Canine Diseases: Everything You Need To Know

On many occasions it is difficult to recognize canine diseases or alterations in the body of our pets, sometimes they present with symptoms from the first moment and others go unnoticed until the condition is very advanced. In addition, animals do not know how to transmit their suffering to us and most of them spend it in silence.

It is true that some diseases are unavoidable and have no solution, but by knowing the symptoms of the most common ones and preventing them, you can keep your pet safe.

What are the most common canine diseases and how can I prevent them?

Canine Viral Diseases produced by contagion:

• Rabies: it is spread through the bite of an insect that has been in contact with another infected animal. It affects the central nervous system and the symptoms vary from seizures, paralysis of a limb, unusual aggression, photosensitivity and lack of coordination, among others. This disease is almost eradicated in most countries, but we can still prevent its transmission with a vaccine inoculated annually.
• Parvovirus: is an infection transmitted by exposure to an infected dog or contact with its feces. It produces vomiting and diarrhea, and can become a deadly disease as it mainly attacks puppies that have not yet been vaccinated against this virus and whose immune system is not yet mature enough to survive it. Your treatment may be prolonged, requiring a large supply of fluids to restore the dehydration suffered. The way to prevent its infestation is through a vaccine that is established several times in the post-lactation stage and that is subsequently repeated annually. It is also convenient that the animal does not have contact with other dogs or go outside for a walk, if it has not yet finished its vaccination cycle.
• Distemper or Distemper Disease: it is one of the causes of greatest mortality in canines and its transmission is carried out through contact with the nasal secretions of a dog infected with the virus. It manifests through seizures and pneumonia. For this virus there is no cure or any way to alleviate the early symptoms, but there is a vaccine to stop its transmission.
• Coronavirus: it is highly infectious and especially affects puppies not yet vaccinated; its contagion is through contact with infected feces. The appearance of symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting and weight loss can give us clues for the detection of the disease. The veterinarian can establish a preventive vaccine. Its treatment is usually symptomatic to restore the hydration and well-being of the animal. Mortality from this virus is low.
• Hepatitis or Adenovirus: This serious disease is transmitted through feces or saliva.  Its symptoms mainly present with fever, vomiting and diarrhea. Its development can be very aggressive and fluid therapy treatment delayed, but it can be prevented by early injection.
• Para influenza: It is one of the most contagious diseases and is easily spread through nasal secretions and even items that have had contact with the infected dog. It can be fatal in older dogs. It causes dry cough, shortness of breath, sneezing and runny nose, fever, conjunctivitis, vomiting, depression, weakness and loss of appetite or bronchopneumonia in certain cases. Even after his recovery, which can last about ten days, the animal can transfer the virus to other dogs during the two weeks after his recovery. Apart from the antibiotic treatment, its accessories, such as the feeder, the bed, etc., must be cleaned frequently and rigorously. Currently there is vaccination to prevent infection.
• Kennel Cough or Bordet Ella: is a respiratory infection that especially affects dogs with low defenses. It affects the trachea and bronchi. It develops with the appearance of dry cough, sneezing, shortness of breath, runny nose, dehydration, weakness, etc. And that can also lead to pneumonia. His therapy is antibiotic and it is necessary for the dog to acquire enough defenses to fight it. Sometimes it can get complicated, although most recover without problems. We can prevent this condition by using a vaccine that is given as a dropper through the nose.

Canine Bacterial Diseases produced by contagion:

• Leptospirosis or Typhus: caused by a bacterium, it is highly infectious and also affects cats, although they are less prone to it. The most common mode of infection is by contamination of stagnant water with exposure of an open wound, through contact with urine and other body fluids of an animal carrying the disease. We must be careful since we can also acquire it, especially through the ground. It mainly affects the liver and kidneys. The signs of appearance in the pet can include cough, fever, weakness and loss of appetite, respiratory or agitated difficulty, lower back pain, frequent and abundant urination, dehydration, reddened mucous membranes, nosebleeds, tremors, vomiting and the presence of blood in urine. Its treatment is antibiotic and can be prevented through vaccination.
• Periodontitis:  is an oral condition that affects health due to the accumulation of dental tartar and that leads to an infection of the gums, to the point of causing loss of bones and mouth parts in the structure of the jaw. If it is not treated in time, it can cause infections in the liver, kidneys and heart, and even contaminate ourselves. It presents with tartar, bad breath, inflammation and redness of the gums, tooth loss and loss of appetite caused by pain when chewing. It is caused by the accumulation of food remains that causes the appearance of bacteria and can be reduced by making a habit in the dental hygiene of our pet, with brushing or chewing dental toys or foods that prevent their appearance. You should also visit your veterinarian regularly to clean the mouth if necessary.

• Plyometric:  is an infection caused by bacteria that reproduce in the uterus and form pus inside the cavity. It affects females of middle or long age, although there are exceptions. It occurs due to increases in progesterone after the heat period or due to morphological changes. Its resolution must be immediate and treated on time. The most effective treatment and prevention of its appearance consists in the removal of the uterus and ovaries by surgery. Although you can also opt for other types of alternative therapies. His subsequent recovery will include the administration of antibiotics and fluid therapy. It appears, sometimes, with the presence of bloody vaginal secretions or pus. It can also cause vomiting, fever, diarrhea, malaise, urination and frequent thirst.
• Cystitis:  it is a disease of bacterial appearance that affects the inflamed urinary system of the animal’s bladder. It must be treated immediately to prevent it from becoming a chronic problem. Your dog may be upset and restless due to the pain and urinate frequently and small. He will also drink more than usual. The appearance of blood in the urine denotes that there is an alteration in it. The treatment for this disease is antibiotic. Provide your dog with the adequate amount of water daily and maintain a healthy diet. Proper hygiene will free you from acquiring this type of alteration.

Most common Canine Parasitic Diseases:

• Leishmaniasis: it is a serious and sometimes fatal disease for your pet. It is transmitted through the bite of an insect called Phlebotomies or Sand Fly. This mosquito can also transmit the disease to people, although its symptoms are triggered differently. In dogs it develops as a chronic disease. Once infected, it will spread through your blood system and invade vital organs. Although on some occasions it does not show signs of evidence and can go unnoticed, its symptoms are characterized by hair loss, weight loss and lack of appetite, skin injuries due to contact with surfaces, kidney failure, etc. For its prevention we can find different products such as repellents, lotions or pills.
• Lyme disease: caused by the transmission of a tick, its main characteristic in its appearance is lameness due to inflammation of the joints. Other more common symptoms are fever, depression and loss of appetite, stiffness and curvature of the back, or shortness of breath. In higher complications there may be kidney damage and heart conditions. Most affected dogs respond well to antibiotic treatment without too many complications. In some cases there may be squeal in the joints and ailments. To avoid tick bites we can apply topical products such as sprays or place repellent collars. Other diseases that ticks also transmit are Babesiosis and Erhchiosis.
• Giardia: is an intestinal parasite that can affect humans and be fatal in dogs if not treated properly. Its contagion can occur through direct contact with the feces or the anal area of ​​another infected dog, as well as contaminated accessories such as beds, toys, etc. It is also found in polluted waters. The symptoms are foul- smelling diarrhea, with blood or yellowish stools, abdominal pain, reluctance, weight loss and nausea. Its resolution is antibiotic although, in some cases in which the dog is too young or has few defenses, it can invade the entire intestine causing the death of the animal. It is important to stop it in time. To prevent its infestation, it is important to always provide it with water in clean containers to avoid the proliferation of these parasites and not let it drink from puddles or places that may be contaminated. Your veterinarian can also administer preventive treatments.

• Dipilidium or dog tapeworm: transmitted through contact with fleas. It is a flat worm that lives in the intestine absorbing matter. They reproduce rapidly by laying eggs and can be transmitted to people. To avoid this type of plague we must control the appearance of fleas through external deworming with topical products. The treatment, however, to eliminate the tapeworm is internal deworming.
• Toxoplasmosis Gondi: affects both dogs and cats. It is a parasitic disease that lives in the blood. The dog is an intermediate host, since the cat is the primary recipient. The infection is carried out through the cat’s feces and these parasites settle in the digestive tract where they reproduce, affecting other organs. The symptoms vary between analytical disorders, ocular lesions, appearance of yellowing of the gums and gastrointestinal problems. Among others. The treatment is antibiotics, although dogs with low defenses can develop a poor immune response. Your prognosis depends on the severity of the injuries caused. If we have a cat, we can avoid its appearance with proper hygiene of its feces drawer.

Tips for your dog’s health:

1. Whenever you acquire a pet, from any place of origin, carry out a review at your veterinarian and a blood test to determine that it is free of diseases and does not suffer from any condition. Animals that have already acquired a disease should not be vaccinated.
2. Follow the vaccination schedule to prevent the spread of viral and bacterial diseases.
3. Until the puppy’s initial vaccination period is over, do not put him in contact with the outside or other animals.
4. Frequently deworm your dog according to the guidelines indicated by the specialist.
5. If you see any type of symptomatology or any change in your dog’s mood, consult immediately and find out what could be the cause.
6. Do not give him home remedies or any type of medication due to the appearance of symptoms, since depending on the type of disease, it could further harm his condition.
7. If you are going to go on a trip to humid or swampy areas, consult with your veterinarian about the means of prevention of parasites that can be found in the place.
8. If you think your dog has been bitten by an insect or tick, go to a clinic immediately  so they can advise you on the procedure to follow.
9. Offer him a healthy diet so that he has no deficiencies and his defenses are adequate.
10. Keep your feeder and accessories in proper condition and clean them frequently.
11. If you think that he can suck things that are harmful to his body in the street, keep a muzzle on the walks until he gets used to it and the mania goes away.