Illnesses Category
Kennel cough is a widespread respiratory illness among dogs, somewhat on a par with the common cold in humans. Kennel cough is also called tracheobronchitis, so you may hear this term from your veterinarian, or bordetella. It is very contagious. Like the cold, there are various strains of kennel cough and some of them can become quite severe in your dog if they are untreated, even developing into pneumonia. continue reading
Lyme disease in dogs was first recognized in 1985, though it is believed to have existed in wildlife for years. It is caused by a spirochete bacteria called the Borrelia burgdorferi. It is primarily carried by the common deer tick in the Northeastern and upper Midwestern United States. In the western U.S. the Ixodes pacificus tick is the primary carrier. continue reading
Dog urinary tract infections most often occur when the bladder becomes infected with bacteria, but they can also include infections of the kidneys, the ureter, and the urethra. The urinary tract can also be infected by a fungus or virus. Instead of “urinary tract infection” your veterinarian may use the term “UTI” or “bacterial cystitis” which mean the same thing. continue reading
Hypothyroidism in dogs is quite common. The thyroid gland regulates the dog’s metabolism by means of thyroid hormones. When it doesn’t produce enough hormones the dog suffers from hypothyroidism. This leads to weight gain, loss of hair, and skin problems. Hypothyroidism is easily diagnosed with a blood test. In most cases the condition can be controlled with inexpensive thyroid medication. continue reading
Canine distemper is a very serious disease and it can spread very quickly, especially in kennels, animal shelters, and places where there are large numbers of dogs. This is especially true if the dogs have not been vaccinated. continue reading
Upset stomach in dogs in a general term that can result from many different causes. Due to the fact that dogs have a reputation for chewing on things and eating lots of different foods, trash, and even non-food items, many owners assume that dogs have a “cast iron” stomach and can eat anything without getting sick. Unfortunately, this isn’t true. continue reading
Gastroenteritis in dogs, or hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, has symptoms which include sudden vomiting and bloody diarrhea. It is sometimes mistaken for canine parvovirus and tests may be needed to differentiate the two diseases. Gastroenteritis may be deadly if it is not treated promptly. Gastroenteritis, or HGE, is usually found in young adult dogs and can appear in any breed. It is most common in small dogs such as Toy Poodles and Mini Schnauzers. continue reading
Parvo, or canine parvovirus (CPV), is the most common infectious disease of dogs in the United States, and it kills about 50 percent of the puppies that contract it. It’s very important to be able to recognize dog parvo symptoms when you see them. continue reading
Neurological disorders in dogs can be hard on both a dog and on an owner. A dog may be frightened by the changes he’s experiencing and an owner may not know how to care for his dog. That’s why it’s so important for an owner to be able to recognize the symptoms of a neurological disorder as early as possible in order to get help for your dog. continue reading
Mast cell tumors in dogs are often quite deceptive in appearance. They sometimes appear on the dog’s skin and may look small and unimportant but they can be a serious form of cancer. In fact, mast cell tumors make up about 20 percent of all skin tumors found in dogs. continue reading
