Thursday, April 4, 2013

Dealing with Common Dog Symptoms

By Geraldine Dimarco


Dogs are perhaps the animals most people would get for a pet. As such, intensive studies regarding dog health problems have been done to help dog owners from all over to understand the nature of the various diseases; and more than that - to provide the correct treatments for the specific sickness.

There are several kinds of dog diseases. A lot of them are caused by contaminated organisms that disrupt the system of the canine by infecting them. Fleas and ticks, examples of pesky organisms, are more often remedied through medicated soaps and shampoos that specifically deal with these external parasites.

Internal parasites warrant more concern as they are often more dangerous and less evident in the initial stages. Hookworms, tapeworms, intestinal worms and heartworms cause severe discomfort for the canine that has been infested. You can avoid this primarily by maintaining as clean an environment as you can for the dog and providing a nutritious and good diet for him.

Herpes virus, parvovirus, distemper, influenza and canine hepatitis are viral diseases that canines are susceptible to. The most commonly associated of all viral diseases is rabies. Rabies is contracted when another infected mammal bites your dog. Prevent rabies from becoming a possibility by enlisting your dog with regular vaccination shots.

Any alterations in your dogs behavior that is not brought about by natural conditions, like the atmosphere or presence of a new animal or person-- must be observed very closely. There are many dog diseases; but if you can take note of common dog symptoms correctly and in a timely manner, you may save your dog from a lot of pain.

Some of the changes you should watch out for are depression, anxiety, sudden weight loss, excessive trembling, frequent loss of balance, fatigue and sleepiness. When these symptoms occur, monitor their behavior for a few days and ensure that no further stressful factors enter into the equation. If there are no improvements after a few days, have him checked up. Take note when the changes started and the pattern of it for the record of your veterinarian.

Dogs that are in pain are not always able to vocalize and appropriately express their discomfort. Especially for some breeds that have a higher tolerance for pain - locating their problems is not particularly easy to do. Other than yelping and howling, notice their posture and how they position themselves. If they are hunched over and lick at some areas, it may be that it is where the soreness is.

Loss of appetite, hair loss, lumps and discolorations in the canines skin, coughing, vomiting and a foul smell in the ears, eyes and nose are other dog symptoms that you should be aware of. Also, dogs that are sick will strain to urinate and only in small amounts so watch out for this. Look out for any discharge in the eyes and nose as well.

Dog health problems are unfortunate but most are easily addressed and treated when you have correctly diagnosed the condition. Visit your veterinarian regularly to arrest any infection in the beginning stages and ensure your dog's well-being.




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