The health of a domestic dog largely depends on proper care and nutrition. It is important for a person who decides to have a four-legged friend to follow all the rules for keeping pets, which will minimize any risks of illness in the pet.
A dog, like a person, is not protected from diseases. But, unlike people, animals cannot tell about their illness, so a caring owner needs to be especially attentive to his pet. If the slightest signs of an unhealthy condition are detected, the dog should be taken to a veterinarian.
In the article we will tell you how to distinguish a healthy animal from a sick one, list the main symptoms of a dog’s poor health, the most common diseases of dogs and their signs, how to recognize the onset of an illness in a pet in time, what diseases pose a danger to humans, a list of incurable and fatal diseases of dogs.
The main signs of poor health in a dog
You can determine if a dog is sick by its characteristic symptoms and visible changes in its behavior.
The main signs of an unhealthy state of animals:
* lethargy, drowsiness;
* apathy;
* refusal to walk and communicate with the owner;
* lack of appetite;
* the dog does not drink water or is excessively thirsty;
* warm, dry nose (in healthy dogs it is moist to the touch);
* hair loss;
* anxious restless sleep;
* causeless whining. Any of these signs may indicate a pet illness, which should not be ignored.
The most common diseases of dogs
Dogs are susceptible to various diseases – from infectious, parasitic processes to genetic, hereditary ones.
The most common diseases in dogs:
* parasitic, infection with helminths, fleas, ticks, skin parasites;
* canine distemper – a viral disease;
* urolithiasis – the formation of stones in the organs of the urinary system;
* cystitis – inflammation of the bladder;
* enteritis – inflammatory process in the small intestine;
* ringworm is a common dermatological infection that affects the skin;
* encephalitis is an acute viral disease that affects the brain.
Incurable and fatal diseases of dogs
Many animal diseases are treatable. The main thing is to provide timely assistance to your four-legged friend and responsibly follow all the veterinarian’s recommendations.
But there are also deadly incurable diseases that lead to the premature death of a pet. Most often, they are of viral origin.
Deadly diseases in animals:
* rabies;
* canine distemper;
* acute infectious disease leptospirosis;
* babesiosis – infection occurs from the bite of ixodid ticks;
* parvovirus (hemorrhagic) enteritis caused by a DNA virus of the Parvoviridae family.
Diseases transmitted to humans from dogs
A dog in the house has a beneficial effect on the psycho-emotional state of people. It would seem that the animal will bestow the owner with love and devotion, and will bring only good changes in the life of the household. But, unfortunately, this is not entirely true. There are some risks observed with constant contact with a pet, and they are associated with the possibility of contracting infectious diseases transmitted from dogs to humans.
What diseases are transmitted from dogs to humans:
* rabies;
* lichen;
* helminthiasis;
* echinococcosis;
* toxoplasmosis;
* leptospirosis;
* chlamydia;
* tuberculosis.
If your dog exhibits characteristic symptoms of the disease, you should immediately seek help from a veterinarian. After examination and diagnosis, the specialist will be able to make an accurate diagnosis and select effective treatment. If a Dog is diagnosed with a disease that can be transmitted to humans, it is necessary to get tested for everyone who had close contact with the animal.
Dog diseases by symptoms
Each dog disease has specific symptoms. These signs can make a preliminary diagnosis.
The owner’s attentiveness to the animal’s painful manifestations will also speed up the process of making the correct diagnosis in a veterinary clinic. The doctor, having heard from the owner the main symptoms and the nature of the development of the disease process, will quickly determine the list of necessary diagnostic procedures and prescribe medications that will help relieve painful symptoms and speed up the pet’s recovery process.
Skin
Dogs may develop skin diseases of non-infectious origin, manifested by hyperpigmentation, severe itching, and baldness of areas of the body or limbs. At the same time, the animal constantly scratches the area that bothers it.
The most common skin disease in dogs is atopic dermatitis, which is associated with an allergic reaction of the body. The disease is chronic inflammatory in nature. Certain breeds of dogs are at risk: German shepherds, boxers, terriers, cocker spaniels, Dalmatians, Shar-Peis, Labradors and miniature schnauzers.
Common infectious diseases of dogs:
1. Chlamydia is an infection caused by chlamydia, as a result of which the dog’s vital organs are affected. The disease causes a wide range of clinical manifestations.
2. Infectious hepatitis is an acute contagious disease accompanied by a febrile state, damage to the liver, central nervous system, mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract and respiratory organs. May have a hidden current. With fulminant development, mortality is observed in 100% of cases.
3. Leptospirosis is a contagious infectious disease that affects blood vessels, liver, kidneys and other organs. Accompanied by high fever, anemia, disturbances in the digestive tract, and diarrhea. Transmitted by contact with infected individuals. An infected dog can also infect a person.
What does disease prevention in dogs include:
1. Proper care and hygiene.
2. High-quality nutrition.
3. Active lifestyle of the animal.
4. Vaccination according to the calendar.
5. Avoid contact with other animals, especially street (stray) animals.
Monitor your dog’s health and take immediate action if your friend is acting out of character or showing signs of illness. The health and lifespan of the pet largely depend on the care of the owner.
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