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Dealing With Common Dog Symptoms

By Geraldine Dimarco


Dogs are a loveable breed - the prevalent pet of choice for most people. As such, studies on dog health problems abound that will help pet owners understand potentially harmful diseases and what can be done to prevent and cure them effectively.

There are several kinds of dog diseases. A lot of them are caused by contaminated organisms that disrupt the system of the canine by infecting them. Fleas and ticks, examples of pesky organisms, are more often remedied through medicated soaps and shampoos that specifically deal with these external parasites.

Internal parasites warrant more concern as they are often more dangerous and less evident in the initial stages. Hookworms, tapeworms, intestinal worms and heartworms cause severe discomfort for the canine that has been infested. You can avoid this primarily by maintaining as clean an environment as you can for the dog and providing a nutritious and good diet for him.

Rabies is a viral sickness that has long been associated with dogs. Dogs catch rabies when they have been bitten by another infected animal like a raccoon or bat or another dog. This is easily preventable by having your pet regularly vaccinated for rabies. Other viral diseases include herpes virus, distemper, parvovirus, canine hepatitis and influenza.

Any change in the dogs behavior should be monitored closely. Unless it is brought about by natural circumstances like the atmosphere, environment or having a new visitor, you must watch out for any changes because this will be indicative of canine sicknesses he already has. Correctly reading dog symptoms will help your dog immensely.

Changes like depression, restlessness, weight loss, shaking and falling, lethargy and sleepiness should raise a red flag to pet owners. Wait for any improvements for a few days and keep their environment as stress free as possible so as not to aggravate their condition. Record the period when the change began and the patterns, if any, of this new behavior. If the canine still exhibits the worrisome symptoms, go to the vet for a check-up.

Canines cannot adequately communicate whatever discomfort they may be feeling. Some breeds in particular have a high threshold for pain so finding out the source of their problem is challenging to their owner. Other than crying and yelping that dogs do, see their posture and how they carry themselves. If they are stooped forward and lick at parts of their bodies, it is most likely the cause of the pain.

Loss of appetite, hair loss, lumps and discolorations in the canines skin, coughing, vomiting and a foul smell in the ears, eyes and nose are other dog symptoms that you should be aware of. Also, dogs that are sick will strain to urinate and only in small amounts so watch out for this. Look out for any discharge in the eyes and nose as well.

Dog health problems are unfortunate but most are easily addressed and treated when you have correctly diagnosed the condition. Visit your veterinarian regularly to arrest any infection in the beginning stages and ensure your dog's well-being.




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