Understanding Canine Illnesses: Types, Symptoms, and Prevention

Illness in dogs

There is no doubt that an illness in dogs is one stressful event for a dog and the owner. It truly breaks our heart to see our pooch not being as playful as he normally is.

We have compiled a list of dog diseases and their effect on your pet. Every type has a different course of action for treatment and prevention.

Illness in dogs: viral

Viral infections are caused by viruses and can easily be passed on from one dog to another through contact and fluids. Some of the most common are:

• Rabies in dogs – a fatal disease affecting a dog’s nervous system;
• Parvovirus in dogs – a fatal gastrointestinal disease affecting mostly puppies;
• Canine influenza – respiratory disease;
• Infectious canine hepatitis – disease affecting the liver;
• Canine coronavirus – gastorintestinal disease.

Illness in dogs: bacterial

Bacterial infections are generally easier to catch since these infections are acquired easily even from the air. The most common bacterial infections are:

• Leptospirosis in dogs – caused by a spirochaete, produces liver and kidney failure;
• Lyme disease in dogs – caused by Borrelia burgdorfer, it causes anorexia, lethargy, and acute arthritis;
• Ehrlichiosis – caused by Ehrlichia canis, its symptoms include fever, vasculitis, and low blood count;
• Clostridium – associated with C. perfringens and C. difficile, it causes diarrhea in dogs;
• Kennel cough – caused by Bordetella bronchiseptica or by one of several viruses,

Illness in dogs: fungal

Most fungal diseases affect both animals and humans, which poses a health risk for humans.

• Histoplasmosis – caused by Histoplasma capsulatum, it affects the lungs and small intestine;
• Cryptococcosis – caused by Cryptococcus neoformans, is a rare disease where the lungs, eye, skin and nervous system are affected;
• Ringworm in dogs – Three fungi are responsible for this condition that causes scaly skin and hair loss, Microsporum canis, Microsporum gypseum, and Trichophyton mentagrophytes;
• Sporotrichosis – caused by Sporothrix schenckii, is a rare disease in dogs causing nodular lesions on the head and trunk.

Illness in dogs: protozoal

Most protozoal diseases in dogs are characterized by dog diarrhea, vomiting in dogs, and weight loss in dogs. Some of them are:

• Coccidiosis
• Leishmaniasis in dogs
• Babesiosis
• Neosporosis
• Protothecosis

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