A Brief Account: Your Dog’s Health, Fitness and Disease Prevention and Cure

Dogs have been have stayed beside man as history itself is a witness. They have served men, as partners, as guards and as lifesavers. Men owe a lot to dogs and what they owe most, not just to dogs, rather to animal-kind on the whole, is the assurity of their health and wellbeing. To make sure that The pampered Pup of yours receive proper treatment if ever afflicted with a disease or a life-threatening situation. For this, one must know which disease might be confronted by their community and how we must deal with them. 

Therefore, below we have listed for you, some of the common diseases faced by dogs and how we can help manage and reduce their pain. 

Canine Parvovirus 

Amongst one of the deadliest diseases, Is parvovirus. It is found to be contagious if a dog comes in contact with the fecal matter of another dog sick with parvovirus. Symptoms involve fever, vomiting, dehydration, weight loss, diarrhea and signs of fatigue 

It is difficult to treat if spread across organs. The vet though, recommends the intake of a good quantity of fluids and electrolytes. It is fatal mostly, hence prevention in this case, is definitely of key importance. Making sure that they stay away from feces and get vaccinated for parvovirus beforehand is helpful in keeping them safe and healthy. 

Food Allergies

Dogs are bound to scratch many times a day, but if you find your dog scratching a great deal, you might as well get him checked, as some dogs tend to develop food allergies from corns, wheat and soy found in most dog foods. It is a good idea to switch over to lamb or rice to reduce the allergic reaction caused by certain dog foods.

Other than the items mentioned above, sometimes bacterial and yeast infections can be a cause of their excessive scratching and can lead to “hotspots”, a production of very painful sores, more common in dogs with thick fur. Getting a proper diagnosis is key. The vet might recommend a change in diet, shampoo, some anti-biotics or ointments.  

Pancreatitis

A disease that affects millions of dogs a year but yet, recovers in a few days if not that severe. Pancreatitis involves inflammation in your dog’s pancreas.  It is more likely to happen if your dog eats something foreign, something that your dog usually doesn’t eat. It upsets the dog’s pancreatic balance. (Since the pancreas control the blood sugar level for insulin) it is important in the digestion system of your dog. 

The pampered Pup of yours would certainly need to be caught before any major damage happens and hence it is necessary for all dog lovers to make sure they catch their dogs when they note something fishy such as obvious distress that might catch their attention. 

Some symptoms that might help your recognize pancreatitis may be, excessive panting, weakness, difficulty breathing, vomiting, hunching of the back, air licking, lack of appetite, diarrhea, lack of thirst, fever and retching of the neck. It can be either acute or chronic based on the kind of symptoms experienced. 

It is better to give his pancreas some rest, by not giving your dog water or feeding him for 24 hours until you are able to get your dog checked by a vet. 

Heartworm

This term is a literal term. The disease living up to its literal meaning. Sadly, pups/dogs, being affected with Heartworms are actually invaded by heartworms in their heart. These creatures are parasites that create chaos when they enter blood vessels and lungs. They are transferred in dogs by carriers such as mosquitos. 

The symptoms include feeling lethargic, coughing, heart disease, loss of weight and respiratory issues. Preventions here, can be annual blood tests and checkups to a vet. Taking regular pills and getting your dog’s their shots is a good way of helping them stay safe. The pills help kill the larva before they mature into full heartworms. Since it is causes by a mosquito one must remember to take preventive measures as this disease has been prevalent not just in hot or mild climates rather also cold ones. 

General Guidelines and Tips for Keeping Your Dog Healthy. 

One of the best ways of keeping your dog healthy and happy can be providing him with the right kind of nutrition that he needs. This will help prevent obesity and all related diseases and will help him remain fit and healthy. Taking some health supplements can be helpful, only on the recommendation of your veterinarian. 

Exercise such as hiking, playing fetch, going for a swim and especially regular walks can keep your dog fit and active. You can engage your dog in new and novel activities that involve the use of his reflexes and also his senses such as smell. Helping him grow in distinguishing and recognizing new smells. 

Cleanliness is essential, not just for your pet but also for yourself. As your day is spent with your dog, his hygiene also plays a part in your hygiene. You can maintain it by making sure your dog’s nails are trimmed, his fur brushed and his baths held regularity. Make sure his skin isn’t going dry and that he isn’t having any lumps on it. Giving your pet a regular or partly regular checkup at a vet for his hygiene is a tip you can hold on to. 

All in all, Pets can be a huge responsibility and their wellness and health go hand in hand with the love and care their owners give them. For your dog to stay safe, keeping him active requires regular walks and involvement in all sorts of activities that test their abilities and keeping him healthy requires you to keep in touch with a veterinarian. Ultimately, it depends on you how healthy your pets are, as most diseases and illnesses can be a result of lack of care and regular checkups. Which if maintained properly can help your dog stay healthy and fit. 

References:

The Most Common Dog Illnesses: Symptoms and Treatment (petresort.com)

How To Comfort A Dog With Pancreatitis (Proper Care & Diet) (thepamperedpup.com)

8 deadly dog diseases (policygenius.com)