Dog Feces Disease
Parvovirus
If your dog has contracted this deadly dog feces disease, then there is probably no hope for him or her. Puppies are especially prone to it. Symptoms of this deadly disease include diarrhea, bloody feces and severe dehydration.
Treatment of parvovirus is accomplished by replenishing your dogs body with the fluids which he or she has lost, this is done thorough an intravenous drip. Corticosteroids are also given to combat secondary infections. But the good news is you can save your puppy a lot of suffering by vaccinating him or her with the CPV-2 vaccine which will protect it for life.
Hookworms, Roundworms and Whipworms
Hookworms, Roundworms and Whipworms are transmitted to dogs via infected feces. Hookworms are dangerous because they prey on the blood of your dog and can cause severe anemia. Your doggys gums become pale, he or she becomes weak and black stools are observed.
Roundworms can adversely affect the digestive system and the lungs. The most common symptoms of a roundworm infection are diarrhea and vomiting. Whipworms, like Hookworms are blood suckers as well. They feed on the intestinal falls and cause severe anemia in your pet. Hemorrhage too occurs.
All these worms can be treated with the help of certain medicines, like Milbemycin Oxime, Fenbendazole, Moxidectin, Ivermectin, Lufeneron etc. Unfortunately, no vaccine has been developed for prevention against the raid of these worms. Proper hygiene, routine fecal examinations and keeping your dogs in a clean environment is the only preventive measure you can take against these worms.
Giardia
Giardia occurs when the dog in concern eats the cyst form of the parasite causing the disease. This usually spreads from the feces of infected dogs. Diarrhea is the symptom of Giardia, it may be acute, chronic or intermittent. The feces too become abnormally pale and have a strange smell.
Fenbendazole is an anti-parasitic drug which is used to treat this condition. Metronidazole is also used for the same purpose. Again proper hygiene and a clean environment can prevent your dog from contracting this dog feces disease.
A Few Dog Genetic Diseases
Dog genetic diseases are a common cause of worry and hassle for a lot of dog owners. There are some diseases, which your dog is bound to develop because of his or her genes. This is similar to the genetic diseases and conditions which we humans also tend to develop as a result of our genetic code, no amount of preventive measures can stop your dog from developing a dog genetic disease.
Hip Dysplasia
This disease is characterized by the abnormal formation of the ball and socket joint which is present at the hip. In its worst form, it can be so painful as to cause your dog to become a cripple. Symptoms of this painful condition include soreness and stiffness after a period of rest, peculiar gait, a marked reluctance to stand on the hind legs and an unwillingness to jump. Treatment involves the administering of Carprofen, Meloxicon, a glucosamine based diet supplement and Zubrin. If the case is serious, then surgery might be needed to replace the hip socket.
Craniomandibular Osteopathy
This dog genetic disease is quite common and its symptoms are quite visible, hence it can be diagnosed early. This disease is characterized by the development of abnormally large bones in the cranial and mandibular regions of your dogs anatomy. This disease affects dogs that are typically between three to eight months of age. What is worse is that no treatment to alter this condition has been developed yet.
Canine Follicular Dysplasia
If your dog has been losing a lot of hair, then this genetic disease might be the cause of it. Dogs affected by this disease have weak hair follicles as a result of which, the hair on these dogs coats tends to break easily. Treatment involves the administration of synthetic retinoid drugs, using a benzoyl peroxide based shampoo on your dog is also a good idea.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy
This disease is a genetic disease which causes our dogs vision to become poorer and poorer and can ultimately lead to blindness. The bad news is, this disease cannot be treated, several vitamin therapies have been suggested to cure this condition, but none produce significant results. Dog genetic diseases are diseases which your dog is bound to develop, accepting this fact and dealing with it is the best way to treat your dog, never let your dog know that you are sad, if you are happy, he or she will automatically be happy!
Dog Heartworm Disease The Silent Killer
Dog heartworm disease is one of the most serious and life threatening diseases that your dog might contract. If heartworms are not detected on time, then all you can do to save your dog is pray really hard for a miracle. Heartworms are basically parasites which live in your dogs blood. Your dog contracts heartworm disease when he or she is bitten by a mosquito which is the carrier of this disease.
Symptoms
There are many symptoms of heartworm disease. You might find that your dog has developed difficulty breathing, or a cough; sometimes the cough is accompanied by blood. Your dog will also show elevated levels of lethargy and a marked unwillingness to exercise. Your dog might develop a bloated abdomen in spite of severe overall weight loss.
The cause for this? Your dogs abdomen becomes filled with fluid. Your dogs urine may even appear bloody. If your dog is displaying any of these symptoms then it is time to take him to the vet.
Treatment
Treatment of heartworms was a shadowy area until quite recently. But rapid advancement and medical breakthroughs has given way to a convenient and superior form of treatment for heartworms. Immiticide injections are administered to infected dogs in order to rid their bodies of these dangerous parasites.
Immiticide was originally used for those dogs who fell in the high-risk bracket, but since it has been found to be effective and quite convenient, it is now widely accepted as the treatment for heartworms. But Immiticide injections take a toll on your dogs overall well-being and if your dog has been injected with the substance, then it is recommended that he or she be rested for a period of at least 30 days before he resumes normal activities.
Sometimes, heartworms need to be surgically removed. This is only when the patient in question has a history of the vena cava Syndrome or in the case of emergency. This is done by opening up the jugular vein.
Prevention
Prevention of this disease can be accomplished by administering Diethylcarbamazine tablets to your dog. Other tablets include Ivermectine. But these preventive medicines do not come without their side effects either. So before you take any action, think twice. The best way to prevent your dog from contracting dog heartworm disease is by maintaining proper levels of hygiene and care.
