For years, dogs have been our faithful companions, staying with us when no one is around. Dogs have evolved to live alongside humans, and thus, they have got the tendency to develop diseases that are similar to those found in humans.
Dogs can get cancer, diabetes, heartworm, and other illnesses just like humans do. These conditions affect dogs in various ways, but it’s essential that you know about them so that you can take action early on if you witness such symptoms in your dog.
Different diseases vary in nature, duration, and treatment options, but all have one thing in common – prescription medicines. Medicines coupled with preventive measures are an effective way to treat any disease. PetCareRx is the one-stop solution for different kinds of pet medications, helping pet owners manage various chronic conditions.
Cancer
Cancer is a disease in which cells multiply rapidly and uncontrollably. Dogs can develop cancer in any part of their body, although body parts like the mouth, skin, or bone marrow are more prone to this disease. At times, dogs are born with specific genetic disorders that make them more susceptible to developing cancer later in life.
Cancer cells can spread from their origin (called metastasis) to different parts of the body—this is called metastatic cancer. If this occurs, there are very few treatment options that may not be effective due to the speed at which cancer cells reproduce and spread throughout the body.
Hence, it is really important to diagnose this disease early in order to treat it effectively. For that, you need regular vet visits as he will run all the diagnostic tests it takes to determine what’s wrong with your dog. Once the disease is confirmed, your vet can discuss different treatment options along with risks and side effects.
Diabetes Mellitus
In Diabetes Mellitus, your dog’s body does not produce enough insulin or cannot use it properly. There are three forms of diabetes mellitus: type 1, which is an autoimmune condition; type 2, which is linked with obesity and may be cured through diet and exercise; and gestational diabetes (GD), a temporary form of diabetes that usually occurs during pregnancy.
Dogs can suffer from all three types of the disease, but GD is most prevalent in female dogs who have just given birth or are expecting puppies. Symptoms include increased thirstiness, increased urination, weight loss despite an increase in appetite, weakness or lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation. If you witness any of these symptoms in your dog after giving birth to puppies—particularly if you’ve noticed that she’s not eating well at all, consider taking her for immediate treatment by your veterinarian. This will ensure she doesn’t develop any more serious complications.
To avoid GD from developing into full-blown diabetes mellitus, give your female dog only high-quality commercial foods made particularly for breeding females and avoid giving her table scraps having lots of carbohydrates like breaded chicken tenders. In addition, keep her fit with regular exercise routines both indoors and outdoors and give a lot of fresh water throughout each day, so she doesn’t need to drink more than usual while nursing newborns.
Heartworm
Heartworm is a disease that affects the heart and lungs of your dog. It is not actually a worm but a parasitic worm that damages the heart and lungs of dogs. The good news is that it can be treated successfully if caught early.
Mosquitoes that carry the larvae of this parasite can transmit heartworm disease. When bitten by an infected mosquito, these larvae enter your dog’s body through their skin tissue and travel to their heart. If left untreated, this infection could lead to severe organ failure or even death.
Luckily, there are preventative medications available at all times so that you don’t have to worry about whether or not your dog has contracted this potentially fatal condition.
Heart Disease
Heart diseases are prevalent in dogs, and some breeds are more prone to these diseases than others. The early sign of heart disease is your dog panting or getting tired easily during exercise. As your dog ages, they will likely show signs like difficulty breathing when they are resting, coughing or wheezing that comes on suddenly, a lack of energy, and increased thirst.
If you witness any of these symptoms in your dog, it’s essential to take them to the vet as soon as possible so they can figure out if there is something wrong with their heart.
Summing Up
These are the four most common dog diseases. These all have different symptoms and treatments, so it is essential to be aware when your dog has one of these diseases.
However, you can always take preventive measures like a high-quality diet, regular exercise, vet visits, and others that can go a long way in ensuring that your dog lives a healthy and happy life. Regular check-ups are essential to help detect any underlying conditions before they manifest themselves into serious diseases.
