| Dogs are truly man's best friend. These loyal, | | | | 2. Canine Adenovirus or Infectious Canine Hepatitis |
| loving, protective and playful creatures have | | | | (ICH) |
| served beside man for thousands of years with | | | | Infectious Canine Hepatitis (ICH) is an acute liver |
| an undying and relentless devotion. It's hard to | | | | disease, and highly contagious. The virus is |
| repay such a service of love, commitment and | | | | transmitted through bodily fluids like urine, eye or |
| duty. When put to the basics, we provide our | | | | nose secretions. Young and old dogs can be |
| dogs with shelter, healthy nutrition, exercise and | | | | affected by ICH, but puppies are at a higher risk. |
| friendship. However, a dog's health and well-being | | | | Symptoms include fever, loss of appetite, |
| sometimes goes beyond the basics, requiring an | | | | vomiting, jaundice and corneal edema, though a |
| owner with an eye for disease risks and proper | | | | blood test is needed to make a final diagnosis. |
| veterinary care. | | | | Many dogs recover, but it's best to prevent ICH |
| If you're a dog owner, you should make sure | | | | through a simple vaccination. |
| your animal sees a qualified veterinarian on a | | | | 3. Para Influenza or Tracheobronchitis (aka Kennel |
| regular basis. The range of diseases, parasites and | | | | Cough) |
| genetic conditions that dogs can succumb to is | | | | The common name for Tracheobronchitis is |
| vast, so it's important to keep up your pet's | | | | Kennel Cough because of its propensity for |
| vaccines, stick to regular check-ups and also | | | | spreading in close quarters, such as in a boarding |
| know what to look for. | | | | kennel. It's highly contagious and attacks the dog's |
| Keep reading to learn about some of the most | | | | upper respiratory system. Like bronchitis in |
| dangerous and fatal diseases that can afflict your | | | | humans, the symptoms are coughing, snorting, |
| beloved pet along with effective prevention | | | | hacking and sometimes fever. Kennel Cough can |
| methods. | | | | be treated with antibiotics or prevented through |
| 1. Canine Distemper Virus (CDV) | | | | vaccination. |
| CDV attacks the respiratory, gastrointestinal and | | | | 4. Rabies |
| central nervous systems. The disease is | | | | Rabies is not just a dog disease; it will affect all |
| contracted through contact with other infected | | | | mammals that are not vaccinated against the |
| dogs and can be fatal to both young and old dogs. | | | | disease. Rabies directly attacks the brain and the |
| Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, fever, | | | | prognosis is often deadly. This common disease |
| shivering, redness around the eyes, loss of | | | | can be easily prevented through vaccination. In |
| appetite, weight loss, seizures, thickened footpads, | | | | many states, vaccination for domestic pets is |
| cough and a discharge from the nose. There is no | | | | absolutely mandatory. |
| specific treatment, but sometimes antibiotics can | | | | In short, keep your dog healthy by making sure it |
| be effective. However, a vaccine exists and | | | | gets regular vaccinations. Almost all diseases are |
| should always be administered. | | | | preventable. |