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Learning To Recognize Common Dog Diseases And Symptoms
There are two types of dog diseases: hereditary and infectious. Many infectious diseases can be prevented with vaccinations. Certain breeds will be more prone to hereditary problems, especially pedigrees. Be aware of the early warning signs to give your dog the best chance at a happy, healthy, disease free life. There is no way to replace the information available to you at your veterinarian. Having said that, there are many common diseases most are familiar with, and we will look at a few of the most common diseases and their symptoms. Every dog owner should know how to identify dog diseases and symptoms.
Many infectious diseases have similar symptoms. Some of the early warning signs are listless behavior, slowing motor skills, fever, coughing, decreased appetite, diarrhea, and vomiting. Most infectious diseases are spread through contact either with an infected dog or the bodily fluids from an infected dog.
Some of the most known of these diseases include rabies, distemper, heartworm, and parvovirus. Distemper and parvovirus are both contracted through contaminated fecal matter. Rabies is contracted from other rabid animals, and heartworm is brought by mosquitoes. Heartworm and parvovirus can often be turned around if caught early through antibiotics. There is currently no cure for rabies or distemper. But vaccines for all of these infections do exist.
Hereditary, or congenital, diseases affect one or many areas of the body. Some breeds may contract diseases of the eyes like cataracts and glaucoma. Heart diseases are similar to those found in humans, leaky valves, narrowing of the blood vessels, or uneven beatings. Many may suffer from musculoskeletal disorders. These can affect the skeleton, muscles, cartilage, ligaments and joints. The most common of these are dysplasia. Endocrine disorders include diabetes and problems with the thyroid. Smaller breeds with shorter faces are known to have respiratory disorders. Some may even be likely to become deaf or to have epilepsy. These are a few of the many hereditary diseases that are prevalent in a number of dog breeds and can seriously affect the health of a dog.
Pay close attention to their behavior. If sudden changes occur, contact your veterinarian. It is always best to err on the side of caution.
When dogs can come down with some very serious illnesses, vigilance is never overrated. Especially when dealing with the health of your pet. With annual vaccinations and regular visits to the vet, most of these infections are easily preventable.
Be very familiar with your specific type of dog. Each breed has peculiarities. Some may be more likely to certain infectious diseases. This is definitely true when looking at congenital diseases. A great resource is the national breed club for your breed of dog.
Knowledge is power when it comes to canine health. Get your dog vaccinated to avoid infections. Thoroughly understand the behavior of your dog, especially the traits of its breed. Have a veterinarian regularly check your dog. These simple steps can prevent many infectious diseases, and the knowledge will help you to keep your dog happy and healthy.
Find out more about dog diseases and symptoms by looking online. Keep that dog health for your animal to stay around longer. Head online today and learn more.