Common Dog Diseases and How to Treat Them
As dog parents, we all want our furry companions to lead long, happy lives with plenty of tail wags—and as few health issues as possible. But our pups can face all sorts of health problems. The good news is that understanding the most common dog diseases, and how to recognize dog illness symptoms can help keep your pet safe.
The team at PetSmart Veterinary Services – Alpharetta has some dog health tips to help you know what to watch for. Here are three of the most common canine diseases—and what you can do about them.
3 Dog Diseases You Should Know About
1. Parvovirus
Parvovirus is one of the most dangerous dog diseases, especially for puppies. This highly contagious virus can cause severe vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy, and without immediate treatment, it can be fatal.
Parvovirus attacks your dog’s gastrointestinal system, and it can quickly lead to dehydration and shock. Many parvo-infected pups need intensive supportive care such as IV fluids, and anti-nausea medication. They often also require antibiotics to help prevent secondary infections.
The great news?
You can avoid parvovirus with the DA2PP (or DHPP) vaccine! This combination vaccine protects against parvovirus, distemper, adenovirus (hepatitis), and parainfluenza.
It’s often given as part of a puppy’s core dog vaccination schedule, beginning at 6-8 weeks of age and continuing with booster shots until about 16-20 weeks. Make sure your adult dog gets a booster every 1-3 years to maintain immunity.
2. Kennel Cough
Kennel cough—canine infectious tracheobronchitis—is a highly contagious respiratory infection. It spreads easily among dogs, especially in places like kennels, dog parks, grooming facilities, or shelters. Main symptoms can include:
- Dry, hacking cough
- Sneezing
- Nasal discharge
- Mild lethargy
- Loss of appetite
Thankfully, most cases of kennel cough are mild. But puppies, older dogs, or canines with weakened immune systems might need antibiotics and medical care to fully recover. Vaccination is important in preventing both bacterial and viral cases of kennel cough, so talk to your vet about protective measures. Especially if your pet spends lots of time with other pups!
3. Heartworm Disease
Heartworm disease is one of the most serious and life-threatening canine diseases around. It’s caused by parasitic worms (Dirofilaria immitis). These worms are transmitted to dogs through mosquito bites.
Once inside the dog’s body, they migrate to the heart, lungs, and associated blood vessels—and wreak havoc there. They grow and reproduce, which causes severe damage to the dog’s cardiovascular and respiratory systems. Dogs infected with heartworms may show these symptoms:
- Persistent coughing
- Lethargy
- Unwillingness to exercise
- Weight loss
- Heart failure
Without treatment, heartworm can be fatal. But it’s expensive, complicated, and risky to treat, so your best bet is prevention.
The best way to prevent heartworm disease is through regular dog parasite prevention treatments. Your pup can take these medications in the form of a chewable tablet or topical solution. They work by killing larvae before they mature into adult heartworms.
Veterinary-approved heartworm preventives are highly effective when given as recommended. A lot of heartworm preventives also protect fleas, ticks, and intestinal worms. Why not take that extra range of protection?
In addition to veterinarian-prescribed preventives, your pup should get tested for heartworm annually. This helps your veterinarian make sure there’s no current infection—and jump on a treatment plan right away if there is.
It’s All About Dog Disease Prevention
An annual or bi-annual visit to your veterinarian can help prevent dog diseases from compromising your pet’s health. Ready to get your pup checked out?
Bring Fido in to see our caring veterinary team at PetSmart Veterinary Services Alpharetta. We can check your pup from nose to tail and help avoid—or navigate—any health problems in your dog as she ages. Call us at (770) 759-0692 to learn more.