07 Dec Dog Diseases, Especially in the Dog Community

Popular pets such as dogs, which are kept in large numbers and breeds, are more susceptible to disease. If you’re a pet dog owner, this article can be handy for you. Because by knowing about the conditions and specific symptoms of each one in dogs, you will eliminate any worries about losing your faithful friend. As seen in humans, dogs’ health deteriorates with age. Unfortunately, pets reach old age much faster than us. This article will examine dog diseases, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and prevention, and the most acute diseases in the dog community.

Signs of dog diseases

Regardless of your dog’s age, your role in helping him stay healthy and well can be very important. You should pay attention to the fact that your dog can’t tell you what is wrong with him or that he’s sick, but he can only show the symptoms of the disease and inform you. Knowing the symptoms and causes of the most common disorders can influentially prevent your dog from getting sick. It may seem a little scary that at least 10% of pets that come to the vet for a checkup have underlying diseases.

The main symptoms of the dog diseases

• Bad breath and lethargy
• Drinking a lot of water or urinating a lot
• Changes in appetite with weight loss or weight gain
• Change in the level and type of activity (for example, not doing the things he used to do)
• Difficulty climbing stairs
• Excessive sleeping or other behavioural changes
• Coughing, sneezing, breathing problems such as shortness of breath or heavy breathing
• Dry or itchy skin, sores, bumps, or head tremors
• Problems related to the digestive system and digestion
• Red, dry, or watery eyes

If your dog shows any of the above symptoms, you should visit the vet as soon as possible. Unfortunately, it may sometimes be difficult to detect disease symptoms in dogs, or they may be hidden. Often, even the most intelligent dog owners attribute subtle signs of illness to old age.

Dog diseases diagnosis and treatment

Because the disease symptoms in dogs aren’t always apparent, your vet may recommend preventative care testing as part of your dog’s annual checkups. This type of test usually includes the following options:

• Chemistry and electrolyte tests assess the condition of the internal organs and ensure that your dog isn’t dehydrated or suffering from an electrolyte imbalance.
• Tests to determine if your dog has tick-borne heartworm or other infectious diseases.
• Blood tests to check for other blood diseases
• Urine tests to screen for urinary infections and other diseases in this field, among which we can mention the evaluation of kidney ability for excretion problems.
• A thyroid test determines if the thyroid gland produces too little thyroid hormone.
• ECG to screen for abnormal heart rhythms may indicate underlying heart disease.

A series of tests may be added individually for some dogs in exceptional circumstances. In general, all dogs use the above-recommended tests. Your veterinarian will recommend the best conditions to monitor your dog’s health and disease.

The most critical and dangerous signs of disease diagnosis in dogs

In general, dogs can be diagnosed with these ten symptoms. But some important and urgent diseases have their symptoms and will be more severe than the symptoms of other diseases. If you see these symptoms in dogs, you should take them to the vet as soon as possible. Among these symptoms, the following can be mentioned:

• Observe changes in the gums’ colour, which can be whitening or bruising.
• Difficulty breathing
• Fainting of the dog manifests itself by falling on his side.
• Not showing any reaction to surrounding stimuli such as seeing, sounding, etc
• Loss of balance and confusion
• Hard to walk
• Abdominal bloating so that it’s visible
• convulsions
• Palpable signs originating from severe pain, such as howling and such signs
• Very low or very high body temperature that’s different from the normal one.

Prevention

Conducting preventive care tests not only helps to diagnose diseases in the initial stages but also makes it possible to respond to different treatments of diseases to a large extent. It also helps you avoid significant medical and treatment expenses if a particular illness isn’t detected. One of the most critical points in these tests is to find out what problems your dog faced that led to the condition. These tests can be the best method of disease prevention and effective treatment.

Risks of disease in the dogs community

This part lists the most common diseases specific to dogs in social environments with other dogs.

Rabies or plague

Rabies is the result of the reaction of a highly contagious virus. Dogs and puppies are usually infected through rabies virus particles in the air or the respiratory secretions of other dogs with the disease. Dogs infected with rabies typically suffer from fever, weakness, cough, vomiting, diarrhoea, convulsions and paralysis of body parts. This disease is often fatal. 

Flu

This type of disease in dogs is caused by the influenza virus, which is known as a new disease in dogs. Because most dogs haven’t been exposed to this disease, and as it’s a new disease, their immune system won’t be able to respond to this virus. In this way, many dogs are easily infected when exposed to it. Dog flu is spread through respiratory methods and contaminated objects (including surfaces, bowls, food containers, etc.). This virus can live on surfaces for up to 48 hours, on clothing for up to 24 hours and the skin for up to 12 hours. Dogs infected with the influenza virus often have coughs, fever, and runny noses. When a dog sneezes when he’s sick, he will make a sound similar to a kitten. 

Canine parvovirus

Parvovirus is highly contagious and attacks the digestive system. It causes severe fever, diarrhoea and vomiting. This disease is spread through direct contact between dogs, contaminated faeces, contaminated surfaces and bowls, equipment, and people’s hands and clothes. The treatment of this disease incurs a lot of costs. However, many dogs may die of this disease despite the treatment. 

Heatstroke 

This disease will happen in scorching weather, a considerable danger for dogs. Note that dogs have an outer coat containing hair, which makes them feel warmer than you. A temperature that may be a little hot for you is certainly too hot for your dog. Note that dogs are usually active and lively around other dogs. At this time, the heat can be fatal for your dog.

Breeds with short noses, such as bulldogs, Boston terriers, etc., are more susceptible to heatstroke and respiratory problems. Among the symptoms of heatstroke, we can mention fast heartbeat, anxiety, weakness, and abnormal gum colour. Any dog showing signs of heatstroke should be immediately moved to a shaded area out of the sun, wrapped in cool, wet towels, and cooled by these methods every few minutes. Pouring cool water on the dog’s body can be very effective. The water absorbs the temperature of the dog’s body and is immediately cleaned. 

External parasites on the dog’s body

Other problems dogs suffer from when living with each other include external parasites. Among these parasites are ticks, fleas, etc., transmitted externally from one dog to another. These parasites can be transferred to your dog from the external environment and the other dog’s bodies. Fleas can carry various types of viruses and disease-specific germs with them. Now consider that these fleas are transferred to dogs if they spend most of their time in and around your home. In this way, they can bring fleas and ticks with different diseases to your home. 

Fungal infections

Fungal organisms in the soil can infect dogs when they eat or smell them. Dogs can also become infected through the skin, primarily through skin wounds. In general, fungi infect the body through the respiratory tract and cause fever, cough, lethargy, and flu-like or pneumonia-like symptoms. If these fungi are eaten, problems such as pain and diarrhoea may occur. Dogs with suppressed immune systems (i.e., dogs whose immune systems are weakened by disease or certain medications) are more likely to be infected by fungi and thus develop fungal infections.

Heartworms

Heartworms are transmitted by mosquitoes and can cause coughing, lethargy, difficulty breathing, heart disease, and death. A heartworm is a thin, thread-like worm that can lead to dangerous heart diseases. 

Intestinal parasites

Intestinal parasites lay eggs transferred to the dog’s faeces and the soil with their faeces. These parasites infect other dogs when they eat dirt, drink water contaminated with other dogs’ faeces, and lick infected hair or paws. These worms can also cause malnutrition. 

To wrap up 

Dog diseases in different regions are different from each other. According to this point, if you’re in a particular area and don’t know the type of these diseases, it’s better to consult your veterinarian. Dog diseases can be transmitted through many methods, including ordinary brushes, food dishes, collars, etc. To have a healthy and lively dog, you need to pay attention to nutrition, activity, health, grooming, etc. You can prevent the disease and have a healthy dog in this case. In all these steps, you can count on the specialized team of MishkaGrooming. Our experienced and precise groomers have carefully and accurately groomed your dogs so they count the moments before the next session.