Top Four Dog Killing Diseases

Taking care of your dog health and well being means knowing every threat that could harm them. To keep them safe and secure and provide sufficient food, vitamins and shelter are the basic needs but do you know the major concerns that keep your canine friends at risk? Below are the top four most dangerous and the most death causing diseases ever listed on canine statistics these past few months.

1. Canine Distemper Virus (CDV)
CDV attacks the respiratory, gastrointestinal and central nervous systems. The disease is contracted through contact with other infected dogs and can be fatal to both young and old dogs. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, fever, shivering, and redness around the eyes, loss of appetite, weight loss, seizures, thickened footpads, cough and a discharge from the nose. There is no specific treatment, but sometimes antibiotics can be effective. However, dog vaccination exists and should always be administered.

2. Canine Adenovirus or Infectious Canine Hepatitis (ICH)
Infectious Canine Hepatitis (ICH) is an acute liver disease, and highly contagious. The virus is transmitted through bodily fluids like urine, eye or nose secretions. Young and old dogs can be affected by ICH, but puppies are at a higher risk. Symptoms include fever, loss of appetite, vomiting, jaundice and corneal edema, though a blood test is needed to make a final diagnosis. Many dogs recover, but it's best to prevent ICH through a simple vaccination.

3. Para Influenza or Tracheobronchitis (aka Kennel Cough)
The common name for Tracheobronchitis is Kennel Cough because of its propensity for spreading in close quarters, such as in a boarding kennel. It's highly contagious and attacks the dog's upper respiratory system. Like bronchitis in humans, the symptoms are coughing, snorting, hacking and sometimes fever. Kennel Cough can be treated with antibiotics or prevented through vaccination.

4. Rabies
Rabies is not just a dog disease; it will affect all mammals that are not vaccinated against the disease. Rabies directly attacks the brain and the prognosis is often deadly. This common disease can be easily prevented through vaccination. In many states, vaccination for domestic pets is absolutely mandatory.

Many dog lovers have suffered a great loss and emotional struggle and this is indeed a big deal to dog lovers who treated their dogs as family and friend. Many dog owners invested a lot for their dog health but uncertain things might just happened and you lose them because of lack of knowledge and preventive measures. If you are truly devoted to your dogs and cared for them, know the diseases, protect your dog health, be prepared at all times and take note of the procedures to fight dreadful diseases. Always remember, your dog is your responsibility.