Early intervention and treatment are critical if your dog becomes sick. In today's post, our Glendale vets share three of the most commonly seen illnesses in dogs, including symptoms and information about potential treatment options.
Dog Illnesses & Their Symptoms
If you have a dog, monitoring their health and taking them to the vet for their routine checkups is important. Here, we'll explore three of the most common dog illnesses as well as a checklist for symptoms:
Cancer
Medical advances are allowing dogs to live longer, healthier lives. However, because they are living longer, they are more likely to get sick with things like cancer at some point in their lives.
Causes & Symptoms
Dogs may be affected by various types of cancer (like bone, breast, lymphoma, skin, and soft tissue sarcomas) as they age. Certain breeds are more prone to developing cancer due to their genetics, while environmental factors may also play a role. It can be difficult to detect cancer, especially in the early stages when symptoms may not be as obvious.
If signs of cancer do start to appear, some of the most common ones may include:
- Enlarged lymph nodes
- Abnormal bleeding
- Wounds that don't heal
- Lameness or swelling in bones or other parts of the body
- Bumps or lumps
Treatment Options for Cancer
Veterinarians often recommend surgery to remove cancerous tumors. Some treatments can help cure the disease or extend your dog's life, and your dog may need additional care to manage pain and discomfort.
This can include things like applying hot and cold packs to your dog's body, medications, or acupuncture treatment.
It's important that cancer is diagnosed and treated early. Taking your dog to the vet for regular checkups can help identify any issues before they become serious and potentially life-threatening.
Ear Infections in Dogs
Your dog's ear canal is shaped like the letter 'L' and tends to hold in fluid. This makes our canine friends more susceptible to ear infections.
If your pooch spends a lot of time in water or has floppy ears, this health issue can recur and become common. Moisture may become trapped in your dog's ears and create an ideal environment for bacterial ear infections to develop.
Causes & Symptoms
You may notice your dog scratching their ears or shaking their head if they've developed an ear infection. A vet can examine your dog's ears to determine the cause of the infection, which may occur due to moisture in the ears, autoimmune disorders, allergies, wax buildup, and other factors.
Along with the signs mentioned above, other symptoms include:
- Scabs or crustiness
- Odor in the infected air
- Dark discharge
- Redness or swelling in the ear canal
Treatment Options for Ear Infections
The vet will clean your dog's infected ear with special medicine and prescribe antibiotics or anti-inflammatory medication, and/or a topical cream, to cure the infection.
The infection will typically clear up if caught early (within a week or two of it developing). But, severe ear infections or those caused by underlying health conditions may take longer to heal. In some cases, chronic or repeated ear infections may happen.
Left untreated, ear infections in dogs can develop quickly and lead to symptoms such as balance and coordination issues, pain, and in severe cases, facial paralysis.
Parvovirus in Dogs
Parvo is considered a disease of the stomach and small intestines. It is here that the virus begins destroying the dog's gut barrier by attacking healthy cells and blocking the absorption of essential nutrients.
In puppies, parvo also attacks the bone marrow and lymphopoietic tissues which play essential roles in your dog's immune system, and eventually, the virus will often affect the heart.
Causes & Symptoms
Parvovirus (also called parvo) is a highly contagious virus that causes extreme gastrointestinal symptoms in puppies and unvaccinated dogs of all ages. The virus is transmitted through traces of feces from dogs that are infected, even dogs that are asymptomatic and aren't exhibiting any symptoms can spread Parvo just as easily as dogs that have symptoms or have recently recovered from it.
Parvo is so infectious that humans can spread it unknowingly to other dogs if they have recently come into contact with an infected pup, just by touching them. This means an innocent pat on the head could result in a life-threatening condition. Other common causes of contamination include sharing toys, bowls, bedding, and leashes.
Some of the main symptoms of parvovirus in dogs include:
- Reduced appetite
- Dehydration
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea (usually bloody)
- Fever
- Weakness
Treatment Options for Parvovirus
Vaccines and booster shots help prevent parvovirus in puppies and dogs. Parvovirus can cause serious health problems such as bone marrow damage, bacterial pneumonia, chronic heart disease, and even sudden death. While there is no cure, your vet can provide supportive treatments to alleviate symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea. It is crucial to ensure your dog stays hydrated and well-nourished during recovery.
Since parvovirus weakens the immune system, your vet will monitor your dog's condition and may prescribe antibiotics to prevent secondary infections.
Steps to Take if Your Dog is Showing Signs of Illness
If you notice any signs of the three illnesses mentioned in your dog, it's essential to contact your vet right away. Depending on the nature of your dog's specific illness and symptoms, your vet may schedule a checkup or ask you to come in for emergency care. At Limehouse Veterinary Clinic, we provide comprehensive services and advanced diagnostics to treat your dog's most difficult health problems effectively.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.