6 common types of dog diseases🩺🐕

A must-read for owners! Comprehensive protection for your dog's health

Hong Kong dog owners often dread the sudden onset of their pets' discomfort. In reality, many illnesses are preventable with awareness and early identification. This editor, drawing on information from local veterinarians and authoritative websites, uses local veterinary medicine to guide you through the classification, symptoms, prevention, and care of six common illnesses.

1. Infectious viral and bacterial diseases🦠🥲

The most common diseases include canine distemper, canine parvovirus, and leptospirosis, which are primarily transmitted through contact with infected dogs, their secretions, and mosquito bites. Canine distemper can affect the respiratory, digestive, and nervous systems, causing fever, nasal discharge, and convulsions. Canine parvovirus can cause severe vomiting, diarrhea, bloody stools, dehydration, and a high mortality rate. Leptospira can damage the liver and kidneys and is found in contaminated water or soil.

Vaccinating your dog with a full set of preventive vaccines and regular physical examinations early on can greatly reduce the risk of disease.

2. Parasites and blood diseases🪳🦟

These include fleas, ticks, heartworms, and tick fever. Heartworms, transmitted through mosquito bites, live in the heart and lung arteries, causing coughing, decreased energy, and can be fatal in severe cases. Tick fever, spread by ticks and common in rural Hong Kong, presents with symptoms of anemia, fatigue, pale gums, and dark urine.

Be sure to consult your veterinarian for internal and external deworming, flea and tick prevention, and regular blood tests.

3. Chronic diseases and health issues in older dogs🦴🧓

Arthritis (bone and joint degeneration, decreased mobility), heart disease (asthma, fatigue), diabetes or kidney failure (polydipsia, polyuria, fluctuating appetite, weight loss) are particularly common among the elderly, obese, and physically inactive. Chronic diseases progress slowly and are often overlooked, requiring careful attention.

Regular physical examinations, weight control and moderate exercise can help prevent or delay the disease.

4. Digestive tract and gastrointestinal diseases🤢💩

Vomiting and diarrhea are often caused by dietary changes, unclean food, viral infections such as canine parvovirus, and separation anxiety. Severe vomiting, diarrhea, and even dehydration should prompt a veterinarian's visit. A gradual change in diet and low-fat snacks are recommended to prevent gastroenteritis.

Paying attention to hygiene during daily feeding and strictly prohibiting feeding human food is the key to prevention.

5. Skin and ear canal diseases🐾🦻

Dermatitis, eczema, allergies, fungal infections, and ear infections are common and can be caused by humid climates, inadequate care, parasites, or food allergies. Skin rashes, hair loss, itching, ear odor, and ear dander should also be monitored.

It is very important to bathe, comb hair, check ears regularly, keep the environment clean and seek medical treatment in time!

6. Cancer, obesity, and metabolic diseases 🎗️⚖️

As the average lifespan of dogs increases, they are increasingly suffering from cancers (such as lymphoma, breast tumors, and skin tumors) and obesity-induced diabetes and liver disease. Elderly, obese, and unneutered dogs are at higher risk.

Monitor weight and diet daily. For older dogs, have a comprehensive physical examination every six months. See a doctor immediately if any signs of illness occur.

Editor's summary

Prevention and regular checkups are always better than panicking when something breaks out. Different ages, breeds, and sizes present unique health risks, so remember to pay attention to subtle changes in your pet's body. Don't delay if you encounter unusual symptoms; the sooner you address them, the safer and healthier your dog will be! 🔍 Learning body language with your pet will give you a greater sense of security in your future.