Dogs are prone to a list of diseases many of which can easily be prevented with proper care and routine vaccinations. The common diseases in dogs that cause the most ailment include heartworm disease, rabies, Lyme disease, parvovirus, Distemper. In most cases, simple annual or biannual vaccinations will prevent these common diseases in dogs. Here is a look at the symptoms and prevention tips for the top 5 preventable diseases in dogs.
Heartworm Disease in Dogs: Heartworms are spread by mosquitoes making this disease a common ailment for dogs year round. The heartworm larvae travel from mosquito to the dog and will multiply to a point that the dog will eventually have a heart attack or a congestive heart failure due to the ventricles of the heart being overwhelmed with long parasitic worms. A blood test can be performed to determine if a dog has heartworm disease. The American Animal Hospital Association reports that heartworms are one of the most preventable diseases in dogs that are often left untreated. To prevent heartworms, veterinarians suggest a monthly preventative pill or medication such as Heartguard that will keep a dog from contracting this disease if an infected mosquito were to bite it.
Rabies: Another preventable disease in dogs is rabies. Rabies is an infection of the central nervous system that once contracted is fatal to a dog. In order for a dog to contract the rabies virus it must be bitten by an infected animal but once infected the dog will have to be put to sleep to prevent further spreading of the disease to other animals or humans. Rabies is one of many preventable diseases in dogs but this disease is one that dog owners are required by law to maintain prevention and control of. While the American Animal Hospital Association recommends a rabies booster every three years, state statutes differ in their requirements on how often a vaccine must be administered for legal purposes to prevent rabies.
Lyme Disease: Lyme disease is contracted through the bite of a tick. This preventable disease in dogs will cause arthritis and fever which can eventually kill the animal. While a Lyme disease vaccination is not always common it is offered primarily to dogs that are likely to come into contact with ticks. Tick prevention medications that are given on a monthly basis will also help to prevent this disease in dogs.
Parvovirus: This is another one of many common diseases in dogs that is highly preventable with a simple vaccination. The American Animal Hospital Association reports that parvovirus is a disease that tends to linger in the environment for a long time and that proper vaccination against this deadly disease is highly recommended. Symptoms of parvovirus include diarrhea and vomiting due to the intestinal ramifications of this deadly disease in dogs.
Distemper: Sometimes known as Canine Distemper, The Journal of the American Animal hospital reports that this common disease in dogs causes vomiting, pneumonia, and in some cases brain damage that can result in a fatal outcome for a dog. This preventable disease in dogs requires vaccination on an annual or triannual basis to keep your pet healthy and safe as following the guidelines of the American Animal Hospital Association Canine Vaccine Task Force.
Sources:
Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association, www.jaaha.org
American Animal Hospital Association, Canine Vaccine Guidelines, www.aahanet.org
