![Five diseases that are totally preventable in dogs]()
We never want to see our pets suffer, and fortunately some canine illnesses are easily preventable. Here are a few avoidable doggy diseases.
Five diseases that are totally preventable in dogs
In the wild, animals improve their chances of survival by not showing signs of weakness, but at home, this can lead our pets to suffer from undetected disease. Fortunately, some of the deadliest diseases dogs can catch are easily preventable. Here is a list of a few problems you can prevent from affecting your pet:
Parvo: Also known as Canine Parovirus, parvo can cause severe diarrhea and weight loss, vomiting, and lethargy. Symptoms can be so severe that they lead to septic shock. This virus is fatal in around 50 percent of dogs, but it can be prevented by giving puppies a vaccine. Most dogs contract parvo through contact with an infected dog, making parvo much more common in shelters and breeding facilities.
Heartworm Disease: This deadly disease is caused when a dog is bitten by an infected mosquito, but is entirely preventable with heartworm medication. Mosquitos can be found even in dry climates, so it is a good idea to give your dog preventative heartworm treatment year-round, even if you live in a low-risk area. The treatment for heartworm is costly and painful for your pet, but preventatives are available in convenient chewable, topical and injectable forms.
Lyme Disease: This tick-borne illness is caused by bacteria transmitted by deer ticks, which live in tall grass and woods. Ticks must be attached to dogs for at least 18 hours to transmit the disease, so preventative treatments can curb most cases of Lyme disease. Protect your pet with topical treatments; chewable tablets; or medicated collars that repel ticks. You can also try to keep your dog away from tick-prone areas and check him for ticks after he has been outdoors. If not treated, Lyme disease can lead to stiffness, loss of appetite, and even kidney disease and failure. Treatment requires antibiotics and symptoms do not always disappear completely.
Kennel Cough: Dogs who share a space with other canines are at risk for contracting kennel cough. This highly contagious respiratory disease spreads both through the air and by contact. Puppies are especially susceptible to the disease, but it can be prevented with a vaccine. Though kennel cough isn’t fatal, dogs experience symptoms such as fever, loss of appetite, and lethargy in addition to sneezing and a runny nose.
Renal Failure: Also known as kidney disease, renal failure typically develops slowly over a dog’s lifetime. Though old-age kidney failure cannot be prevented, there is one cause is avoidable in pets: dental disease. By keeping Fido’s teeth clean from bacteria, you help stop it from entering his bloodstream, where it can damage his organs, including the kidneys. Brush your dog’s teeth regularly—at least once per week— and use dental chews to help remove plaque and keep Fido’s chompers clean. You should also have your vet clean and examine your pet’s teeth during his annual exam to ensure your dog’s mouth stays healthy.
![Five reasons your dog smells bad & how to help]()
Dogs are famous for rolling in rotten things, but sometimes bad odor is a sign of a serious health problem that requires veterinary care.
Five reasons your dog smells bad & how to help
Dogs are famous for their bad breath and “Frito feet,” but sometimes Fido seriously stinks. Foul odors can be a symptom of a serious health problem, so it is important to investigate what is causing them. Here are a few reasons your companion may smell bad and how you can address each of them:
1. Stinky skin: Brushing your dog can help remove dead skin, dirt and other malodorous matter from his coat. Do this regularly and be sure to keep your pet’s bedding clean, too, to help eliminate bad odors coming from his skin. If you are grooming and bathing your pet regularly and his coat still stinks, however, he may by experiencing seasonal or food allergies that can cause inflammation of the skin. Poor diet can cause smelly skin, so be sure you are feeding your pet high-quality food.
2. Bad breath: Unpleasant breath is typically caused by accumulation of bacteria in your pet’s mouth. While regular tooth brushing can help eliminate dog breath caused by tartar build-up, sometimes your companion experiences a more serious dental infection that requires veterinary care, such as pulling an infected tooth. In less common cases, bad breath can also be a symptom of infection of your pet’s kidney, liver or other organs. If Fido’s breath is seriously stinky and persists, take him to the vet to diagnose the problem.
3. Bad Gas: Occasional gas is normal for dogs, but excessive flatulence can be a sign something is wrong. Your dog may simply need a different diet, or he may be experiencing a more serious health problem such as inflammatory bowel disease. Whatever the cause, your veterinarian can help identify the underlying reason for your companion’s exceptionally bad gas.
4. Ear infections: Bacteria and yeast thrive in the wrinkles of skin around dogs’ ears, which can lead to a bad odor. Clean your companion’s ears regularly to help prevented infections, especially if he is a floppy eared breed. If your pet already has a serious infection in his ears, take him to the veterinarian to treat the problem.
5. Anal sacs: Smelly secretions from Fido’s rear end are one of the most common causes behind bad odor. All dogs have scent glands on their posteriors, which they use for marking. When these anal sacs become impacted, it does not just create a seriously bad smell, but can be painful for your pet. If your dog is emitting an exceptionally bad odor or is scooting across the floor, it is time to visit your veterinarian to determine if this is due to impacted anal glands and enlist his help to alleviate the problem.
Though dogs sometimes smell from rolling around in something rotten, some odors are the symptom of a serious health problem. By understanding what bad smells coming from his ears, mouth or other body part can indicate, you can catch health problems early and address them with your veterinarian.
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