Common Dog Diseases And What You Can Do To Help Your Pet

As a responsible dog owner, you do not simply need to feed and provide your pet with its needs. Part of your responsibility is to know how to take care of the animal especially during times of sickness and ailment. Thus, you need to educate yourself even on the common dog diseases.  Below are some of the commonly experienced ailments of our canine friends.  GiardiaThis ailment makes our pet suffer from diarrhea and abdominal pain. This could result to weight loss and difficulty in gaining weight afterward. It is caused by water-borne parasite from which the disease got its name.  This parasite can be found everywhere in North American so if you live within this area, be careful not to let your pet drink from any water sources like ponds, lakes or even stagnant pool of water.  You can protect your animal from Giardia by administering Heartworm prevention pills monthly.  These pills can also prevent parasite infestation in the animal's intestines. DistemperIt is a very contagious viral disease that can affect the animal's nervous system and respiratory system.  The animal could experience fatigue and fever. It will also cough and vomit; suffer from diarrhea and then seizures. Death is inevitable if distemper is not treated. Take your pet to a local veterinarian where it can be administered vaccinations to prevent distemper. ParvovirusIt is simply called sometimes as Parvo and is regarded as the most contagious of all diseases in dogs.  This illness affects its vowels; making the animal experience severe vomiting and diarrhea that can eventually lead to death.  All dogs, regardless of age can contract Parvo; but the highly risked are puppies. Parvo is spread from one animal to the other through contaminated feces. It is also possible to pass the virus through fur and paws. Vaccinations are powerful protection of pet dogs from Parvo. CoronaVirusThis is also another ailment that makes an animal experience diarrhea. All dogs can catch this coronavirus and again, puppies are highly at risk. Juvenile dogs are usually the ones who suffer from worst symptoms including vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, etc.  There are instances when a sick dog will have both parvovirus and coronavirus; a fatal case when the animal is most likely to die if left untreated. There are vaccinations you can ask the veterinarian to administer to your pet against this virus.  HepatitisHepatitis can affect the animal's liver, just as the disease does in humans.  It is contagious and is manifested through fever, diarrhea, vomiting and abdominal pain.  If no treatment is given to the animal, the disease can spread further to the kidney where it will wreak havoc. Prevent hepatitis in dogs by getting appropriate shots from the veterinarian.  CoughKennel cough is often caused by the Bordetalla virus, but other organisms can also cause the disease. Signs of kennel cough include severe coughing that can cause the animal to gag and vomit.  You may also observe watery eyes and nasal discharge.  Usually, vaccines for kennel cough are not automatically administered in the veterinary clinic, but if you do not want to take chances, just ask your vet to give the shot to your pet.