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Dog disease: The preventative measures

By Vanessa Rodriguez

TOKYO, JAPAN - APRIL 12: Chocolate, a miniature dachshund receives acupuncture therapy from veterinarian Satoshi Okada to help with lumbar disk herniation, at the Marina Street Okada animal hospital on April 12, 2013 in Tokyo Japan. The number of pet dogs in Japan has been increasing steadily to 11.5 million animals, almost one-fifth households. One-tenth of Japanese families have at least one dog, according to the survey of Japan Pet Food Association. (Photo by Adam Pretty/Getty Images)
TOKYO, JAPAN - APRIL 12: Chocolate, a miniature dachshund receives acupuncture therapy from veterinarian Satoshi Okada to help with lumbar disk herniation, at the Marina Street Okada animal hospital on April 12, 2013 in Tokyo Japan. The number of pet dogs in Japan has been increasing steadily to 11.5 million animals, almost one-fifth households. One-tenth of Japanese families have at least one dog, according to the survey of Japan Pet Food Association. (Photo by Adam Pretty/Getty Images) /
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In order to prevent dog disease take your dog in for yearly screenings and blood work. Some diagnoses will need medication or rehabilitation. Early detection is crucial for diseases. They can also advise you about dog exercise and nutrition. Here are some common diseases your vet will advise you to look out for.

Heartworm

Your dog should be tested annually for this dog disease. Medicine is given when they are a puppy, but as they get older, screen them before prescribing medication. Heartworm occurs when an infected larvae (from a mosquito) enters your dogs bloodstream. Within six months it can travel to their lungs and heart. Symptoms include but aren’t limited to, weight loss, fatigue, labored breathing, and coughing. While some infected with the disease won’t exhibit symptoms until it’s too late. Heartworm is fatal, so get your dog tested yearly, especially if you live in a humid climate.

Rabies

Rabies is common in areas where there are wild animals such as raccoons, wolves, skunks or foxes. The best preventative action is to control of your dog in the wild. Keep them on a lead, or if your dog is well-trained, keep an eye out for him. The disease is contracted through saliva in an open wound, so a bite is often the cause. If your dog is bitten, handle them with gloves, keeping away from the infected saliva. Take your dog to the hospital. Also, contact animal control so that the animal with rabies is contained. Your dog is quarantined, but they can survive this common dog disease. Just be cautious in areas where wild animals roam.

Cancer

While we don’t know what causes cancer in dogs, we can’t entirely prevent it. This is where early detection becomes important. The sooner you recognize cancer symptoms such as lumps, resistant sores, lethargy, or difficulty in motor skills, take your dog to the vet. Cancer is common in older dogs. Type of breed has little to do with developing cancer, but can have an effect on the type of cancer your dog contracts. Great Danes often deal with bone cancer while Boston Terriers, Lymphoma. If you catch it early, and do what you can for treatment such as chemotherapy or immunotherapy, your dog will heal. It is all dependent on the type of cancer.

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Diabetes

There are two types of diabetes. Type I is where your body doesn’t produce enough insulin, Type II occurs when your body doesn’t use it adequately. It isn’t clear what causes diabetes in dogs. There are certain breeds who are at higher risks of developing the disease. They include Dachshunds, Poodles, Samoyeds, and Schnauzers. To prevent diabetes, vets recommend a healthy diet and regular exercise. Overweight dogs have a low insulin resistance, so keep your dog healthy and trim. If you suspect your dog has diabetes, displaying symptoms such as changes in appetite, lethargy, dehydration, or urinary tract infections, take them to the vet. Stabilizing your dogs sugar levels is crucial with diabetes. Your dog may just need a fiber based diet to balance glucose levels, or be put on insulin injections. So again, early detection is beneficial.

Making sure they’re taken to the vet is key to dog disease. Daily exercise and an attentive diet can give all the difference. Prevention is the least you can do for your best friend.

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