Common Dog Diseases & Tips for Preventing Them
Part of caring for your dog involves his health. All dogs get sick at some point in their lives. But, there are preventive measures that you can take to protect his health from the time he is a puppy. Here are a few of the more common dog conditions and how to prevent or combat them.
When talking about dogs you may have heard the word “distemper”. Distemper is a condition common to dogs. It can cause damage to the lungs or the brain and spinal cord similar to the human polio virus. Distemper shots are recommended for puppies as a preventative measure against the disease.
Rabies is a common disease that is also deadly to human beings. Rabies results in death for any animal infected with it. The disease is passed through saliva of an infected animal. One animal bites another and the disease is contracted.
The sign of the disease that most people are familiar with is foaming around the mouth. If rabies is suspected, have your dog checked out immediately. Dogs should be vaccinated as pups. Booster shots are recommended every few years to keep up immunity.
Leptospirosis is one of those conditions that can be passed from animal to people. Before you smother too many kisses on your puppy, protect him from the disease particularly if he is an outdoor dog. The disease can be acquired from infected wild animals like opossums and raccoons. Vaccinations are available so protect your dog and yourself.
Dogs are susceptible to worm infestations. It’s disgusting yes, so imagine how your dog will feel if he has them. Your veterinarian can recommend medications and other measures to guard against worms.
Heartworms can be introduced to your dog through a mosquito bite. Outdoor dogs need to be especially careful. Dogs can be given tablets once a month to guard against heartworm infestations. They can be added to his food bowl so that you don’t have to fight to get him to take it. If your dog already has heartworms, seek medical attention right away to save his life.
Regularly examine your dog’s stool. Worms can show up there. Diarrhea may be a sign that something is wrong with your dog. Starting worming medications from your vet as soon as puppy is old enough can keep you from having to sift through doggie doo for the nasty parasites.
Dogs get sick too. Just like people, there are things that you can do to prevent certain diseases from coming to pass. Ask your veterinarian about prophylactic pet care now to avoid costly medical care later.
Originally posted 2008-12-08 21:42:46. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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