Dogs are a member of the family, and if you’re a dog owner, you probably take your pet’s health seriously. There are several dog diseases that are quite common, and recognizing the symptoms is crucial to receiving timely care.
Distemper
Mild symptoms of distemper in dogs can mimic a cold or sinus infection. But symptoms can progress from runny eyes, coughing and fever to the more serious: paralysis and vomiting.
Parvovirus
You might suspect this common dog disease that attacks your dog’s organs if your dog vomits, has diarrhea, is lethargic and loses weight. Treatment is essential for a positive outcome, and parvo is quite contagious.
Rabies
Dogs (and other animals) contract rabies through the bites of saliva of other infected animals. Rabid dogs may be hyperactive and experience irritation and inflammation at the infecting wound site. Unfortunately, rabies is fatal.
Heartworms
You can tell your dog has heartworms, a type of parasite that’s spread by mosquitoes, if she experiences coughing or respiratory issues, lethargy, and weight loss.
Kennel Cough
Coughing is the main sign of this condition. The respiratory infection is quite contagious, so you’ll want to treat your dog as soon as possible.
Lyme Disease
Dogs (and people) get Lyme disease from an infected tick. Bacteria from the bite spreads to your pet’s joints, so limping is a sign of Lyme disease. This is often accompanied by fever, loss of appetite.
Kidney Disease
If your dog is drinking and urinating frequently and loses appetite or weight, he might have kidney disease.
Fortunately, many of these common dog diseases can be prevented with medication (a preventative pill exists for heartworms) or vaccines (distemper, rabies, and parvo). This is why it’s so important to schedule vaccines for a new pet, keep up with annual exams and vaccinations and contact a new vet whenever you move.
If your dog is experiencing any worrisome symptoms, you can contact Waldorf Emergency Care at (301) 705-9700 for advice or schedule an appointment with a Waldorf veterinarian. Our office is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.