Dangerous and Common Diseases in Dogs

We tend to think diseases affecting a dog are more common at older ages. However, these diseases can appear in dogs of any age, and if not properly treated, they can be fatal.

In this SoyUnPerro post, we summarize what these conditions are and how you can prevent and treat them. By knowing their symptoms, you'll be able to stay more alert to the possible appearance of any of these conditions.

Chronic kidney failure

Kidney failure is a condition typical of older dogs, characterized by:

• Weight loss. Poor coat condition.
• Polydipsia/polyuria (increased water intake and urination).
• High blood pressure. Anemia. Bad breath.
• Protein in the urine (proteinuria).
• Low blood potassium (hypokalemia).
• Elevated blood phosphorus (hyperphosphatemia).

You should know that in this particular condition, diet plays a decisive role. So, sodium and protein intake needs to be restricted, and water should be available "ad libitum" (at all times).

Distemper

Also called Carré's disease, this condition is caused by a Morbillivirus, a group of viruses that also causes measles in humans. Distemper is usually transmitted through the respiratory route and affects many carnivore species (foxes, wolves, coyotes, or big cats). In dogs, it's especially virulent in puppies between 3 and 6 months old.

It's a systemic disease that can affect the respiratory system, lymph nodes, and nervous system. Some of the most characteristic signs are conjunctivitis, fever, apathy, dyspnea (difficulty breathing), or neurological signs such as loss of coordination or seizures. Treatment is symptomatic, as with most viral infections.

Canine parvovirus

This is a highly contagious viral disease. Although it can occur at any age, it tends to be more severe in puppies. It's caused by a parvovirus, mainly transmitted through feces from another infected dog. If infected, your pet will show the following symptoms:

• Bloody diarrhea.
• Vomiting.
• Fever.
• Dehydration.
• Apathy.
• Loss of appetite.
• Leukopenia, or a drop in white blood cells.

In some cases, a secondary bacterial infection can develop, requiring antibiotics for treatment.

A differential diagnosis needs to be made against other infectious diseases with gastrointestinal signs, such as those caused by coronavirus, rotavirus, enterobacteria infection, or canine distemper. Treatment, as with parvovirus, will be symptomatic, especially addressing dehydration and fever. Anti-nausea drugs are used to ease vomiting, along with anti-diarrheal and hemostatic medications to control bleeding.

Prevention is the best treatment, which is why vaccinating puppies is essential.

Leptospirosis

This disease is caused by the bacterium Leptospira spp., mainly transmitted through the urine of infected animals, including carrier species such as rodents. This bacterium can be present in the animal's urine even two months after recovering from the disease.

Leptospirosis can worsen quickly, and in the most severe stages, mortality rises considerably. The main symptoms are hyperthermia or fever, vomiting, diarrhea, kidney and liver failure, nasal congestion, and myalgia (muscle pain). Treatment involves giving antibiotics and pain relievers, along with treating symptoms with anti-nausea and anti-diarrheal medications.

To prevent this disease, try to keep your pet from sniffing the urine of other dogs who could be carriers.

Canine coronavirus

This is a highly contagious viral intestinal infection transmitted through the fecal-oral route, with puppies being the most susceptible to catching it.

Coronavirus mainly causes enteritis, or intestinal inflammation, affecting enterocytes — cells found on the microvilli of the small intestine — which disrupts nutrient absorption. It also causes immunosuppression, affecting the immune system.

Treatment includes fluid therapy to address dehydration, anti-nausea drugs to treat vomiting, and anti-diarrheal medications, along with a nutritious diet and prokinetics to stimulate intestinal movement.

Heartworm disease

The cause of canine heartworm disease is the parasitic worm, or nematode, Dirofilaria immitis, transmitted by mosquito vectors. It's quite prevalent in the Mediterranean basin, since this region's climate conditions are ideal for these vectors to thrive. It's also worth noting that this parasite is zoonotic — meaning it can spread to humans, though never directly from the dog, but through a vector.

In its earliest stage, symptoms tend to be very mild or unnoticeable; however, once the worms reach the heart or lungs, symptoms can be seen, such as:

• Dyspnea (difficulty breathing) and coughing.
• Extreme fatigue.
• Liver damage.
• Heart failure.

Treatment involves giving antiparasitics such as fenbendazole or anticoagulants such as heparin to prevent blood clots.

To prevent it, avoid walks at dawn or dusk, given the higher mosquito density during these hours, and use spot-on treatments or collars to repel mosquitoes and prevent bites. For this, you can ask a vet for advice.

Neoplasia

Neoplasia is the abnormal proliferation of cells in a localized area, resulting in hyperplasia, or excessive tissue growth, which can disrupt the function of the affected organs. Depending on various factors such as the cellular changes, the area involved, or the extent of the neoplasia, this condition can be benign (for example, a skin adenoma or lipoma) or malignant (for example, a mast cell tumor or mammary carcinoma).

The risk of developing neoplasia increases with age, making it more common in senior animals. There are also other factors that affect the risk of certain tumors developing. For example, early spaying/ovariohysterectomy in females considerably lowers the risk of mammary carcinomas (breast cancer) developing.

In short, making sure your pet gets the necessary vaccines, along with following a proper deworming schedule and getting regular vet check-ups, will help prevent these conditions, which can put their health, or even their life, at risk.