Common Illness Your Dog May Be Exposed To

Your dog, like you, can become ill…but unlike you, he/she can’t verbally tell you that she’s sick, is in pain or is just feeling under the weather. It’s really up to you to be observant, by being aware of some of the symptoms and signs that your dog is ill.

Fortunately, by regular visits to the vet and keeping vaccinations current, most of the serious illnesses can be avoided. But there are those that can’t be prevented, so it’s important to be aware of what they are, their symptoms and what you should do for them.

Common conditions that could affect your dog :

1. Skin problems typically can be caused by a few different things such as
   1. Parasites, which include, fleas, ticks, mange mites and ear mites. At first you may not see these parasites on your pup, but you will definitely notice the itching and scratching and skin biting. (It won’t be long before you’re itching and scratching too!) Did you know that in a short period of about 3 weeks, a single flea, if not dealt with, can turn into a 1,000 that are attacking your dog?
      1. Left untreated, Fido can develop anemia.
   2. Ringworm, which is a fungal skin infection and highly contagious, causes scaly patches on the skin and/or hair loss.
   3. Hot spots on your dog’s skin are red, inflamed areas are a form of dermatitis caused by an infection.
2. Internal parasites such as heartworms and tapeworms can infect your dog and cause serious problems.
   1. Heartworms can be deadly as they infect the arteries and heart of your best friend. Mosquito larvae are the culprits, as they are transferred onto your dog, and left to grow, they develop into large worms that infest and infect the body. The symptoms that result are lethargy, coughing, depression or colapsing. Unfortunately, these symptoms aren’t usually visible until the disease has progressed.
   2. Tapeworms are carried by fleas and settle in the small intestine. Symptoms include:
      1. Weight loss – even with a good appetite
      2. Poor hair condition
      3. Scooting and excessive licking and itching in the anal area
      4. Diarrhea
      5. Flaky or dry skin
      6. Lethargy
      7. You may notice small white, rice-like objects, either mobile or stationary around the anus
3. Vomiting or diarrhea can be caused by a variety of things:
   1. Vomiting can be brought on by intestinal parasites, kidney failure, poisoning, heatstroke or pancreatitis.
   2. Diarrhea can stem from stress, intestinal parasites, food irritations or parvovirus.
4. Ear Infections are another common health issue brought on by yeast, bacteria, allergies or hair growth in the ear canal. Your dog may exhibit symptoms such as:
   1. Extreme ear scratching
   2. Constant tilting or shaking of the head
   3. Lack of balance
   4. The eyes moving back and forth unnaturally
   5. Redness in the ear canal
   6. Outer ear swelling
   7. Discharge from the ear
5. Obesity is rapidly becoming one of the most common health problems in dogs today. It’s so easy for a dog to become obese, but it’s also the most preventable of all the dog health issues. And though it may not sound as serious as some of the others, it can lead to your dog having orthopedic issues or even heart disease.
6. Kennel Cough is an infectious respiratory disease. Dogs usually catch it and spread it, wherever groups of dog interact with each other, such as dog parks, training classes, and daycare facilities, and it is spread by direct contact (nose to nose), contact with contaminated surfaces or by airborne droplets. Symptoms to watch for are:
   1. The most obvious symptom – a strong cough
   2. Low grade fever
   3. Loss of appetite
   4. Runny nose & sneezing
   5. lethargy

This blog post isn’t intended to help you diagnose any problems your dog may have or develop, but rather to help you know the kinds of symptoms you should be aware of and to help you understand that even common illnesses can become a more serious problem and should not be ignored.

Like I said in the beginning, regular visits to your vet, and keeping vaccinations current can prevent many illnesses. But if you observe your dog behaving differently than you are used to and it doesn’t go away after a day or two, make an appointment with your veterinarian.

At BowWow Fun Towne, we care about your dog’s health, and we pay attention to symptoms that may be out of the ordinary. For all your doggie daycare needs, Contact BowWow Fun Towne, you’ll find plenty of great activity and exercise here to help keep your dog happy.