List of dog diseases is quite impressive. It includes more than 800 names of different diseases and conditions. All of them can be accompanied by various symptoms and signs. However, the disease symptoms of one group can be similar, which facilitates and speeds up the diagnosis greatly.
Some diseases are unique and are found only in dogs and in the species of animals most closely related to them. However, the majority of dog illness are found in other mammals, including in Homo sapiens.
Favorite pet can not tell you that something is bothering him, and this is a problem. A similar problem exists in the diagnosis of diseases in young children, but it is solvable.
In such cases, monitoring of the behavior changes and physical symptom in dogs can help you. They are reliable indicators of the disease. You see your pets every day and notice the changes.
The list of the most frequent signs that your dog has health problems include:
- Red or swollen gums
- Cloudy, red, dry eyes
- Unpleasant odor from the mouth
- Rejection of food for over 24 hours
- Progressive changes in weight
- Excessive thirst and/or urination
- Diarrhea or constipation, which lasts longer than 48 hours
- Labored breathing, sneezing, coughing or panting
- Drowsiness, fatigue, or attitude changes
- Itching, red, or peeling skin
Unfortunately, you can not always be 100% sure that your dog is sick. If a pet has or you think there it has symptoms of a disease, it must be a cause for a call or a visit to the vet.
It is not always easy to see all the disease symptoms in dogs. If only one symptom is identified, for example, diarrhea, it is not possible to diagnose the disease with a high degree of probability.
Therefore, if you notice something unusual, watch your pet. Besides the main symptoms, you need to look for a range of subtle signs, which will help to identify the group of the disease quickly and define the diagnosis, as well.
Upper respiratory infections (URI) often occur in dogs and require timely and targeted therapy. Symptoms of such infections in dogs can be:
- Sneezing
- Coughing
- Blood in diarrhea
- Runny nose or eyes
The URI are easily transmitted from one animal to another. Symptoms of infection in dogs usually appear within 5-10 days after the infection. To treat a URI, anti-bacterial or antiviral agents can be used.
Ticks and other external parasites are fairly common dog problems. Parasites can transmit dangerous battery, for example, genus Borrelia. They are the causative agent of Lyme disease.
Typical symptoms of Lyme disease in dogs are:
- Fever
- Depression
- Loss of appetite
- Swelling and pain in the joints
- Lameness due to pain in the joints
- Weakness and decreased mobility
Symptoms of Lyme disease in dogs do not always appear, even if the pet has been infected for a long time. If the disease is diagnosed, antibiotics are commonly used.
The best way to prevent Lyme disease is to avoid tick bites. There are many pet meds, which prevent tick bites or destroy external parasites.
Cushing’s syndrome is one of the most common and serious endocrine disorders in older dogs. It occurs when the function of the adrenal glands deteriorates and the production of certain hormones increases.
Symptoms of Cushing’s disease in dogs may be:
- Increased appetite
- Overweight or obesity
- Lethargy and weakness
- Urinary incontinence
- Progressive loss of hair
Not all dogs will have the same response to the illness. However, you always can notice the changes in behavior and habits. If you are worried about your dog’s health, immediately contact your veterinarian with the appearance of any symptoms of illness.