There are a number of serious and fatal canine diseases, and as a dog owner, you should always seek proper treatment. There are many ailments that can make your dog feel sick and require medical attention. These can be caused by bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi. Luckily, now there are a number of preventive treatments available for many common canine diseases, as well as a number of products on the market that make caring for your sick pet easier.
One of the most common canine diseases is heartworm disease. Heartworms are worms that can grow up to six to ten inches long, and they can live in the heart of dogs, cats, and many other animals. Heartworms are transmitted by mosquito bites, and if left alone, your dog could die from this disease. Once the dog is diagnosed, oral medications may be given to speed the removal of the worms from the dog's body. However, the key to dealing with heartworms is prevention.
Preventive medications are available in the form of oral medications as well as topical treatments that sink into the skin.
Two other common canine diseases are distemper and canine parvovirus. Both of these diseases are caused by viruses, and even if the dog does not die, each can cause irreparable damage to a sick dog's body. Canine parvovirus prevention includes keeping your dog away from the feces of other dogs, especially during the first six months of life. However, in both cases, vaccination is the best course to prevent these common canine diseases.
Another family of canine diseases is transmitted by ticks. These include diseases such as Lyme Disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF). It is possible for your dog to die from these diseases, and treatment consists of a series of oral medications. However, again prevention is the key. This includes keeping your dog out of tick infested areas, and making sure your dog wears a tick collar or is treated with an effective spray.
There are, of course, many other canine diseases, and you should always consult your veterinarian to seek proper treatment. In some cases, your dog may require prescription medication, but there are also a number of treatments available without a prescription. For example, vitamins, dewormers (for roundworms, hookworms, and tapeworms), diet supplements, and canine aspirin are medications that can be purchased without a prescription. 
Additionally, in recent years there are a number of handy products that can help you care for your pet and dispense medication. There are now meat flavored pill pockets to tuck the medicine in, as well as tablet crushers, and pill dispensers. All of these are aimed at making the task of giving your dog medicine easier.
Remember, your veterinarian is always there for your pet during times of illness, but the bulk of the responsibility falls on you as the owner. Treatments have come a long way, and there are a lot of great products available on the market, but you should always do all you can to prevent your dog from getting those canine diseases in the first place.
