Deutsche Seite
Version française
Al sito italiano


Impressum
Sitemap

Dog:  Most frequent diseases.   Vet Dr. Tiger gives information and advice.

There are a great many diseases dogs may catch. Only the       most important ones will be described hereafter and at the       same time possibilities for vaccination will be mentioned. The       pet owner who sees his dog behaving strangely and       abnormally or even showing clear signs of an organic       disease, is urgently asked to go to see the vet. The quicklier a       diagnosis is made and a specific therapy induced, the       speedier a recovery of the animal can be expected. In the 8th       week of age the pups ought to be vaccinated against canine       distemper, hepatitis, canine pest and kennel cough. This       basic immunization requires twice repeated vaccination.       Depending on instructions, a vaccination against rabies is also necessary. Most of the diseases dogs are attacked by are harmless for human beings. This is not true of rabies which is transmissible to human beings. Caution must also be exercised with regard to transmissible parasites: Ascarids and tapeworms with partly dangerous species, tick infestation as well as, somewhat less harmless, flea infestation and acariasis. A summary of the most frequently occuring dog diseases is to be seen on the next table.

Disease	Causes	Symptoms	Visit veterinarian?
Canine distemper	Viral infection, transmissible	Fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, ocular inflammations, nasal catarrh, sometimes even canine distemper of the nerves with spasmodic attacks	Go to see the vet at once
Transmissible inflammation of the liver (hepatitis)	Viral infection, transmissible	Fever, inflammation of the throat, diarrhoea, different look of the eyes, central nervous disorder, abdominal pains	Go to see the vet at once
Canine leptospirosis	Bacterial infection	Fever, weakness, vomiting, diarrhoea, different look of the eyes, maybe liver and kidney failure	Go to see the vet at once
Kennel cough	Viral infection, transmissible	Nasal discharge, heavy cough, maybe fever and general disorder up to pneumonia	Go to see the vet at once
Canine pest (Derzsy's disease of goslings)	Viral infection, transmissible	Fever or low body temperature, tiredness, vomiting and especially diarrhoea, watery to bloody	Go to see the vet at once
Canine distemper	Virus, transmission especially by game	Change in nature, excessive salivation, aggressiveness, bites	After suspicious contact consult the vet at once
Stomach and intestine disorder	Diverse, e.g. infections, intestinal parasites, diseases of the liver and the kidneys	In case of diarrhoea withdraw feed for 24 hours giving, however enough water, then start feeding again in small portions, using frequently boiled rice and chicken	In case no improvement is to be seen within one to two days, consult the vet
Helminthosis	Especially ascarids and tapeworms	Unspecified, emaciation, diarrhoea, inflated belly, dull coat	Regular deworming
Tick infestation	Ticks are able to transmit diseases	Blood engorged ticks like inflated, brown-white things in the size of a pea	Immediate removing by unscrewing and immediate disinfection
Flea infestation	Fleas	Irritation by itching, inflammations, infection, flea-borne tapeworms	Dogcollars, powder, lozenges, in case of infestation disinfection of dog basket and kennel
Acariasis	Diverse, e.g. mange and ear mites	Irritation by itching, inflammations, infection, mite-borne tapeworms	Consult a vet
Injuries	Fights, car accidents	Bleeding and encrusted wounds, fractures	Consult a vet, depending on the seriousness of the injury

Self-Medication

For the treatment of ear mite infestation, flea infestation, small injuries, diarrhoea and the like it is recommended for the experienced pet owner to have some drugs in stock. It is not necessary to have a cupboardful of medecine ready, just a few medicaments are enough. If the relationship with the vet is a good one, he will be pleased to give specialist advice for self-treatment which will help to spare excessive expenses. The treatment of ear disease as well as of ocular and intestinal diseases can often also be carried out by oneself. Moreover, laymen can learn how to administer liquors and pills, how to fix neck collars which are needed to hinder the dog from removing dressings and seams, how to change and renew dressings, how to take the temperature. It is recommended to practice opening the mouth at a time when th dog is yet a pup!

Emergency situations

A dog victim of an accident must at all events be brought to the vet's office, even if on the face of it nothing out of the ordinary can be discovered. In case of fractures, transportation has to be carried out with utmost care. Watch out! Your own dog might bite in pain!

When to consult the veterinarian?

At first, one should go to see the vet in order to have the dog inoculated and re-inoculated against canine distemper, hepatitis, canine leptospirosis and kennel cough. At this occasion, the vet will also inform you if and under what circumstances (e.g. journey abroad) vaccination against rabies is necessary. From the age of 15 up, twice repeated basic immunization against Derzsy's disease of goslings is done, with a re-immunization every year. A classical case for the vet is the castration. As far as male dogs are concerned, this is a relatively small operation, for bitches, however, it is a case of greater proportions. As a rule, castration is carried out for reasons of birth control but also to treat behaviour and health problems controlled by hormones. In case alarming symptomes occur, the vet has to be consulted at once!