10 Dangerous Dogs’ Diseases And Their Treatment

Advancement in the field of medicine has made every disease in man or animal curable, the dog owners still should be aware of the health issues the dog can likely be the victim of.  The dogs are playful and active groups of canine. They love outdoor games.

Due to their habit of playing in soil and in taking everything in the mouth they found, they are prone to many diseases. These diseases can be death causing.

Selective breeding is done in order to produce dogs of different shapes, sizes, colors, and temperaments. This diversity also adds many genetic and hereditary diseases.

The Dogs become part of because of their loyalty, intelligence, and attractiveness. Everyone wishes his dog to live for forever, which is impossible. So to keep your dog with you as long as possible you need to know the diseases your dog can suffer, their symptoms and the treatment.

Here 10 dangerous diseases which can affect puppy of any breed in its every state.

This disease can fatal up to death but if recognized in the earlier stage can be treated. Each one of these disease with its symptoms and treatment is discussed here.

Canine Distemper:

A contagious viral disease which affects the Respiratory, Gastrointestinal and Central Nervous System. The conjunctival membranes of the eyes are also affected. In this disease, the footpad and nose become hard, hence also called Hardpad Disease.

How is the virus transmitted?

This virus is transmitted from dog to dog. If a puppy comes in direct contact with Urine, Blood or Saliva of affected dog it can be affected. Some other modes of transition include: Sharing of the bowl, sneezing, coughing, sharing food and drinking contaminated water.

Symptoms of Canine Distemper in Dogs:

If the puppy sneezes, coughs and secrets out thick mucus from the nose and eyes, it can be taken as the first sign of the Distemper. More prominent symptoms of this virus are lethargy, fever, sudden vomiting, and diarrhea. Dogs victim of this disease loos apatite and live depressed.

Treatment of Canine Distemper in Dogs:

This disease spreads very quickly. Supportive care for the disease is only the proper medication, however, for its prevention, there is vaccination available.

To know whether a dog is affected by this virus there is not any special test. The vets, through series of tests and examining symptoms come to know about the virus. The success of the proper medication depends upon the stage of the virus. Initially, medicines are given to stop vomiting and treat diarrhea. In second place IV fluids and anti-seizure medication are given.

Parvovirus in Canines:

Parvovirus is another viral disease which can cause death. The disease spreads aggressively within the body by splitting the cells.  It severely affects the intestinal tract.

It makes immune system weaker by intervening the white blood cells. It cures the disease if the victim puppy is brought in its earlier state for the medication. In very young puppies, parvovirus can damage cardiac muscles leaving behind lifetime heart issues.

How is this virus transmitted?

Genetic change may the reason for many diseases including the parvovirus. CPV is mostly found in selective or crossed breeds, which are the primary source of this virus dispersion.

It is transmitted from infected dog to a healthy dog by direct contact, or healthy dog when sniffs stool of infected dog, which is heavily concentrated with the virus, can get affected. According to some of the veterinarian, the virus can live alive for a year within the soil hence healthy dogs can get this virus by playing the soil where an infected puppy had vomited.

Symptoms of Canine Parvovirus in Dogs:

Generally, the puppies infected with this virus show lethargy and have frequent vomiting. Other signs include loss of appetite bleeding and diarrhea, which may cause a long-lasting dehydration.

Deadly disease can be diagnosed by conducting a number of tests which include Physical examination, Analysis of the urine, Radiography of abdomen and ultrasound of abdomen along with Biochemical tests.

Treatment of Canine Parvovirus in Dogs:

Because it is a viral infection there is no any proper medication for it.

However, it can be cured by keeping the dog in a clean and virus free environment, preventing it from infection of second bacteria. Food care and comprehensive therapy are two main things which will add to the recovery of the puppy.

Also read: How to get rid of Parvovirus?

Rabies:

A disease which is found in human beings and animals including dogs, is one of the most dangerous viral infection, as it mainly affects the brain and spinal cord.

According to an estimation 50,000 human and millions of the animals lose their lives because of Rabies. It’s fatal disease so to prevent your dog from getting this virus, you need to vaccinate your dog and keep him away from the infected animals.

How is this virus transmitted?

The primary way the virus is transmitted to dogs is biting. When a virus carrier bites healthy dog the virus with the saliva gets into the body and spreads with blood. It starts replicating the muscles cells. As soon as the virus is in outnumber it attacks the nearest nerve fiber. Up to a month, the virus may take for its development but once signs appear it spreads quickly.

Symptoms of Rabies in Dogs:

Rabies virus attacks in two phases earlier phase are called paralytic which lasts for a day or two. Dog under this condition show no prominent symptoms but there are some ignorable changes in the behavior.

While the other is called furious which is the state where virus starts taking control of the dog and it starts to show aggression and biting behavior. Along with it your puppy will unable to swallow, the jaw will be dropped, lack of coordination in the body muscles can be seen, and will show weakness, fever, and pain.

Treatment of Rabies in Dogs:

Upon feeling signs of Rabies in your dog rush to the veterinarian for blood examination because sometimes these behaviors are taken as a sign of some other disease and it’s too late when you consult a veterinarian.

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Lyme Disease:

This is one of the most common diseases caused by bacteria. The spirochete is special species of bacteria which case it. Lyme disease is found in Human beings and animals including dogs. This disease affects the heartbeat behavior, joint performance, and health of the skin. It is caused the bite of the special type of tick which carries the bacteria in them. It can be deadly with time if not given proper medication. It can make your dog stick to a place and can lead to death.

How are the bacteria transmitted?

Some species of ticks are the host of many bacteria including spirochete, a special type of bacteria which cause Lyme disease. The ticks cannot fly or jump rather they climb on the tips of the bushes waiting for animals to come closer.

When they get on the body of the animals lets say dogs, ticks start biting. Ticks biting transmit the bacteria in the body. Which spreads in the body with the bloodstream. It is not directly transmitted from dog to dog but body contact of the dogs may exchange the ticks which eventually cause Lyme disease.

Symptoms of Lyme Disease in Dogs:

A prominent sign of the Lyme disease is that dogs develop red spots on the skin and which keep on expanding. It is the earlier stage. When bacteria are spread within the body dog show symptoms which include lethargy, avoiding the normal activities he loves to do, fever, loss of appetite, joint pain, and joint swelling. These signs can even include kidney failure and cause death.

Treatment of Lyme Disease in Dogs:

Two types of tests are done in order to know that the dog is suffering from the Lyme or not. These are Antibody test: which only indicates the presence of some antibody within the body of the dog without telling the type of bacteria.

It sometimes gives false negative result due to the initial stage of the infection. Polymerase chain reaction, which is a DNA test, properly indicate the presence of the Bacteria along with giving information of its type.

After that, the disease has been indicated some antibiotic medicines are given to it like Doxycycline along with some pain Relievers. The treatment of the Lyme disease usually lasts for four weeks.

Kennel Cough:

Kennel cough or Bordetella is a bacterial Bordetella bronchiseptica. A dog affected by Kennel a cough will also have a parainfluenza virus which make your dog at risk of many infection Bordetella. Dogs are infected by a kennel cough when dogs, in their respiratory tract, take a good number of bacteria and virus.

Both of these attack the inner lining of a respiratory tract called cilia. This result in the upper airway inflammation. Due to this irritation is produced in the airways causing the dry cough. A cough may be the cause of many diseases including heart diseases.

How are bacteria transmitted?

Victim of a kennel cough while coughing gives out bacteria in the air. When a healthy dog comes in contact with this air it gets infected. Moreover, it can also be transmitted by direct body contact, use of contaminated food and sharing of the bowl and so on. This bacteria spread more quickly if the dogs are kept in a close and small area like boarding.

Symptoms of Kennel Cough in Dogs:

Essential and eminent symptoms are a constant and cogent cough. However the dogs with a kennel cough also show some signs like reverse sneezing, running nose, discharging of eyes and dog without losing appetite, will lose energy, will give you lethargic signs.

Treatment of Kennel Cough in Dogs:

A kennel cough is a deadly disease if you find any of the above symptoms. Rush to the veterinarian. Sometimes it is revered without any medication but medication can add to the quick recovery. Its proper medication includes some antibiotics. Recovery time duration varies with the dog to dog and medication, but the estimated time is about three weeks.

Leptospirosis:

Leptospirosis is a mortal zoonotic disease which means it can spread from dogs to man. It’s bacterial disease. Leptospira genus of the Bacteria is the cause of the Leptospirosis. It spreads quickly within the body with the bloodstream. It reproduces in the liver, kidney, central nervous system, eyes and reproductive system. The bacteria can damage these organs causing death.

How are Bacteria transmitted?

Warm and humid areas are the favorable inhabitants of the Leptospira bacteria. Stationary water is the main source where the dogs get this bacteria from. Urine of the infected dog is a big source of this virus so when a dog or man comes in contact with he can be affected. It can also be transmitted with direct contact, using of consuming food, holding feces of the infected dog in the mouth and sharing the bowl.

Symptoms of Leptospirosis in Dogs:

The cruelty of illness varies with the atmosphere and immune system of the host. Initially, the affected ones show high fever, muscular soring, and lethargy. Later on, it goes to serious conditions like depression, lack of appetite, kidney failure, dehydration, bloody vomit, blood during vaginal discharge and so on. It can get worse with time and can even cause death.

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Treatment of Leptospirosis in Dogs:

This disease is treated in two stages in earlier and initial stage antibiotics are given to stop the bacteria shedding in the urine. As time passes and bacteria grows up a dangerous level and damages the kidney or liver, it becomes very difficult to treat it. In this stage, treatment includes IV fluids, antibiotics and vomit reducing medication. Normally treatment fails when these organs fail so be quick as possible to save your faithful companion.

Canine Herpesvirus:

Herpes virus, a deadly viral infection which infects the reproductive system of adult dugs and causes an abrupt death in the newly born puppy a little no indication is also called fading puppy syndrome.

Little puppies have very little or nearly no hope of survival after being affected by this virus however adults can be recovered if brought to the veterinarian on time. That is why it is known to be the severe viral puppy’s infection.

How is virus transmitted?

The herpes virus of the canine id present in the reproductive and respiratory organs of the male and female dogs, which are transmitted to their offspring. This virus is transmitted to other dogs by direct contact, licking of sexual organ, through sex contacts however it if dogs also spread the virus when they sneeze, cough. The healthy dog can be affected by sniffing.

Symptoms of Canine Herpes virus in Dogs:

This disease shows no symptoms and in newly born puppies while in adults it is very hard to determine but with some assumptions and some tests it can be recognized. With deep examination, you will know the soring of genetic organs. Sometimes the kennel cough is the sign of the CHV.

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Treatment of Canine Herpes virus in Dogs:

In case of the puppies, the treatment fails or even in most of the cases the puppies before they are brought to the veterinarian. If a baby is brought to the clinic only the antivirus drugs not sufficient besides the immune sera antibodies, containing blood from the mother is also giving to it.

While in adults if the disease is recognized in the earlier stage it can be cured by giving proper medication which includes the antivirus drugs and medicines which could stop the other diseases like a kennel cough etc.

Histoplasmosis:

Histoplasmosis is a chronic infection caused by a fungus called Histoplasma capsulatum. This fungus is present in the soil or even in some birds. When your puppy, while playing intake such soil or eat bird with fungus it is infected with Histoplasmosis. It along with dogs also can affect the human beings. Organisms of the Fungus keep on replicating which could produce diverse health effects along with lung infections.

How is the fungus transmitted?

Histoplasmosis is a blood-borne disease which means it is transmitted through blood. Primarily it is transmitted from soil to the dog which inhales the contaminated soil or eats a bird infected with the Histoplasma capsulatum fungus. It is a non-contagious disease which means it is not transmitted from dog to dog through physical contact.

Symptoms of Histoplasmosis in Dogs:

Initial symptoms appearing in dogs which are infected with Histoplasmosis are the lack appetite, a sudden reduction in weight, depression, and diarrhea. With time these symptoms may get to worse condition and serious illness can be seen like cough, breathing difficulty, change in the skin and eyes, body tissues and gums become yellow and spleen and liver enlarges.

Treatment of Histoplasmosis in Dogs:

As soon as you notice these symptoms consult your veterinarian. Who for the confirmation will conduct some blood teste and urine test and if the Histoplasmosis is confirmed will start medication according to the dog condition.

Treatment may vary with a dog to dog and stage of the infection so the best option is to consult the veterinarian. However, the medication may contain some anti-fungal medicines which are known as azoles. Select of correct medicine and duration of medication is decided by the vet according to the condition and type of infection.  Mostly it lasts for 4 to 6 months.

Hookworm:

Hookworm is blood sucker which lives in the small intestine and is capable of producing great damages. It remains attached to the intestine and keeps on biting, leaving the bite spots from where blood remains dropping, which is why hookworm-infected dogs have bloody feces and the eggs of the hookworm. This parasite has three stages egg, larva, and adult. Their presence for more time may be deadly for your pet.

How is parasite transmitted?

An adult hookworm feeding on the blood of the body by remain attached to intestinal walls also lay eggs which through the feces are passed to an environment where they become larva and can remain alive for weeks or for months.

If a dog sniffs the feces the larva get into the body and tries to reach the intestine where they become adult and lay eggs. This parasite can also pass to the human body through the skin and can complete its life cycle. In human, it is as dangerous as in dogs.

Symptoms of Hookworm in Dogs:

Initially, it produces anemia while with time the parasite may produce signs of weakness, loss of weight, diarrhea, itching of paws, slow growth and change in the color of gums to be yellow. Along with this bloody feces and irritation of skin can be the eminent symptoms to confirm the presence of the hookworm.

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Treatment of Hookworm in Dogs:

The fecal float is test carried out to diagnose the presence of eggs of hookworm in the feces. There are a number of medicines used to treat the hookworm and can be used regardless of the bookworm type. The veterinarian will help you chose the right one.

Note that medication will affect the adult, not the larva which is migrating. For the complete cure, the medication is repeated so that the larva when becomes adult can be killed. Which usually takes 2 weeks.

Tapeworms:

Tapeworm is parasite found in the intestine of human beings and animals including dogs and cats. The DipylidiumCaninum is the common species of the tapeworm found in the dogs. Tapeworm has a segmented body with each segment having a separate reproductive system.

It has suckers with the help of which it firmly attach itself to the intestine of the host and sucks blood. It feeds on the food of the host. Consequences in the puppy can be fatal and it’s presence in men produce more serious effects than in dogs.

How is parasite transmitted?

Tapeworm uses two hosts to complete its life cycle the primary host and secondary. In case of DipylidiumCaninum commonly found the parasite in the dogs is the primary host. When it is intaken by the dog the tapeworm gets in the body and starts growing. Now the dog is the secondary host. It feeds on the secondary host food.

Tapeworm when grown big it breaks into the segment and each segment can serve as an individual. These segments are outnumbered and are passed out of the gut. Through sniffing the feces the healthy dog can get infected. This segment when reaches the intestine it starts growing.

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Symptoms of Tapeworms in Dogs:

Symptoms of the disease can be severe with age and intensity of the infection. Presence of the tapeworm causes irritation in the lower body of the host. So the eminent sign for you to guess the parasite is that your dog will rub the rare end of the floor. While other signs may include loss of the weight even with normal eating, the dog will be lethargic, he will vomit frequently, the coat will become dull,  and also dog can have diarrhea.

Treatment of Tapeworms in Dogs:

The presence of the tapeworm is confirmed in the clinic by testing the stool sample. Once it is examined in the feces the treatment is started. Parasiticide is suggested by the veterinarian, which comes in oral and injection form. This medication will remove the tapeworm from the intestine. This only the treatment but dog can again be infected so make it secure you must make your environment free of these parasites.