blood straight away. The best way to tell if your dog is infested with fleas is to look at the droppings. So if you suspect your dog has fleas, brush it with a special flea comb. If you find small black crumbs when brushing, then this is flea excrement. To be really sure, spread the black crumbs on a damp tissue and rub them up. If the handkerchief turns reddish-brown, you can be sure: your dog has fleas.
Everyone probably knows typical symptoms from television. The dog is restless and his whole body itches. He scratches, gnaws, and licks his fur constantly. If you take a closer look, you may be able to see small reddish puncture marks on your dog’s skin.
If your dog has fleas, you need to clean him and the entire area thoroughly. The veterinarian will prescribe appropriate preparations. In order to prevent a flea infestation, you should practice prophylaxis with medication or preparations, as with ticks. Those who are not convinced of medical products can use an anti-flea collar.
What to do if your dog has fleas?
If your dog has fleas, you need to clean him and the entire area thoroughly. The veterinarian will prescribe appropriate preparations. In order to prevent a flea infestation, you should practice prophylaxis with medication or preparations, as with ticks. Those who are not convinced of medical products can use an anti-flea collar.
Hepatitis
Hepatitis contagiosa canis – H.c.c. – is a form of liver inflammation. It can only be transmitted from animal to animal. This makes it safe for dog owners.
Mutual contamination occurs via feces, urine, or saliva. Liver inflammation is caused by a viral infection. After infection, dogs usually do not show any symptoms, but instead, produce antibodies. If your dog does fall ill, the symptoms will appear within two to five days. However, every dog reacts differently, which is why not one exact symptom indicates hepatitis. However, there are a number of symptoms that are typical of the disease.
Typical symptoms are general fatigue, increased temperature – fever, apathy, stomach pain. This is often accompanied by diarrhea, vomiting, and refusal to eat because of the pain. The mucous membranes turn yellowish.
In most cases, the disease is fatal for young dogs or puppies that are not yet vaccinated. For this reason, the best treatment is prevention through vaccination of the dog. The disease cannot be treated casually. It is only possible to alleviate the symptoms with medication. In most cases, the vet will prescribe an antibiotic.
Ear infection
Ear infections are also one of the most common dog diseases. It can affect the outer, middle, or inner ear. The most common form of ear infection is that of the external auditory canals.
There are various causes for such inflammation. On the one hand, it can be triggered by bacteria, viruses, mites, or other parasites. On the other hand, foreign bodies can also be the cause. If your dog has long, hanging ears, the risk of an ear infection is higher than dogs with pricked ears. You should check your four-legged friend’s ear canals regularly (once a week). This should be part of the grooming routine.
Dogs whose ears are inflamed often show symptoms such as frequent scratching due to severe itching or head shaking. If your dog’s ear smells funny, this can also indicate an infection. Redness in the ear or discharge from the ear are also common symptoms of an ear infection. To get the inflammation under control, the vet will prescribe an antibiotic. In addition, it is recommended to rinse and clean the ears with an antibacterial preparation. This kills the pathogens.
What helps with an ear infection in dogs?
To get the inflammation under control, the vet will prescribe an antibiotic. In addition, it is recommended to rinse and clean the ears with an antibacterial preparation. This kills the pathogens.
What Do I Have to Do If My Dog is Sick?
If the animal shows severe symptoms such as fever and seizures or can no longer move due to pain, your direct path should lead to the vet! Veterinarians and veterinary clinics have also set up emergency services at weekends or at night. You should tell the vet exactly what symptoms your dog is showing and how long they have been present.
The vet examines your four-legged friend and if in doubt, can treat the animal against the pain and order further diagnostics. If you become ill, you can discuss further therapy with the doctor and what you need to watch out for at home. In the best case, you always have contact with the veterinary practice at hand, so that you can contact him directly, even in the event of an accident or the like.