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What Dog Diseases Are Deadly?

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Jacquelyn Kennedy
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Dogs are our furry friends and much more than just pets – basically, they are family!

Most of us try our best to take care of our pets, like other family members. However, the only place we lack most time is understanding the problems they might face.

Deadly dog diseases and how you can help

Humans can communicate unless they are babies or toddlers, so it is easy to understand their physical difficulties.

When it comes to dogs, we tend not to know why they might feel low.

Here, we will help you know about all the deadly dog diseases you must be aware of.

Deadly Diseases in Dogs

It is indispensable to talk to doctors and schedule a regular veterinary check-ups for pets. This step can save you from a lot of damage control!

Some of the prominent diseases that can affect your furry friend are:

1. Ear infections

Ear infections are one of the most common canine health problems. Although their leading cause is an allergy, ear infections can also be caused by bacteria, yeast or ear mites around the ear canal.

Some of the prominent symptoms of ear infections in dogs include the following:

  • Hot ears
  • Odor from ear
  • Ear scratching
  • Head tilting
  • Back and forth eye movements
  • Redness in the ear canal
  • Yellow, brown, or bloody discharge

If you notice any of these symptoms of canine health problems in your dog, you should prefer consulting the vet.

Ear infection in dogs as a disease

If this is not treated in time, it can cause severe infection around the ear and may eventually require surgery.

2. Parvovirus

All the puppies are given a parvo vaccine at a very young age to avoid the risk of parvovirus infecting them.

The vaccination is provided to protect your dogs from potential cardiac and intestinal diseases.

Puppies kept in kennels, or breeding shelters can come in contact with infected dogs.

A lot of dogs are prone to parvovirus due to infection from the dog’s poop. Some of the prominent symptoms of the dog being affected by parvovirus are:

  • Diarrhea
  • Weight loss
  • Lethargy
  • Vomiting

Dogs who have a habit of eating poop can be especially prone to these infections.

The dogs are also prone to immune system and intestinal diseases.

However, if the condition isn’t treated in time, it can lead to septic shock, ultimately leading to death.

Although parvo is prescribed by supportive care, it can prove expensive. If you give canine vaccination on time, your dog might not have this condition at all.

3. Worms

Dogs are very prone to different types of worms, such as roundworms, hookworms, and tapeworms.

Thus, they result in one of the most common canine health problems. Worm infection can easily affect dogs, making them highly uncomfortable.

Symptoms of worm infestation in dogs are:

  • Diarrhea (might include blood vomiting)
  • Weight loss
  • Rough, dry coat
  • Scooting the bottom
  • Vomiting

All these symptoms deteriorate the appearance of the dog as well. If your dog is infested with worms, you need to take it to a vet immediately.

Dog worms

The treatment will only be considered depending on the type of infection they are affected by.

The doctor may give oral medication or injections, depending on your dog’s condition.

4. Renal Failure

Renal failure is often observed in older dogs, which is the most common canine health problem.

Nonetheless, kidney diseases can also occur in younger dogs depending on the medications.

Kidney failure is common in dogs, but sometimes it can get chronic and not be preventable.

Another primary reason for renal failure may be dental diseases.

You need to consider it essential else the infection can enter the bloodstream, damaging different dogs’ organs.

As a result, you should prefer cleaning their teeth regularly. You should provide them with clean chew toys and also ask the vet for plaque cleanup.

Various common reasons may also cause renal failures, such as poisoning, infection, and medications.

The symptoms may vary. If you notice any such problems, you should prefer to take your dog to a reliable vet.

5. Fleas

A lot of medications, sprays, and powders are available in the market that can help to treat insects.

A small infestation can lead to thousands of bugs affecting canine health.

Often dog owners find it tough to detect fleas in dogs due to their thick fur.

Adult golden retriever scratching fleas

However, the visible symptoms can make it easy for you to identify the insects. Some of the prominent signs of fleas in dogs include:

  • Hot spots
  • Hair loss
  • Tapeworms
  • Flea dirt usually appears as small dots on your dog’s skin
  • Scratching and licking

Fleas make your dog feel incredibly uncomfortable.

Moreover, these can be the rising cause of allergic reactions. Sometimes, they can also lead to anemia in dogs.

Final Thoughts on Dog Diseases

Various diseases can affect your dogs. You should keep a check on your dog for all the probable symptoms, from general appearance changes to behavioral ones, like seeing their tail staying down by their legs.

Also, you can prevent most of these diseases if you take proper care of them.

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About the author

Jacquelyn Kennedy

PetDT was founded by Jacquelyn Kennedy, a dog lover and pet admirer. She built the website to provide pet owners with information, experiences, and opinions on breeds, temperament, personalities, health, nutrition, products, and care.