Dog diseases to watch for

Distemper

A dog with distemper will have a fever spike of 103-105 degrees. A second spike may occur with loss of appetite, listlessness, watery discharge from eyes and nose and a dry cough may accompany these symptoms. The dog will have seizures and may have hard pads on its feet.  It is a very serious condition.

Hepatitis
This condition effects the liver, kidney and the lining of blood vessels. Dogs with hepatitis may have a fever and won't eat. There may also be passing of blood or he may vomit blood. The dog's belly may be tucked up and there is a swelling of the liver. The eyes may be sensitive to light; there may be bleeding gums, jaundice and/or "blue" eyes (cloudy cornea).

Rabies
There are two types of rabies - Vicious and Paralytic. Animals with vicious rabies will act boldly and attack. Those with paralytic rabies have trouble with muscle coordination, will have excessive drooling and act "dumb." The law requires owners to have dogs vaccinated for rabies and it should be done when the dog is  12 -24 weeks old.

Parvo Virus
This is a common condition that might be found in puppies from 6 - 20 weeks old. Symptoms include profuse diarrhea with mucous or blood, depression and/or lethargy, vomiting and a "tucked-up" abdomen. Dehydration develops very quickly so seek medical attention immediately. Untreated Parvo Virus results in a sloughing off of the intestinal lining.

Corona Virus
The signs of Corona Virus may be varied. There may be acute diarrhea or no signs of diarrhea. Diarrhea often times is yellow/orange in color and is foul smelling. Dogs will display a loss of appetite, depression and vomiting. Dehydration is also common.

Leptospirosis
Dogs can pick this up from drinking water from puddles and streams. If left untreated it causes liver and kidney damage. Severe jaundice is usually present and fever, lethargy, depression, muscle pain, diarrhea and blood in the urine can also accompany it. If the virus gets into the blood stream it will cause the kidneys to swell and shut down. People can also be affected by this disease.

Lyme Disease
Dogs get this by being bitten by a deer tick. Symptoms include a sudden onset of lameness, and swollen joints that are painful to the touch. If left untreated Lyme disease can affect everything including the heart, limbs, etc.

Ringworm
Ringworm is recognized by a scaly, crusty circular patch. Dogs tend to lick and scratch at the infection site. The patch is identifiable from the red circular rind and hair loss surrounding the area. Humans can also be affected by ringworm.

If you're not sure if your dog is sick, but he or she doesn't seem or act "right," err on the side of caution and make an appointment with your vetrinarian.  Your intuition may save your pet's life. 

Save your pet's life: bloat

Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus - commonly known as Bloat

Bloat is a life-threatening condition and requires immediate veterinary assistance for proper diagnosis and treatment. If not treated immediately it can quickly take your dog's life.

This ailment is commonly seen in deep-chested breeds, such as Basset Hounds, Doberman Pinschers, and Great Danes. It is caused by an intake of gasses and fluids that aren't released. It often happens by eating too quickly, gulping water, and/or strenuous exercise after a meal.

Gasses and excess fluid trapped in the stomach expand, causing a distention (bloat) of the stomach, which is readily visible from the appearance of the dog. The distention of the stomach causes it to flip possibly a full 360 degrees and the spleen may rotate. Symptoms may include:

• Restlessness
• Distended abdomen
• Glassy eyes
• Unproductive retching/dry heaves
• Excessive panting
• Salivating
• Arrythmia
• Pale gums and mucous membranes

If you notice any of these symptoms in your pet, take him to the vet immediately. Even after surgically releasing the gasses, the dog may need to undergo extensive surgical therapy to return the stomach to it's original position as well as treatment of shock symptoms. Many dogs never fully recover, and may die of complications stemming from bloat. Ongoing therapy is often needed.

In order to prevent bloat from happening, feed your pet smaller meals, broken up over the course of the day particularly if you have a large, barrel-chested breed like those mentioned above. Avoid exercising your dog immediately after eating and limit water after exercise to avoid gulping.

Once bloat happens, it is common that it may happen again. Owners of deep-chested breeds that have a history of bloat may consider having the stomach stapled to abdominal muscles to prevent future problems. This preventative step should only be taken under the advisory of one or more veterinarians.