Dog Disease and Illness

Similar to that of humans, a primary cause of mortality in dogs is heart disease. With a number of different heart diseases commonly found in dogs, on top of a number of possible contributing factors, severe heart trauma is relatively common. However, that does not mean we should think of canine heart attacks as identical to human myocardial infarctions. Instead, canine heart attack often manifests in different ways. In a human heart attack, the flow of blood is interrupted suddenly, blocking blood flow to a certain segment of the heart, killing heart cells. While similar trauma can happen in a dog, canine "heart attacks" often take very different paths. read more

Taking care of a new puppy presents many challenges, such as house training and discipline. One of the challenges you may not have thought about is keeping your puppy properly hydrated. Dehydration can quickly go from a discomfort to a serious problem. There are a few signs and symptoms to watch out for when your puppy is dehydrated. read more

Heartgard is the brand name of the anti-parasitic medication ivermectin made by Merial. There is also a version called Heartgard Plus, which is a combination of ivermectin and pyrantel. These chewable tablets are given as a preventative to heartworms. According to Merial, they should be given once a month every month, but only if the dog is free of adult heartworms. read more

Around two weeks of age, a puppy begins to get his baby teeth; by the time he is 12 weeks old, he will have all of them. Not long after the last baby teeth are in, the puppy will begin to lose them and new, permanent teeth will take their place. As the new teeth come in, the puppy might experience redness, swelling and irritation. You can take steps to alleviate his pain and reduce the risk of your puppy chewing up valuable items while he's teething. read more

Puppies and young adult dogs are more likely to contract ringworm than are older adult dogs, according to the "Dog Owners Home Veterinary Handbook." Caused by the microsporum canis fungus, ringworm is highly contagious and it may spread from dog to dog or from dog to human through its spores. A puppy's hair and hair follicles are the primary targets of a ringworm infection and the signs and symptoms are easily identifiable. read more

Puppies should be checked every day not only for injury and signs of illness, but also to help them get used to being handled. One alarming sign of illness is bald patches or sudden loss of clumps of hair. As they get older, short-haired puppies tend to normally get thinner hair around the belly. Other than that, hair loss can note a health problem that needs immediate attention. read more

Often, motion sickness in puppies is caused by their nervousness rather than by the motion of the car itself. Because it's more about your puppy's emotional state than about the fact that they're in a moving vehicle, motion sickness can be overcome with patient and supportive training. Tackle motion sickness with the idea of comforting your puppy, and you should have a lifelong traveling companion in a few weeks. read more

Ringworm is quite common fungal infection in puppies, causing round spots on any area of their bodies. Knowing what to look for and the cause of the infection in puppies can help owners more readily identify the condition and seek treatment. read more

Heartworm is an infection that affects a large number of dogs every year. Unfortunately, this is an infection that can kill a dog if it is not treated quickly. Luckily, with proper preventative treatments, dogs will never have to suffer through the painful stages of this infection. read more

Kennel cough is a common illness in dogs and puppies, especially those raised in large shelters, amid many other dogs. Although kennel cough is not a life-threatening illness for your new puppy, it does make the dog feel very uncomfortable and can affect its overall demeanor and activity level. The sooner the cough is treated, the sooner the new puppy will be a happy and lively addition to your home. read more

Breathing problems in puppies are quite common, though they occur for many different reasons. While some breathing problems are passing or due to the breed of the dog, some problems are more serious and need immediate treatment. Knowing what to look for can help pet owners identify breathing problems early on so treatment can be sought if necessary. read more

There are many types of eye diseases or conditions that dogs can suffer from. Unfortunately, there isn't a breed of dog that is immune from eye diseases and conditions and that is why all owners must be aware the significance of these conditions. read more

Prevention is the best remedy for dog flatulence. All dogs experience gas at some point and it's a fairly normal condition. When your dog is constantly breaking wind (which is annoying as well as embarrassing), take the time to look at the most common underlying causes of dog gas. read more

Dogs are susceptible to diseases carried by ticks. Such ailments are hard to diagnose for the average pet owner, making it a priority to get the canine to a veterinarian once it begins to display symptoms of these tick-borne diseases. It is often difficult at best to find where a tick may have bitten a dog and passed on a disease and in many cases the disease will not manifest its symptoms for some time after the initial bite. read more

Scabies, also known as sarcoptic mange, is a skin disease that can affect dogs. It is caused by mites that live just below the surface of the dog's skin. It is fairly common in puppies between the ages of 3 months and 1 year, but is also found in older dogs as well. If your dog exhibits any of the following symptoms, you should visit your vet for a diagnosis and for the appropriate treatment, which may be in the form of either topical or internal medications. read more

Although constipation isn't altogether common in dogs, it does happen, and it is important to recognize the signs if your puppy becomes constipated. If a puppy is unable to have normal bowel movements, you need to take steps to help the puppy. The things to look for are straining to go to the bathroom but not really having success, or having small, hard and dry bowel movements at very irregular periods. read more

Mites are insects that live on your dog. Microscopic members of the arachnid family, mites burrow under your dog's skin and lay their eggs. In small quantities, your dog won't even notice they are there. However, when the population begins to grow, the result can be inflamed, reddened patches of skin and incessant scratching. In the case of ear mites, a noticeable odor may come from the dog's ears, while the ear canals appear red and irritated. read more

Parvo is the abbreviated term for Canine Parvovirus. The disease caused by this virus is much more common in puppies than in adult dogs because it thrives on the developing cells of the growing pup. The virus tends to congregate in the dog's intestinal tract, leading to digestive upset and inhibiting the production of infection fighting white blood cells. It is the most widespread lethal viral infection among domestic dogs. It can even lead to heart failure. It is worth noting, the parvovirus is completely avoidable with the application of a simple vaccine. read more

Clavamox is an oral antibiotic that is made up of amoxicillin and Clavulanic acid, and is used to treat infections caused by bacteria. It can be taken in pill or liquid form, but it must be prescribed by a veterinarian. As with most antibiotics, there are some side effects that may occur. read more