Friday, September 16, 2011

Common Ailments Of Dogs

Our favorite pets are mostly dogs and if they are in good health, dogs are a source of joy to us. They are always playful or frisky and excited when they see us. However, there sometimes comes a time when these dogs are in a differently quiet mood. One cause for this is often due to the health condition of the dog. It is important for us to be sensitive to the condition of our dog, especially if he is suffering from an ailment. It is also useful as a dog owner to identify the common ailments of dogs, which are often viral in nature. Below are just some of the common dog ailments to guide you when you notice your dog is not acting his normal state:

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1. Heartworm- Heartworm infestation is a dog ailment of parasitic worms transmitted by mosquitoes. The worms in live the chambers of the dog's heart. This infection needs strong drugs and may even require hospitalization if the chance of survival for the dog looks impossible. To prevent heartworm infection, have an annual blood test for your dog. The preventive medication for this is ivermectin.

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2. Canine distemper- This is an incurable canine ailment which requires an expensive treatment. If a dog survives this ailment, the setback to it is a permanent or lifelong neurological damage. Symptoms of canine distemper are diarrhea, coughing, and mucosal discharge from the nose and eyes. In the last or final stage of the ailment, seizures occur.

3. Parvovirus- This is an illness caused by a virus and is extremely dangerous to puppies. It attacks the digestive tract and its severe symptoms can be too difficult for puppies. Symptoms include vomit that looks like frothy, decreased appetite, gelatin-like stool that may become bloody, malaise, massive fluid loss, and fever of the dog. Treatment includes increasing fluid intake and antibiotic. Parvovirus is an ailment that is preventable by vaccine.

4. Bloat- This is also called gastric dilatation - volvulus and often due to overeating. Two effects of this is gastric volvulus wherein the stomach is twisted and gas cannot get out. In gastric dilatation, the stomach is full of gas and this gas stays disturbingly and painfully in the stomach. This digestive tract ailment is extremely dangerous if not treated within one to two hours. Symptoms include drooling saliva and a distended abdomen that sounds like a drum when tapped.

These ailments show primary symptoms which are reasons enough to bring your dog to a vet once these are visible in your dog.

Common Ailments Of Dogs

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