Most Common Canine Health Problems

While we can’t catch each others colds, dog and human medicine have more in common than you might think. Dogs and humans share diseases such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and even depression. Some illnesses are unique to dogs, but others are similar to those we face. Here are the 8 most common health problems our dogs face:

1. Heart Disease: Dogs are just like people in that they can be born with inherent heart problems or develop them in middle age. Heart disease in dogs manifests itself in two forms. On one hand the valves lose the ability to close properly, causing abnormal blood flow. On the other hand, the muscle walls of the heart become thin and weak leading to possible heart failure. Dogs are also just like people in the respect that moderate exercise and a healthy diet help to minimize the risks of acquiring hear disease.

2. Heartworm Disease: This disease develops when a dog is bitten by a mosquito carrying microscopic heartworm larvae of a parasitic worm known as Dirofilaria immitis. The larvae enter the dog and grow and settle in his heart and lungs. This can cause lung disease and heart failure. Heartworms are easily preventable with a monthly pill or topical treatment available from your Vet for a nominal cost.

3. Canine Distemper: Distemper is a virus that occurs wherever there are dogs. It is extremely contagious through respiratory secretions and can be obtained through contact with excrement. Fatality rates among puppies can reach 80%. While the disease is not as common in older dogs a bout with Distemper can permanently damage their nervous system, cause blindness and paralysis. This disease is easy to prevent through proper vaccinations of puppies and continued yearly vaccinations throughout the dog’s life.

4. Canine Parvovirus: Also known as CPV, this virus is highly contagious and attacks the intestinal track, white blood cells and the heart muscle. It is spread by dog to dog contact and fecal matter and can survive for long periods of time outside of the body. Thankfully, yearly vaccinations will prevent this disease.

5. Canine Bordetellosis: Also known as Bordetella or Kennel Cough, Bordetellosis is caused by bacteria present in the respiratory tracts of animals and can result is a condition which presents a severe and chronic cough accompanied by nasal discharge. While most cases of kennel cough are treatable with antibiotics, the condition can cause death in young dogs or dogs with weakened immune systems. The best cause of prevention is nasal spray administered by your Veterinarian during your dog’s annual check up. Most kennels and boarding facilities require Bordetella prevention before accepting your dogs for boarding as the condition is common in boarding facilities, hence the name kennel cough.

6. Canine Parainfluenza: Similar to the human flu, Parainfluenza is a virus causing respiratory tract infection. This condition is preventable through a combination of vaccinations and is not typically fatal.

7. Canine Leptospirosis: This disease is bacterial and impairs renal (kidney) functions in dogs. It is spread through contact with urine and can cause impaired vision, convulsions and kidney failure. This is one of the diseases preventable through yearly vaccinations and can be completely prevented.

8. Rabies: Rabies is an acute viral infection that attacks the central nervous system. The disease is fatal and can go undetected for months in some cases. Rabies is spread through animal bites and can be contagious and fatal to humans as well. Most counties in the United States require proof of rabies vaccination in household pets because of the deadly nature of the disease and its threat to humans. This requirement has caused a significant decline in rabies cases occurring within the US. Most cases of rabies are reported from wild animal bites rather than dog bites.

While many of these diseases are deadly, prevention is relatively painless and inexpensive. Routine annual exams and vaccinations can completely protect your pet from most of the conditions on this list. While there are many other conditions effecting health of our pets, protection against these common diseases is the cornerstone of our dog’s good health.

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