Dog
Disease
Every year when you bring your pet
in for a check-up, your veterinarian likely talks to you about vaccines and
gives Fluffy or Fido a good look over. They may draw blood, or recommend preventative care
routines. As a dog parent, it is important to recognize the signs and symptoms
of common illnesses so you can seek veterinary help for your canine friend as
soon as possible. Read on for information about diseases and other medical
inflictions that frequently impact dogs.
Gastric
Does
your dog wolf his food down in a blink of an eye? Then he may be at risk of
bloat, which is basically an enlarged stomach; this can become even more
complicated if the stomach also turns. This prevents fluid and air from
escaping the stomach, which prevents the dog from belching or vomiting.
Diabetes
Diabetes
in dogs is a complex disease caused by either a lack of the hormone insulin or
an inadequate response to insulin. After a dog eats, his digestive system
breaks food into various components, including glucose—which is carried into
his cells by insulin, a hormone secreted by the pancreas. When a dog does not
produce insulin or cannot utilize it normally, his blood sugar levels elevate.
The result is hyperglycemia, which, if left untreated, can cause many
complicated health problems for a dog.
Kidney
disease
Kidney
disease can develop on its own over a dog’s lifetime or as a complication from
medications or other diseases (like Lyme disease). Unfortunately, kidney
disease that develops over a pet’s lifetime—a.k.a. chronic kidney disease—is
not preventable most of the time. Dogs with a genetic predisposition to kidney
failure are most at risk.
Lyme
disease
This
tick-borne illness is another highly preventable disease. It is caused by a
bacteria transmitted by slow-feeding deer ticks that have been attached to the
dog for at least 18 hours. It’s the most common of the tick-related illnesses.
The number-one symptom is lameness in limbs that can shift from leg to leg over
a period of time. Stiffness and decrease in appetite also can occur. If not
caught, Lyme disease can lead to kidney problems—even kidney failure. Treatment
is through antibiotics and although symptoms are usually resolved in four
weeks, they may not always fully go away.
Heartworm
Heartworm
is a parasitic worm that lives in the heart and pulmonary arteries of an
infected animal. The worms travel through the bloodstream—harming arteries and
vital organs as they go—ultimately completing their journey to the vessels of
the lung and the heart chamber about six months after the initial infection.
Several hundred worms can live in one dog for five to seven years.
Kennel
Cough
Kennel
cough is a term loosely used to describe a complex of respiratory
infections—both viral and bacterial—that causes inflammation of a dog’s voice
box and windpipe. It’s a form of bronchitis and is similar to a chest cold in
humans.
Ringworm
Although
the name suggests otherwise, ringworm isn’t caused by a worm at all—but a
fungus that can infect the skin, hair and nails. This highly contagious disease
can lead to patchy areas of hair loss on a dog and can spread to other
animals—and to humans, too.
Chocolate
Poisoning
Pretty
much everyone knows dogs can’t eat chocolate. But surprisingly, a good number
of dogs still manage to get their paws on it, and it remains of the most common
causes of poisoning in dogs. The amount your dog eats and the type of chocolate
are the two main issues. Symptoms of chocolate poisoning include vomiting,
diarrhea, pacing, panting, and shaking. More serious cases could cause an
irregular heart beat, seizures, heart attack, or even
death. If you think you dog has eaten any chocolate,
do not wait to take him to the doctor.
Cancer
There
are all types of canine cancers, and they seem to be on the rise. A staggering
50 percent of dogs aged ten and older will develop some form of cancer, and
it’s the leading cause of death of dogs in this age group. The faster you find
and treat cancer, the better the chance of survival. If you notice a change in
your dog’s behavior or habits, mention it to your vet right away.
Arthritis
Arthritis
is often seen as a rite of passage for our older pets. They may seem slow to
rise in the morning, or a bit reluctant to jump up to their favorite spot on
the couch. Your veterinarian can diagnose most forms of arthritis during a
routine exam, but they may also recommend an x-ray to rule out other issues or
evaluate how seriously inflamed the joints are. While there is no cure for
arthritis, there are joint supplements, and even treatments like acupuncture,
to help keep your pet as mobile as possible for as long as possible.
Parvovirus
It’s part of the core vaccines all
puppies should be given—which means most dogs should not actually get this
preventable viral disease that attacks their intestines and heart. Puppies in
breeding facilities or shelters are most at risk of coming in contact with an
infected dog. Most dogs contract parvo by coming into
contact with the poop of a contaminated dog, either directly or indirectly,
like on a shoe.
Dental
disease
While everyone dreads “dog breath,” a stinky
mouth is no joke. Both cats and dogs can develop tartar, gum disease, and
cavities that require a professional dental cleaning. Dental disease is the
perfect example of “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” because
bad oral health can also lead to dangerous heart and kidney conditions in pets.
Teach your kittens and puppies that brushing their teeth is a normal part of
your grooming routine and save your pet a dental procedure down the line.
Obesity
Obesity
has become as serious of a problem in our pets as it is in the human
population. Sadly, overweight pets are more prone to heart disease, diabetes,
arthritis, and premature death. But while underlying disease or slow metabolism
might be a factor, all too often, pet obesity is caused by doting pet parents
who overfeed and under exercise their cats and dogs. There is no quick fix for
obesity, but, just like with a human diet, check with your veterinarian for
feeding and exercise guidelines. It might be as easy as swapping the dog treats
with green beans or giving your cat a five-minute run with the laser pointer
before bed. It might sound crazy, but when it comes to obesity, we can love our
pets to death. You can help your dogs and cats live long lives by giving them
the tools to stay light on their paws.
Fungal
disease
Fungi
live in soil and are usually transmitted by airborne spores. So if your dog
inhales contaminated soil, he can contract a fungal disease. Some fungi are
worse than others; there are diseases that only affect the skin and there are
diseases that affect the entire body – the liver, lungs, and brain. The latter
is much worse and can be deadly. The four fungal diseases that attack the
entire body are blastomycosis, histoplasmosis,
valley fever, and cryptococcosis, all affecting dogs
in different regions of the United States.