7 Common Bacterial and Viral Diseases in Dogs
Pets are like kids and Dogs are like your own kids. They play, eat, drink, and sometimes get ill. It is important to know what the common diseases in your dogs are and how to treat them. To treat the disease you have to know what symptom(s) you are looking for.
Dogs can pick diseases from parks, shelters, other animals, etc. Some disease show symptoms right after your dog get them while others take some time. Some diseases are deadly and some are mild.
Here are some common diseases in dogs. Their symptoms, treatment, and preventive measures to prevent any loss. (Prevention before the incident can prevent catastrophes.
Bacterial Disease
1. Leptospirosis
Leptospirosis is caused by either contact with contamination or an infected dog. The infection is caused by bacteria called Leptospira. Which can be found in soil, plants, ponds, etc. It damages the organs of young and immune-deficient dogs. It is a zoonosis disease means it can pass to humans.
Some symptoms of leptospirosis are diarrhea, loss of appetite, fatigue, vomiting, fever, redness, jaundice, and muscle cramps. If any of the conditions appear in your dog, then go to your veterinarian and tell him the problem.
When the veteran diagnoses with Leptospirosis. Your dog will be treated with Anti-bacterial and supportive care. The best method to prevent leptospirosis is vaccination. Prevent your dog from meddling in dirty things, vaccinate your dog on time, and provide a healthy diet to your dog.
2. Lyme Disease
Lyme disease is caused by bacteria called Borreliosis that is introduced to dogs by tick bites. It attaches to your dog out in the forest in tall grass. It is the most common disease in dogs in northern areas.
A few symptoms of Lyme disease are fever, loss of appetite, fatigue, and limping. If you find these symptoms in your dog, your dog might have Lyme disease. You might have to visit the vet immediately.
The doctor gives a dose of anti-biotic to your dog. A high dose of anti-biotic can be fatal and can damage vital organs such as the Kidney and heart. The best and most effective way to tackle Lyme disease is vaccination and grooming. Grooming prevents any ticks to settle in the dog fur and vaccination deals with any possible bacteria in the bloodstream.
3. Colibacillosis
Colibacillosis is caused by Coli-bacteria i.e. E-coli and enterococci. The bacteria is commonly found in damp places like gardens, bathtubs, ponds, and infected pets. It enters the body by licking the anus or by drinking contaminated water.
Symptoms of colibacillosis are urinary tract infection, vomiting, and diarrhea. If any symptom(s) appear in your dog, it is time to visit the vet. If your dog has a fever in intervals and has diarrhea then it is expected that your dog has Colibacillosis.
When the vet diagnosed the disease, he will provide appropriate treatment and give medicine to your dog. The best way to treat the disease is to prevent it by vaccination.
Viral Disease
1. Canine parvovirus
Canine parvovirus is an infectious disease caused by canine parvovirus 2. It infects the dogs by drinking contaminated water and touching the feces of the infected animal.
If your dog has diarrhea, fever, dehydration, vomiting, hemorrhagic, or any combination of it, then you should consider taking your dog to the vet. The vet does his check-up and diagnoses the disease.
For the treatment, your veteran will provide the necessary electrolytes and prescribe some medicine for your dog to treat the disease properly.
2. Rabies
Rabies is caused by the rabies virus usually by the bite of an infected animal. The virus attacks the central nervous system (CNS) and paralyzes the dog. It is a zoonosis disease as it can transmit to humans as well.
The symptom of rabies includes foam in the mouth, fever, pain, hyperactivity, wound burning, and paralysis of some organs. Rabies is diagnosed by PCR of brain tissues, immune-peroxidase staining, and fluorescent antibiotics.
There is no treatment for rabies if the dog got the disease there is no turning back. The only way to prevent the disease is by getting a vaccine and by keeping dogs away from the infected animal.
3. Influenza
Influenza is caused by the influenza virus. It is relatively a new respiratory problem in dogs. And if it is prolonged it will cause serious problems.
The symptoms of influenza include coughing, fever, and dyspnea. If your dog shows these symptoms or any combination of them. Then it is time for you to visit the veteran.
The treatment of this disease is completed in almost 1–3 weeks. The incubation period of influenza is 2–5 days.
4. Canine distemper
Canine distemper is a contagious disease and spread by exposure from air and contact from food bowls sharing. It is common in young dogs.
It mainly occurs in the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems. The symptoms include rummy eyes, coughing, vomiting, fever, and hardening nose and footpads.
If your dog has distemper disease take your dog to the vet. The veterinarian will give the necessary nutrients and fluids and also provide the medicines. The best treatment against canine distemper is to get your dog vaccinated.
Conclusion
Dogs get diseases all the time, some are mild and some are heard on them. While some diseases are deadly, mostly are bacterial and viral.
Bacterial and viral diseases are treated by anti-bacterial and anti-viral diseases. But the best way is by vaccinating your pet. All these common viral and bacterial diseases can be treated easily through vaccination.
