Preventing Your Dog From Catching Diseases

 Like any other pet, dogs, if not properly cared and maintained, could get diseases. Here are some parasites that cause dog diseases.

- Heartworm. Mosquito bites cause heartworm to exist in a dog and will reside in your pet's heart and nearby blood vessels. A dog infected by heartworms looks dull and may even have a chronic cough. If possible, ask your veterinarian if your dog could be given a heartworm medication when it is the season of mosquitoes.

- Hookworm. Hookworms can be given by the mother dog to a puppy during the nursing period or even before birth. Hookworms cause dog anemia and appetite loss.

- Roundworm. The transmittal of roundworms is very much like how hookworms get transmitted in a dog. An infected dog usually has a potbelly. Roundworms cause pneumonia, diarrhea, dehydration, stunted growth, and vomiting.

- Tapeworm. A dog gets tapeworms if it swallows fleas that are larvae-laden. Much of the symptoms that are obvious rarely show, but in the dog's feces, you could see deposits of rice-like appearance.

- Whipworm. A dog infected with whipworms may have diarrhea and other ailments like, stool mucus, and serious bowel inflammation. Extreme weight loss is also a symptom caused by whipworms.

- Fleas. Fleas, the commonest among external parasites, cause the dog to continuously scratch various parts of the body. This results to fur loss. Ask your veterinarian on a good flea-control program, since fleas could become resistant to some products over time.

- Lice. Lice can infect less common compared with fleas. Plus, they can be controlled easier.

- Ticks. Ticks can pose more serious problems than fleas because diseases like Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, or Lyme disease, can be contracted with ticks. Tweezers can be used to remove ticks one by one. If you do not know how to remove ticks properly and carefully, ask your vet first. If you do know how, ticks should be placed in a can with soap and water.

Treating dog diseases

Some ways of treating dog diseases that your vet might use:

- Pills

- Liquid medicine

- Eye drops and ointment

- Ear drops and ointment

With proper care and prevention, your pet dog would be generally free and safe from various diseases. If you notice something's wrong with your dog, immediately consult with your vet. You will never know what might happen.

About the author:

Jack Russell is a a long time dog fancier, visit his Dog Resources Blog and download his Free Dog Owners Handbook - it's Dog Gone Good! http://www.daveshealthbuzz.com/dogcare/

 Jack Russell

More Articles 

Flying With Your Dog - Eric Shannon
A pet owner must research the many requirements before taking a dog on an airplane. Different airlines have slightly different regulations, but most airlines follow the same basic set of rules in regards to flying with a dog. One universal rule is...

Flea Control With Cats and Dogs - Mark Smith
Fleas are the most common external parasite of pets in North America. Fleas are small wingless insects that use their specialized mouth to pierce the skin and siphon blood from their host. When a flea bites, it injects a small amount of saliva into...

Dealing with a Dog Food Allergy? - Blake Kritzberg
Just as humans allergies can show up as a sneeze or rash, your dog's allergies can manifest as itchiness -- or even ear infections. In fact, if your dog's allergic to his food, it can cause him to scratch himself constantly, even with no obvious...

Enjoyable Activities With Your Dog - Jack Russell
A dog is more than just a pet. It is a friend one can always count on when things go wrong and no one seems to care. Having a dog for a pet is not just about feeding it and giving it a good home. It also takes maintenance to keep that dog strong...

Dog Beds for Larger Dogs - Ken Marlborough
Large dogs and extra large dogs require more thought and planning when owners purchase a permanent dog bed. Even though large dogs can be just as lovable as their smaller canine counterparts, they require a more complex sleeping situation than small...

Westies Dogs - Footcare Health Tips - Jeff Cuckson
Westies dogs’ owners delight in the companionship their dogs give them during long and leisurely walks. But this activity should be one that brings pleasure to both. How can you ensure that your dog also enjoys these activities? First, you’ll...

Dog Safety: How to Keep Your Pups Safe From Loss or Theft - Jennifer McVey
According to the American Humane Society, just 15% of dogs in shelters ever find their way home again. Thankfully, these loved pooches had identification, enabling shelter personnel to contact and return them to their owners. With such discouraging...

Give Your Dog a Sexy Makeover - Disney Pieces
How's your dog looking these days? Running through puddles, rolling in mud, and fighting off fleas can leave any dog looking drab. But it doesn't have to be that way. And you don't have to spend a lot of money to have a fabulous looking...

Dog Pregnancy Tips - Charles Edwin
Breeding dogs is an exciting experience. From the time a proper mate is found to the point that the puppies are born, it is crucial to take careful steps to make this successful. Professional dog breeders do not breed frequently and will...

Dog Health Care: What You Should Know - Joel Walsh
Our dogs are now, more than ever, a very important part of our families. We care for them as we care for ourselves. That includes taking a greater interest in our dogs' health care. In response, there have been many advances in dog health care in...