Dog diseases can appear with varying degrees of severity and different symptoms: in some cases, they are serious but curable illnesses, but unfortunately, in others we are dealing with viruses that can seriously harm the health of our four-legged friend.
Knowing the most common conditions could help you prevent issues and act promptly, but since many initial symptoms are similar to each other, we recommend you consult your trusted veterinarian.
The 7 most common dog diseases to watch out for:
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Anaplasmosis
Also called "dog fever", it is a bacterial infection that appears about two weeks after infection. Symptoms can include loss of appetite, lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, and fever. -
Canine Borreliosis
A bacterial disease commonly known as "Lyme disease", transmitted by forest ticks. Symptoms can develop months after the bite and include fever, loss of appetite, swollen joints, and fatigue. -
Ehrlichiosis
It is a parasite that attacks the body’s red blood cells. It can be divided into three phases: acute, subacute, and chronic. Symptoms range from exhaustion and weight loss, to various types of bleeding, tremors, or atrophy. -
Canine Hepatitis
Also called Cav-1, it is caused by an adenovirus that mostly affects the liver. It can appear as mild or acute, but if left untreated, it can be fatal. -
strong>Heartworm Disease
It is a lethal parasite transmitted by mosquito bites, which travels through the bloodstream to reach and settle in the heart chambers and blood vessels of a dog’s heart. -
Rabies
This well-known disease is caused by a virus that directly attacks the nervous system, a very serious and currently incurable condition. Rabies causes our four-legged friend to develop severe behavioral problems, ranging from fear to aggressiveness. As the disease progresses, fever, paralysis, or seizures set in, leading to death. -
Leishmaniasis
A serious disease that affects various organs and systems, including the skin, eyes, joints, and kidneys. The symptoms are so varied and general that it is difficult to diagnose accurately.
The list may be worrying, but if you pay proper attention to your dog, almost all these conditions can be cured when symptoms first appear. That is why it is important to take the necessary precautions and always consult your veterinarian.