Sometimes, our pets exhibit behaviors or symptoms that cause us to worry. It is very important to keep our pets healthy through a good diet, exercise, socializing, and even taking natural supplements from Vital Pet Life.
As much as we take care of our pets, it is always possible that they will contract a disease from somewhere and we don’t know what could be wrong with them. Thankfully we have a general idea of the common illnesses for dogs and what to look out for.
Canine Distemper
Distemper is caused by a very contagious virus, so your pets can contract this when playing with an infected dog. Typically the symptoms of distemper are runny eyes, snotty nose, coughing, vomiting, fever, diarrhea, seizures, or even paralysis. Unfortunately, distemper is a fatal disease. You can prevent this by getting your dog vaccinated against distemper so you don’t have to worry about the risks when they play with other dogs.
Parasites
Unfortunately, external parasites are very common for pets that spend a lot of time outdoors. Ticks and fleas often come from the environment while mange can come from other dogs. Usually these are not life-threatening, but your dogs could still be in pain and lose some nutrients if there are many parasites. Sometimes, ticks and fleas can transmit other diseases so it’s definitely best to effectively prevent the parasites. Consult with your veterinarian for their recommended preventive products for your dog.
Heartworm
Heartworms are spread by mosquitoes. The cases of heartworm infections among dogs can range from wild to deadly. Common symptoms are coughing, lethargy, difficulty breathing, heart enlargement, and fainting. Thankfully, you can get an annual heartworm vaccine for your dog so they will not be infected by a heartworm.
Heat Strokes
Heat Strokes are common during summer and hot days. If you are feeling warm, keep in mind that your dog is probably feeling warmer than you are. Dogs are often active so coupled with the heat, there is a risk for heat stroke. Make sure to never leave your dog in a car or under the sun for too long. Watch out for excessive panting, slow walking, tiredness, drooling, or even fainting. You can prevent this by keeping your dog’s exposure to hot days on a minimum, keeping them well-hydrated, and even wrapping them in cold wet towels every few hours.
Ringworm
Ringworms are actually due to fungal skin infections when your dog, their clothes, or their bed comes in contact with an infected dog. The ringworm fungi can also survive in soil so if your dog plays too long and comes in contact with the fungi, they will contract this disease. You can tell if your dog possibly has ringworm if they have circular patches of balding or hair loss on their body. Most dogs will scratch and lick the areas so you might need to get medication so the wound can heal.
Be a responsible pet owner and always look out for what’s best for your pet! Regular check-ups and a healthy lifestyle will promote a long life for your dog and keep them very happy.
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