How To Train A Dog

If you own a dog there are a some dog diseases and symptoms that you need to know about. The ones vets see most often. Some of these are ringworm, mange, arthritis, kennel cough, parvovirus and heartworm. Knowing your pet and keeping them up to date on vaccinations will help keep most diseases away.

Kennel cough is known to be the most common respiratory disease found in dogs. It is highly contagious among dogs and contaminated objects used by the dogs. Millions of dogs are infected by this disease every year. The dog will have a dry cough as well as nasal discharge. It can last from 7 to 21 days.

Parvovirus is an extremely deadly disease. This is a case of an ounce of prevention can lead to a pound of cure. It is preventable if your dog has all necessary vaccinations. Dogs get it from fecal matter on the ground. The virus can live in the feces for several months before it is contracted. The symptoms which are severe diarrhea, vomiting and decreased appetite will show within hours. This dehydrates the system causing death in less than 3 days. It can be reversed but the pet would need to get to the vet without delay.

Mange is quite common in puppies and is usually easy to to correct. It can also occur in older dogs on the paws. It is contagious between dogs as well as their owners. There are two types one easily identifiable by the vet the other is more characterized by the dog consistently scratching at their ears. Both are due to a mite that burrows into the skin. The fur will thin and the skin will redden and flake. If it progresses the dog can hurt themselves because the itching is unbearable. Depending on which type of mange it is treatment can take 3 weeks to 3 months.

As your dog gets older it is possible for the joints to become stiff with arthritis. This can also be quite painful as well. There is medicine to help with the condition to give your pet more mobility and comfort. A change in diet and exercise can help as well. Once it starts it does not go away so it will need to be managed for the rest of their lives.

Heartworm is contracted through mosquito bites. The worm is a parasite which grows and multiplies quickly. This is a preventable disease through vaccination. Once it is contracted it can not be cured, only managed. It causes infection in the heart and arteries in the lungs.

Another common disease is ringworm. This is a fungal infection affecting the skin that results in the loss of fur and scaling of the skin. The spores from the ringworm can live for 18 months. There is medication to easily treat it.

To make sure your pet stays healthy it is a good idea to be thoroughly educated about the breed of your dog. Know what is normal for your type of dog. Observe your pet, get to know their behavior. Get them to all their needed vet appointments and vaccinations. Ask the vet lots of questions about what to look out for with your pet. Lack of proper dental hygiene is more serious for some breeds than others. Of the dog diseases and symptoms above there are hundreds more. Any suspicions you have should be discussed with the vet as soon as possible, with some diseases a couple of days is too long to wait.

Keep that dog health good and your pet will live for years. Look up the many dog diseases and symptoms to make sure your pet is healthy. Head online today and learn more.