7 of the Most Common Dog Disease

Your furry best friend cannot tell you when it is feeling under the weather. Instead, dogs rely on you to notice the signs that they may be in need of veterinarian attention.

Sometimes, a dog’s symptoms — such as diarrhea or vomiting — are obvious. Other times, the indications that dogs are sick may be more subtle. You may, for example, notice that they are urinating a little more frequently or that they are resting in an odd position.

The following are seven common illnesses that can affect your small dog, as well as some of the symptoms your pet could be exhibiting. If you suspect that your pup has one of these diseases, take it to see a veterinarian as soon as possible so that it can receive proper treatment.

Parvovirus

Unfortunately, Parvovirus is a highly contagious and deadly viral disease. In fact, when this gastrointestinal illness is not treated, it has a mortality rate of more than 90%. Dogs younger than six months and that have not been vaccinated against this disease are at the highest risk for contracting parvo.

Symptoms

• Bloody diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Fever
• Weakness

Treatment

Because dogs with Parvo can get dehydrated from the vomiting and severe diarrhea that accompany this disease, they may require treatment with intravenous fluids.

In addition, the vet may prescribe anti-nausea medications as well as antibiotics to treat any secondary bacterial infections.

Pancreatitis

This condition occurs when a dog’s pancreas becomes inflamed. Although the cause is not known, pancreatitis attacks often occur after a dog has eaten a fatty meal. Pancreatitis is a painful condition that can sometimes be fatal without treatment. Some small breeds — including schnauzers, Yorkshire terriers and wire fox terriers — seem to be especially prone to this illness.

Symptoms

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Lethargy
• Abdominal pain (your dog may lie down with its rear end in the air and its front legs and head on the ground)

Treatment

Your vet can perform a blood test to determine if your dog has pancreatitis. Because dogs with pancreatitis can get dehydrated from vomiting or diarrhea, they often require intravenous fluids. Once your pet is well enough to go home, it will be placed on a strict, low-fat diet to prevent attacks.

Canine Influenza

Did you know that like humans, dogs can get the flu? It’s true. Dogs have their version of influenza, which is highly contagious to other canines.

Canine influenza can be spread through coughing and barking as well as through ms contaminated with the virus. Humans who have come in contact with an infected canine can also pass the virus onto other dogs. So far, though, there has been no known transmission of the virus from dogs to humans.

Symptoms

• Coughing
• Discharge from the nose
• Fever
• Lethargy
• Trouble breathing

Treatment

Dogs with the flu should be isolated from other canines and kept as comfortable as possible during their recovery period. If your dog is running a high fever, your vet may prescribe an anti-inflammatory medication.

Giardia

If you have ever experienced a bout of Montezuma’s revenge or traveler’s diarrhea, then you are probably all too familiar with the microscopic protozoan giardia.

These one-celled parasites can be found in water, grass or soil that has been contaminated by the feces of an infected animal. If your dog has giardia, it may have ingested the parasite by drinking out of a contaminated creek or other body of water.

It can also get giardia by licking a body part that came in contact with contaminated soil.

Symptoms

• Vomiting
• Chronic intermittent diarrhea, sometimes bloody or frothy or with a foul odor
• Abdominal discomfort
• Gas

Treatment

Dogs who have tested positive for giardia will typically be given a drug such as fenbendazole or metronidazole. Your vet will want to follow up with your pet after several weeks to ensure that it is no longer infected with the parasite. You should also wash your dog, especially around its hind quarters, to rid its coat of any infectious giardia cysts.

Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a disease of a canine’s heart muscle that results in an enlarged heart. Normally, this condition is seen in large dog breeds. Recently, veterinarians around the world have begun noticing a sharp rise in DCM cases in small breeds.

Although researchers are still trying to determine the cause, some suspect that this disease may be linked to the grain-free diet that many owners are feeding their dogs. However, the Food and Drug Administration has not yet recommended that owners stop feeding their pets grain-free dog food.

Symptoms

• Exercise intolerance
• Rapid breathing while your dog is resting or sleeping
• Coughing
• Distended stomach

Treatment

This is a serious condition that may need to be treated with several medications, including a diuretic and vasodilators.

Leptospirosis

Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that can be spread to your dog through the urine of infected animals, including rats and wildlife. One of the main ways that canines can contract this disease is by drinking standing water — such as in a pond or a puddle — that has been contaminated with the bacteria. Although some dogs may never exhibit any symptoms, others can become seriously ill. Because this illness infects a dog’s kidneys, some canines can be left with permanent damage to these organs.

Symptoms

• Fever

• Vomiting

• Increased thirst

• More frequent urination

• Organ failure

Treatment

Your veterinarian will typically prescribe antibiotics to treat leptospirosis. Your pet may require additional care for leptospirosis-associated issues, such as kidney damage.