Top Dog Diseases

Following is a list of the top diseases experienced in dogs. Many are easily prevented with immunizations.
Those that don't have preventive shots can often be avoided with proper care. Make sure your dog is up-to-
date on all shots and make it a point to know the causes of these disorders in order to give him the best
possible care.

Distemper:

Distemper is fatal in 80% of puppies and 50% of adults. All dogs are extremely vulnerable, and should be
vaccinated, with subsequent boosters in keeping the recommendation of a Veterinarian.

Parvovirus (Parvo):

Parvo is extremely contagious, especially among puppies, and can lead to death within 48 to 72 hours after
exposure. Symptoms include depression, loss of appetite, vomiting and severe diarrhea

Rabies:

Rabies is a virus and becomes fatal when symptoms appear. Because rabies can be fatal to humans and
other mammals, state and local laws uniformly require rabies vaccination, many mandating booster shots
yearly.

Kennel Cough:

This is a respiratory disease especially prevalent in kennels and shelters. Symptoms can include a dry
hacking cough along with inflammation of the larynx, bronchial tubes and trachea. Vaccination, as often as
every six months is recommended.

Leptospirosis:

Symptoms of Leptospirosis include lethargy, kidney inflammation, low-grade fever, vomiting, reddening of
the mucous membranes and conjunctiva, and blood clotting abnormalities.
Infectious canine hepatitis:

Lyme Disease:

Symptoms of Lyme Disease in dogs will include lethargy, joint pain, lack of appetite, lymph node
enlargement, and fever.

Coronavirus:

Diarrhea and vomiting are symptomatic of this dog disease so it can be confused with parvovirus. Other
indications are loss of appetite, smelly diarrhea, lethargy and dehydration.


Heartworm:

Heartworms are parasites that grow and multiply, infesting the chambers in the heart, arteries in the lungs.
Symptoms appear gradually, usually manifested in easy tiring, lethargy and a soft cough. If not treated, it
eventually brings on death by congestive heart failure in a once active animal