As dedicated dog parents, recognizing the early signs of common illnesses in our furry companions is crucial. Prompt veterinary attention can make a significant difference in a dog’s recovery and overall well-being. This guide provides essential information on diseases and medical conditions that frequently affect dogs, empowering you to act swiftly when your dog needs help.
Cancer in Dogs
Discovering that your beloved dog has cancer can be a frightening and overwhelming experience. It’s important to remember that veterinary approaches to cancer treatment can vary. Seeking a second opinion, especially from a veterinary oncologist, and thoroughly discussing all available options with your vet is highly recommended.
Cancer is a complex group of diseases characterized by uncontrolled cell growth, tissue invasion, and potential metastasis to other parts of the body. Just like in humans, dogs can develop various types of cancer, which can be localized (like a tumor) or widespread throughout the body.
Causes of Cancer
Cancer is considered a “multifactorial” disease, meaning it doesn’t have a single known cause. Both genetic predispositions and environmental factors are understood to contribute to the development of cancer in dogs.
Symptoms of Cancer
Be vigilant for the following potential cancer symptoms in your dog:
- Lumps or bumps (which require veterinary examination, even if not always malignant)
- Swelling
- Unhealing sores
- Unusual discharge from any bodily orifice
- Persistent bad breath
- Lethargy or listlessness
- Sudden and unexplained weight loss
- Lameness
- Black, tarry stools (indicative of ulcers, possibly caused by mast cell tumors)
- Decreased or absent appetite
- Difficulty breathing, urinating, or defecating
Diagnosing Cancer
Diagnosis often begins with a needle biopsy of any lumps to examine cells under a microscope. Alternatively, surgical removal of a lump for pathological analysis may be performed. Diagnostic imaging such as X-rays and ultrasounds, along with blood tests, can also aid in identifying cancer and its spread.
Breeds Prone to Cancer
While cancer can affect any dog, it is more prevalent in older dogs. Certain breeds have a higher predisposition to specific cancers. For instance, Boxers, Boston Terriers, and Golden Retrievers are more commonly diagnosed with mast cell tumors or lymphoma. Large and giant breeds like Great Danes and Saint Bernards are at a greater risk for bone cancer compared to smaller breeds. Understanding your dog’s breed-specific risks is important.
Cancer Prevention
Spaying your dog at a young age can significantly reduce the risk of certain cancers. Spaying before the first heat cycle can almost eliminate the chance of breast cancer, and neutering prevents testicular cancer entirely.
Cancer Treatments
Treatment options are diverse and depend on the cancer’s type and stage. Common approaches include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and immunotherapy, often in combination. Early detection is key to successful treatment, but not all cancers are curable. If a cure isn’t possible, palliative care focusing on pain relief and quality of life is essential. Open communication with your veterinarian about your dog’s quality of life is vital when making decisions.
When to Consult Your Vet
Contact your veterinarian immediately if you observe any of the aforementioned clinical signs. For a cancer diagnosis, consulting a veterinary oncologist may be beneficial.
Diabetes Mellitus in Dogs
Diabetes in dogs is a complex endocrine disorder resulting from either insufficient insulin production or the body’s inability to effectively use insulin. After a dog eats, food is broken down into glucose, which insulin transports into cells for energy. When insulin is lacking or ineffective, blood sugar levels rise, leading to hyperglycemia. Untreated, this can cause serious health complications.
Diabetes is a manageable condition, and many diabetic dogs can lead fulfilling lives with proper care. The two main types are Type I (lack of insulin production) and Type II (impaired production and response). Type I, or insulin-dependent diabetes, is the most common form in dogs and requires insulin therapy for survival.
Symptoms of Diabetes
Watch for these signs, which may indicate your dog has diabetes:
- Changes in appetite
- Increased thirst and water consumption
- Weight loss
- Increased urination
- A sweet or fruity odor to the breath
- Lethargy
- Dehydration
- Recurrent urinary tract infections
- Vomiting
- Cataract formation, potentially leading to blindness
- Chronic skin infections
Causes of Diabetes
The precise cause of diabetes is often unknown, but potential contributing factors include autoimmune disease, genetics, obesity, chronic pancreatitis, certain medications, and abnormal protein deposits in the pancreas.
Dogs Prone to Diabetes
Obese female dogs may have a higher risk of developing diabetes later in life (around 6-9 years old). Certain breeds, including Australian Terriers, Schnauzers, Dachshunds, Poodles, Keeshonds, and Samoyeds, may also be predisposed. Juvenile diabetes, particularly in Golden Retrievers and Keeshonds, can also occur.
Diagnosing Diabetes
A veterinarian will diagnose diabetes based on clinical signs, a physical examination, and diagnostic tests like blood work and urinalysis.
Treating Diabetes
Treatment is highly individualized. Dogs diagnosed with severe disease may require hospitalization for blood sugar stabilization. Others might respond to oral medications or a high-fiber diet. Most dogs will require daily insulin injections. Spaying is recommended as female hormones can affect blood sugar. Consistent insulin administration and mealtimes are crucial for managing blood glucose levels. Your vet will guide you on a feeding schedule aligned with your dog’s medication and advise on avoiding high-glucose treats. Regular blood glucose monitoring is essential.
Diabetes Prevention
While inherited forms of diabetes exist, maintaining a proper diet and ensuring regular exercise can help prevent or delay the onset of diabetes, especially by managing weight and preventing insulin resistance.
When to Suspect Diabetes
If your dog exhibits any of the listed abnormal clinical signs, schedule an immediate veterinary appointment. Untreated diabetes can lead to severe secondary health issues and can be fatal.
Heartworm Disease in Dogs
Heartworm disease is a serious and potentially fatal parasitic infection caused by worms living in a dog’s heart and pulmonary arteries. These worms migrate through the bloodstream, damaging vital organs and arteries before reaching the heart and lungs, typically within six months of infection. A single dog can harbor hundreds of heartworms for several years.
Symptoms of Heartworm
Symptoms can range from subtle to severe and may include:
- Labored breathing
- Coughing
- Vomiting
- Weight loss, listlessness, and fatigue after minimal exertion
- In some cases, no symptoms are apparent until the disease is advanced.
Causes of Heartworm
Heartworms are transmitted through mosquito bites. A mosquito becomes infected by feeding on an infected animal and then transmits infective larvae to another animal when it bites. The larvae mature into adult worms within the host, a process that takes about six months.
Diagnosing Heartworm
Diagnosis involves physical examination, imaging (X-rays, ultrasound), and a veterinarian-administered blood test. Annual screening is recommended for all dogs, especially in endemic areas.
Dogs Prone to Heartworm
Any dog can contract heartworm, but those living in hot, humid regions with high mosquito populations are at the greatest risk. The disease is prevalent across the United States, particularly along the East Coast, in the southern states, and the Mississippi River Valley.
Preventing Heartworm
Heartworm is highly preventable with monthly chewable pills or topical medications prescribed by a veterinarian. Puppies under six months can typically start these medications without a blood test, while older dogs require screening first. The American Heartworm Society recommends year-round prevention to also protect against other intestinal parasites.
Heartworm Treatment
Treatment protocols vary and require a thorough examination to assess risks. The most common treatment involves injections of adulticides, which has a high success rate but typically requires hospitalization and several weeks of restricted activity. Prevention remains a far safer and more effective option. Dogs treated for heartworm must remain on preventative medication afterward.
When to Consult Your Veterinarian
If your dog shows decreased energy, appears unwell, or displays any of the symptoms mentioned, contact your veterinarian immediately.
Kennel Cough in Dogs
Kennel cough, also known as infectious tracheobronchitis, is a collective term for respiratory infections—both viral and bacterial—that inflame a dog’s larynx and trachea. It’s akin to a chest cold in humans and, while usually self-limiting, is highly contagious among dogs.
Symptoms of Kennel Cough
- A persistent, dry, “honking” cough
- Often, the dog appears otherwise healthy
- Gagging
- Coughing up white, foamy phlegm
- Fever
- Nasal discharge
Causes of Kennel Cough
Kennel cough can spread through airborne droplets, direct dog-to-dog contact, or contaminated objects. It thrives in enclosed spaces with poor ventilation, such as kennels and shelters. Shared items like water dishes can also facilitate transmission. Many boarding facilities require proof of vaccination against common causes like parainfluenza and Bordetella.
Dogs Prone to Kennel Cough
Dogs with frequent contact with other dogs, particularly in crowded or poorly ventilated environments, are most susceptible. Young and unvaccinated dogs are also at higher risk.
Kennel Cough Prevention
Preventing exposure is the most effective strategy. Vaccinations against parainfluenza, Bordetella, and adenovirus-2 are available and recommended by veterinarians. However, vaccines are not effective if the dog has already contracted the virus.
Kennel Cough Treatment
If your dog develops a cough, consult your veterinarian. Treatment may involve:
- Isolating the affected dog from others.
- Using a humidifier or vaporizer to soothe irritated airways.
- Avoiding exposure to smoke or irritating fumes.
- Prescribing cough suppressants or antimicrobials.
- Using a harness instead of a collar if pulling exacerbates coughing.
- Providing supportive care, ensuring adequate nutrition, hydration, and a stress-free environment.
Kennel Cough Recovery
Most dogs recover within three weeks. Puppies, elderly dogs, or immunocompromised animals may take longer. Dogs can remain infectious even after symptoms subside.
When to Consult Your Veterinarian
Immediately isolate your dog if you suspect kennel cough and contact your veterinarian. While improvement is expected within a week of treatment, seek veterinary attention promptly if your dog experiences nasal discharge, rapid breathing, loss of appetite, or lethargy, as serious cases can lead to pneumonia.
Canine Parvovirus
Canine parvovirus (CPV) is a highly contagious and potentially fatal viral disease that primarily affects the intestinal tract by attacking rapidly dividing cells. It also targets white blood cells, and in young puppies, it can damage heart muscle, leading to lifelong cardiac issues.
Symptoms of Parvovirus
- Lethargy
- Severe vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Bloody, foul-smelling diarrhea, leading to dehydration
Causes of Parvovirus
Parvovirus is extremely contagious and spreads through feces of infected dogs. The virus is highly resilient, surviving in the environment for months on surfaces like food bowls, shoes, and floors. Unvaccinated dogs are at high risk, especially in urban areas.
Dogs Prone to Parvovirus
Puppies, adolescent dogs, and unvaccinated canines are most susceptible. Breeds like Rottweilers, Doberman Pinschers, Labrador Retrievers, American Staffordshire Terriers, and German Shepherds are at higher risk.
Parvovirus Prevention
Ensuring your dog is up-to-date on vaccinations is crucial. Parvovirus is considered a core vaccine for all dogs, typically administered in a series starting at 6-8 weeks of age and boosted periodically. Older dogs who haven’t completed their puppy series should also be vaccinated. Due to the virus’s resilience, thorough disinfection of the environment with a bleach solution (1:32 ratio) is essential if an infected dog has been present. Discard non-disinfectable items and clean affected areas diligently.
Parvovirus Treatment
There is no specific antiviral drug. Treatment focuses on aggressive supportive care, including antibiotics for secondary infections, anti-vomiting medication, intravenous fluids for dehydration, and other supportive therapies, usually requiring a veterinary hospital stay of 5-7 days. Treatment is not always successful, highlighting the importance of vaccination.
When to See the Vet
Parvovirus is a dangerous and often fatal disease. Contact your veterinarian immediately if your dog exhibits severe vomiting, loss of appetite, depression, or bloody diarrhea.
Rabies in Dogs
Rabies is a viral disease affecting the brain and spinal cord of mammals, including dogs, cats, and humans. While preventable through vaccination, it is nearly 100% fatal once symptoms appear.
Rabies Transmission
Rabies is primarily transmitted through the bite of an infected animal. It can also spread if infected saliva enters mucous membranes or open wounds. The risk is highest from contact with wild animals like raccoons, bats, skunks, and foxes, or in areas with unvaccinated, free-roaming pets.
Rabies Prevention
Vaccination is the most effective preventative measure and is legally required in many areas. Vaccinating your dog protects them and reduces the risk to others. Avoiding contact with wild animals and supervising your dog outdoors are also important.
Symptoms of Rabies
Symptoms typically appear two to eight weeks after exposure and can be varied:
- Behavioral changes (restlessness, aggression, irritability)
- Biting or snapping
- Licking or chewing at the bite site
- Fever
- Hypersensitivity
- Unusual appetite
- Drooling or foaming at the mouth
- Disorientation, incoordination, paralysis
- Seizures, sudden death
Saliva can transmit the virus up to ten days before symptoms manifest.
Diagnosing Rabies
There is no definitive test for rabies in live animals. Diagnosis is confirmed post-mortem via a fluorescent antibody test on brain tissue. There is no cure for rabies once symptoms appear.
If Your Dog Interacts With a Rabid Animal
Contact your veterinarian immediately. Report any aggressive wild animal to local animal control. Avoid touching your dog for up to two hours after potential exposure, wearing protective gear if necessary. A vaccinated dog bitten by a possibly rabid animal should receive a booster and be observed. If you suspect human exposure, seek medical attention immediately. Report any strangely behaving wild animals to animal control.
Ringworm in Dogs
Despite its name, ringworm is a fungal infection affecting the skin, hair, and nails. It is highly contagious and can cause patchy hair loss in dogs, spreading to other animals and humans.
Ringworm Symptoms
Classic symptoms include:
- Skin lesions, often on the head, ears, paws, and forelimbs.
- Circular, crusted bald spots, sometimes with redness in the center.
- Mild cases may show broken hairs; severe cases can affect most of the body.
- Some pets may carry the fungus without showing symptoms.
Dogs Prone to Ringworm
Puppies under one year old, malnourished, immunocompromised, or stressed dogs are more susceptible. The fungus spreads rapidly in environments with close contact between many dogs, such as kennels and shelters.
Diagnosing Ringworm
Prompt veterinary diagnosis is crucial due to its contagious nature. Veterinarians may use an ultraviolet light or examine a fungal culture from affected areas.
Treating Ringworm
Treatment depends on severity and may include medicated shampoos, ointments, or oral medications, requiring a full course as prescribed by your veterinarian. Reinfection is possible. If your dog is diagnosed, follow your vet’s instructions to prevent spread to other pets and humans. This may involve bathing all pets with medicated products, disinfecting bedding and toys, discarding non-disinfectable items, and frequent vacuuming. Wash your hands thoroughly after handling affected animals.
