Infectious diseases of Dogs
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Tetanus is a neurological disease caused by a neurotoxin. It is caused in dogs by a bacterial infection that begins in the animal's body through an open wound. The toxin attacks the nerves, spinal cord and brain, causing muscle spasms in the animal. Contrary to popular belief, tetanus is not found exclusively...
Although a dog's paws are protected by a layer of keratinized tissue, it is still possible for them to develop a fungal infection. In fact, due to the greater contact a dog's feet have with various surfaces, they are one of the body parts which are most commonly exposed to fungus. Ringworm and yeast...
Canine infectious hepatitis (ICH) is an acute liver infection in dogs caused by canine mastadenovirus A. It is a highly contagious viral disease transmitted through the mouth or nose, where it replicates in the tonsils. Fortunately, widespread vaccination programs have greatly reduced the number of infected...
When we see our dog is having trouble urinating, it is common for many dog guardians to ask can my dog get a UTI (urinary tract infection)? Dogs can indeed suffer from UTIs and do so in a similar way to humans. In fact, urinary and bladder infections in dogs are relatively common. Both male and female...
Osteomyelitis in dogs is the inflammation of the bone due to a bacterial or fungal infection. This painful disease will need professional intervention as soon as possible as the treatment takes several weeks to various months, depending on the type of osteomyelitis and its severity.
In this AnimalWised article...
When a person has stomach flu, diarrhea, abdominal cramps and vomiting may present as symptoms. One of the main causes of stomach flu (gastroenteritis) is the rotavirus. If we see similar symptoms in our dog, it is understandable we might wonder whether our dog is suffering from this viral intestinal disease. Can...
Metritis is something which can only happen to female dogs. This is because it is an infection of the uterus. A bacterial infection, it occurs during birthing or shortly thereafter. There are different causes of metritis, as we will see further on in this AnimalWised article. While we should be ensuring...
Bacteria are single-celled microscopic organisms that live in the environment, on the skin, in a respiratory tract and/or digestive and urinary tract of animals and people. Some bacteria are capable of causing diseases and reaching the blood, but this is normally done so in a small number and can be killed...
Anemia is not a disease in itself, but a blood disorder which often results from disease, as well as other causes. It describes the condition of low red blood cells and/or low hemoglobin in the dog's blood. There are several types of anemia, each with its particular characteristics and respective treatments....
We use the term "mosquito" to name numerous species that make up different families of diptera nematocera. Despite their small size, mosquitoes are responsible for numerous health risks to our families and animals.
Although some species are completely harmless, the females of the families Culicidae and...
While it is an invasive procedure, spaying your dog has a range of benefits. Their lack of ability to become pregnant prohibits the birth of puppies we don't have the resources to care for and thus reducing the cases of abandoned pets which need shelter care. Neutering also helps with their psychological...
Female dogs breastfeed like all mammals, their name deriving from their mammary glands used to produce milk. This milk is full of nutrients and designed to keep their vulnerable puppies fed and protected from potential infection. Sometimes these mammaries can become engorged, often looking red or swollen....
Blood in a dog's urine can be a worrying sign. It's called hematuria and is usually a symptom that your dog's health is impaired, possibly seriously. The most common causes can range from urinary tract infections (UTIs) to tumors, kidney stones to infectious diseases like parvovirus. Therefore, if you see drops...
Our dogs' ears are very sensitive to lesions. An otitis can cause our pet to go through a very important decay and anorexia due to pain and discomfort.
Otitis externa can cause a perforated eardrum due to secretion and inflammation of the ear canal. The medical treatment varies according to whether...
Canine mastitis is one of the most common conditions that affect nursing dogs or dogs that have recently given birth; it can even occur in female dogs that are not pregnant. For this reason, if a bitch is a member of our family it is important to know the symptoms that it can cause and the treatments that...
When making the important decision of welcoming a dog into your home, you are accepting responsibility for all their physical, psychological and social needs. Although it is a responsibility to be taken seriously, the joy you receive in return is well worth your dedication as that strong and special...
Canine rabies is possibly one of the most infamous conditions affecting dogs worldwide. Any mammal can catch this disease, but it mostly affects dogs. The only places that are free from rabies virus are Australia, the British Isles, and Antarctica. Other than those places, rabies exists everywhere in the...
Fever as we know it is not unique to humans, dogs can also experience it and we should be alert to its warning symptoms. Temperatures that are lower or higher than usual for a dog may be an indicator of fever.
Remember that it can not communicate what is happening or when something is wrong, you must...
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