The health issues of a dog
We all know that a dog is the best friend of man. Well, a dog is also affected by the same health problems as man, for example cancer, diabetes, depression and many other dog health issues such as heartworm and kennel cough.
Below are some of the symptoms as well as treatments for some common dog health problems.
Rabies
Rabies is a viral disease that attacks the nervous system of dog and may lead to encephalitis. This virus can be transmitted trough saliva when a dog or animal infected with the disease bites your dog. When a dog displays symptoms of rabies, it often dies within a week.
It is very important to vaccinate your pets, whether it is your cat or dog against the threat of rabies. If your dog is vaccinated and then gets bitten by an infected dog or wild animal, it is advisable to vaccinate it once again and then keep it in quarantine for at least 90 days. On the other hand, if you have not vaccinated your dog, you should have it euthanized and then send its tissue for the testing of rabies.
However, for some reason you may not want to euthanize your dog. Therefore, you should keep it in quarantine for not less than 6 months. However, you will need to vaccinate it one month before you release it.
CLICK HERE! to Find OUT More About Dogs Health Problems
Kennel Cough
If you keep your dog in a poorly ventilated area or expose it to overcrowding, dust and cigarette smoke, it can develop respiratory infections. The result is that your dog may end up having a chronic, hacking cough.
In treatment of this problem, antibiotics can be used and they are pretty effective in getting rid of the disease. However, antibiotics can make the immune system weak and expose your dog to long term health complications. Kennel cough can also be treated by vaccination. Although vaccinations are popular, they too can considerably weaken the immune system of dogs.
Cushings disease
Cushings disease is also referred to as hyperadrenocorticism. This is usually a common issue in older canines. The condition is normally brought about by too much hormone production by the adrenal glands. Symptoms of the disease include urination, thirst, increased appetite, skin lumps, high blood pressure, panting, nervous system issues, and hair loss.
This disease is normally triggered by a tumor either in the pituitary or adrenal gland, causing the adrenal gland not to function well and produce too much hormones. Cushings disease may be diagnosed through a blood test. The test is to determine whether the problem is in the pituitary or adrenal gland. There are several types of medication that can be used in the treatment of Cushings disease when diagnosed at the early stages. However, you should take care when using these medications.
Heartworm
Heartworm, scientifically known as Dirofilara immitis, is a major pest that afflicts dogs, cats, foxes, and wolves on a global scale. The larva stage of the heartworm is called microfilariae and hosted by a mosquito. The larva is consumed by a mosquito as it bites one infected dog and then deposits the larva on an uninfected canine through a bite.
The larva is deposited further inside the dog where it eventually morphs into an adult. Once a heartworm reaches adulthood, it travels to the right side of a dogs heart through a vein and then waits for the right time before it multiplies. An adult heartworm can measure 12 inches long and can live in the heart of a dog for many years.
It is easy to detect the presence of the heartworm in dogs. The dogs blood is normally tested to see if there is presence of the heartworm. Heartworms infestations are pretty serious in dogs and many of them die due to lack of treatment. Dogs which are treated early can live through weeks of pain as the worms are purged from the body. In serous cases of heartworms, surgery is the best option for removal.
If you take extra care with the handling of your dog, you both can have a good relationship with each other for years to come and both of you can develop a strong and deep bond that will not be affected by any health problems.
