Dog illnesses - Facts
Problem Definition:
Most common dog illnesses are mange,
eye infections, bronchitis, canine hepatitis, and worms. There are a host of other less common conditions such as hip dysplasia and leukemia, and other eye conditions such as glaucoma, ectropia and endotropia.
Symptoms:
Fleas can bring on an eczema or irritation that can sometimes be confused with mange. Mange is brought on by a microscopic mite and is manifested by bald and raw spots on the dog's
coat. Glaucoma looks like a cloudy blue film covering the eye. Ectropia is an outward turning of the eyelid and endotropia is an inward turning of the eyelid. Any coughing is a form of bronchitis and other symptoms of bloated or hard stomach can be due to constipation or in more severe cases an intestinal blockage.
Duration of Problem:
For skin conditions, if the problem persists after reasonable efforts using
shampoos or other over the counter remedies, then it is probably more serious than not. The same goes for flu like symptoms that do not seem to clear up and are followed by lethargy or loss of appetite are probably much more serious than a simple cold.
Exposure:
Certain types of skin and eye infections can be transmitted from dog to dog and even to humans.
Dog illnesses - Prevention & Treatment
There are antibiotics specifically designed for canine conditions and only your vet can prescribe these. Never ever use human medications on your dog as they can be killed by these medicines.
The Treatment:
Antibiotic creams for eye infections, prescribed by your doctor will clear up most eye conditions. Oral antibiotics for severe coughing and hacking that does not go away, and skin lotions or creams specifically designed to treat eczema and mange can all be obtained by your vet. For hip and other
joint conditions in older dogs, a cortisone injection may be recommended by your vet to reduce the inflammation.
Prevention:
Keeping your dog's environment
clean and free of feces and doing all of the preventive measures possible for parasites such as fleas and ticks along with regular bathing with a good canine shampoo will prevent many of the common illnesses and diseases that dogs can contract.
Precautions:
Always wash your hands after any kind of treatment and always wear gloves when using flea shampoos or mange treatments.
Helpful Supplies:
A good brush will keep your dogs coat healthy and shiny and will remove loose and dead hair and skin cells that can give rise to skin problems. Also using a good quality of dog
food with a lot of fiber will help to prevent digestive and bowel problems.
Dog illnesses - Concerns
Level of Seriousness:
Don't let things go. The longer a dog illness condition goes untreated, the harder it is to cure.
Lasting Consequences:
Some conditions of the eye can cause permanent blindness if left untreated.
Genetics:
Certain breeds of dogs are more prone to hip and joint problems. It is wise to be aware of this possibility when you first acquire your dog.
Lifestyle Accommodations:
When your dog has a hip or joint problem, purchasing pet
steps to aid in his ability to lay down on the sofa without having to jump would be much appreciated by your dog.
Expense:
Dog illnesses can run into the thousands of dollars, especially if something such as surgery is necessary to correct the condition.
