Problems That May Affect Your Dog’s Health A lot of people consider dogs man’s best friend. These creatures are smart and can be trained to do almost anything but taking care of a pet isn’t just about feeding it or taking it out on walks. Dogs are prone to sicknesses from parasites, fungus, viruses and protozoa. You should keep a watchful eye for these conditions since they could affect the long term health or be fatal if left untreated. Vaccinations The best defense against any disease is vaccination. This may not eliminate the threat but veterinarians strongly believe this is better than not doing anything at all for the animal. Your dog may not be only one that will be affected if proper care is not given to preventing diseases. A person can die if bitten by a dog that has rabies. This is the reason that state laws require all dogs to be vaccinated against rabies. All of this makes it very important for you to bring your dog to the veterinarian for vaccinations beginning during the first few months after birth and annually thereafter. Some of the drugs can be effective for three years which will save time and money over annual vaccinations. A vaccination drug is designed to create antibodies to fight against a specific disease. These are usually adminstered using a syringe and may contain a small sample of the disease that is either active or inactive. There are pros and cons of using the two types. The active version may last longer so the next visit to the vet could be in three years. The downside is that if the immune system of the dog is weak, then the animal could fall prey to the disease. The inactive version of the vaccination has proven not to show any side effects but the dog must be brought in to the vet for another injection sooner after the first. When a female dog is gives birth, the milk she gives her puppies serves as the best defense against viruses and bacteria. Puppies should be allowed to breatfeed to increase the chances of survival during the first 3 months before vaccination. In addtion, you should always make sure your pet is clean and their sleeping area has been sanitized. It is also important to remember to avoid letting the pet come in contact with others that could be carriers of life threatening diseases even after vaccination. Distemper Distemper is another major disease that affects dogs of all ages that can be vaccinated against. The animal can get this from the urine and feces of other dogs. The pet can also get this from toys, bedding and kennels. Symptoms include gunky eyes, experiences vomiting or nausea, coughing and weight loss. Unfortunately, there is no cure after the onset of this disease. Should the animal miraculously survive, they will experience some form of handicap for the long term. Parvovirus The parvovirus is another disease which is prevalent in dogs. The symptoms are similar to that of distemper and there is no cure. Preventative vaccinations are available and should be administered within the first 3 months of life with regular boosters. Unfortunately, a dog infected with parvovirus will die within 2 to 3 days and the best thing for the owner to do will be to give fluids and ease the pain. There are other diseases that a dogs can get even as a puppy. These are parainfluenza, coronavirus, hepatitis, Lyme disease and leptospirosis. Worms That Can Threaten The Dog’s Health The dog is a very active and a curious animal. They will often dig around trash and come into contact with other animals. Though this may seem fun, some owners do not know that this can lead to problems in the health of the pet. Worms can seriously effect the immune system and can be fatal or have long-range effects if left untreated. Worms are considered to be internal parasites. Some people will notice this immediately when the dog excretes this in the stool. However, this isn’t always the case. There are some that can only be seen using a microscope once a blood sample has been taken. Once these parasites have entered the dog’s digestive system, they are quick to act on it. The only thing you can do is offer liquids and some medicine which will strengthen the pet’s immune system and hopefully kill the worms. The best protection against these parasites will be to bring the dog to the vet and have the animal wormed early in life and as any symptoms arise. You can also try some over-the-counter pills. These can be purchased without a medical prescription and should only be used using the proper dosage while following the instructions precisely. At home, you can start by making sure the dog house or bedding is clean at all times. Your pet should also be bathed regularly and prevented from digging in the yard or eating from the trash since this is where germs and other contaminants grow. Caring for your pet may be more difficult than you first thought but the investment of time and money in preventative care can save you and your dog from harmful and costly diseases down the road. Acting wisely and responsibly in this manner will increase the likelihood of a long and healthy life for your pet and many years of a happy relationship between you and your dog. Beagles . Bichon Frise . Bloodhounds . Boston Terriers . Boxers . Breeders . Bulldogs . Bull Terriers . Chihuahuas . Chows . Collies . Dalmations . Doberman Pinschers . German Shepherds . Golden Retrievers . Greyhounds . Jack Russel Terriers . Labrador Retrievers . Miniature Pinschers . Newfoundlands . Poodles . Pugs . Rottweilers . Saint Bernards . Siberian Huskies . Cocker Spaniels . Yorkshire Terriers . Dog Breeders . Choosing the Right Dog . Health Facts for Dogs . Preventative Health Care for Dogs . Dog Safety .