The last thing any dog owner wants is to know their pup is hurting and not know why—or even worse, not know he or she is in pain at all! That’s why it’s so important that every pet owner knows the signs and symptoms of the most common dog illnesses so they can be diagnosed and treated as quickly as possible.
If your dog is acting abnormally or exhibiting any signs of illness, contact Germantown Vet right away by calling 240-252-7467240-252-7467!
Common Dog Illnesses & Symptoms
At Germantown Vet, our experienced veterinarians get the question “what’s wrong with my dog?” quite often. Although it is impossible to accurately diagnosis your dog’s illness without a thorough examination and, in some cases, testing, we have a list of some of the most common illnesses and the symptoms your dog would likely exhibit.
Ear Infections
Ear infections are incredibly common among our puppy patients. They can be caused by allergies, bacteria, yeast, ear mites, and much more. Although an ear infection generally isn’t life threatening for your dog, if it’s left untreated it can be incredibly uncomfortable—and even painful—for your pet as the infection gets worse. However, if you bring your dog in at the first sign of an ear infection, we can get a diagnosis and start treatment immediately.
Symptoms:
- Head shaking and head tilting
- Foul ear odor
- Scratching at the ears
- Lack of balance
- Redness of the ear canal, can be accompanied by swelling
- Sensitivity to ears being touched
- Brown, yellow, or bloody discharge
Worms
Parasites such as tapeworms, roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms are very common internal parasites that can be incredibly uncomfortable for your dog—and in some cases, even fatal. Treatment depends on the type of worm your dog has, and it must be accurately diagnosed to be treated. Bring your dog into the vet at the first sign of worms.
Symptoms:
- Diarrhea (possibly bloody)
- Weight loss
- Change in appetite
- Rough, dry coat (this is a result of malnutrition)
- Scooting butt on the floor
- Deteriorating appearance
Kennel Cough
This highly contagious disease attacks the respiratory system of your dog. Kennel cough (also known by Bordetella, the bacteria that causes it) can be prevented through a vaccination, which is highly recommended if your dog is going to be interacting with other dogs, such as in a kennel, park, or someone’s home. This disease is generally mild, but can progress to pneumonia if it isn’t treated by a professional vet.
Symptoms:
- Chronic, dry cough
- Severe coughing leading to vomiting or gagging
- Nasal discharge
- Watery eyes
Mange
There are two types of fleas that cause mange: sarcoptic mites and demodectic mites. Sarcoptic mange is caused by a small parasite similar to a chigger that burrows under the skin. It is very easily transferred from one dog to another. This is relatively easy to treat once it has been diagnosed.
Demodectic mange, on the other hand, is when the mite destroys the hair follicle in which they reside. This cannot be passed from one dog to another and is thought to be hereditary. It is seen most frequently in purebred dogs and can be very difficult to treat. It’s important to have this diagnosed immediately.
Symptoms:
- Hair loss
- Skin irritation
- Severe scratching (can lead to infection)
Other Common Illnesses
There are some other common illnesses that some dogs face, including distemper, hepatitis, parvo, and rabies; however, all of these can and should be prevented through vaccination. Many of these diseases are fatal, so it’s crucial that your pet is properly vaccinated every year.
Schedule Your Appointment Today
If your pet is exhibiting any of these common signs of illness, it’s important to call Germantown Vet right away to schedule an appointment. Until a diagnosis has been made by one of our trained veterinarians, treatment can’t begin—so the sooner you come in, the sooner your pup will be on his or her way to a happy, healthy life. Contact us today!
*All content contained on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a diagnosis by a professional.*
