After years of playing, watching and getting to know our dog’s moods, we can usually tell if something is up. Yet there are illnesses or diseases that might slip by our radar. The following is a good guide, things to watch out for:
1. Rabies
Signs that an animal is rabid:
The classic heavy drool
A nocturnal animal moving about in the daytime
Aggressive or self-mutilating behavior
Paralyzed or disoriented2. Arthritis
Dogs with arthritis may show some of these signs:
Moving stiffly
Reluctance to go up and down stairs
Limping
Obvious pain when prodded in affected areas
Pain or swelling that can’t be readily explained
Not as flexible as they once were
Keep your dog at a healthy weight, supply the appropriate nutrition and make regular visits to the vet. Arthritis cannot be cured, but it can be treated with various pain medications if necessary.3. Lyme Disease
Ticks infected with Lyme disease can transmit the disease to your dog when they attach themselves and begin to feed.
Dogs who contract Lyme disease may show pain or swelling in the joints, stiffness, pain, fever and weakness.4. Obesity
Obesity in dogs can lead to other diseases such as arthritis and diabetes. Just as in people, too much weight is not good.
Quick tips for preventing obesity in your dog:
Understand what you are feeding her.
Know much to feed her.
Make sure she gets lots of exercise.
Consult with your vet before making any dietary changes and to get advice on a weight-loss regimen.5. Canine Distemper
Unlike rabies, distemper can be contracted through the air.
When a dog is infected, he will show signs such as:Fever
Depression
Loss of appetite
Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Possibly nose or eye dischargeDistemper can be fatal, and it is always dangerous and distressing for both the dog and the family. Don’t skip this critical vaccination.
Learn more about these and other diseases or illnesses over on Petful.
Our own dog has come down with kennel cough on more than one occasion and it really started to worry us when he appeared to be choking on his flem. A quick trip to the vet for an antibiotic and he was fine. The relief when he started to get better, for the entire family, was nearly organic! He was happier and so were we!
In other words, an illness does not have to be a tragic thing but it is something that needs to be taken care of quickly, for both your dog’s and your own piece of mind!
