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Common Pet Diseases

Parvovirus

This is a highly contagious viral disease that is dangerous primarily to puppies. Bloody diarrhea is the most important and easily recognised symptom; others include loss of appetite, vomiting, fever and listlessness. Parvovirus can kill an adult dog in two to four days; 8 to 12 wee old puppies can die in a few hours, so early diagnosis is important. A preventive vaccine is 80 to 90 percent effective.

Canine Para influenza

This airborne viral disease more commonly known as 'Kennel cough' is highly contagious, but much less severe than distemper. It is the most common respiratory illness in dogs. The incubation period is 5 to 10 days. Common symptoms include discharge from the nose and a persistent dry cough, which usually disappears by itself within 2 weeks. This disease only becomes serious if left untreated and a secondary bacterial infection sets in leading to pneumonia. This disease is not transmissible to humans, and can be killed with bleach. The best prevention is a standard Vaccination along with parainfluenza vaccine which is often combined with canine and parvovirus vaccines.

Rabies

Rabies is spread by the bite or through the saliva of an infected animal. Symptoms are sensitivity to light, foaming at the mouth, personality changes, loss of appetite and aversion to water. Prevention is only by a highly effective vaccine which may be given as early as three months for puppies. Once infested rabies is fatal and the extreme danger is transmission to humans.

Canine Coronavirus

This virus is also highly contagious, and spread through the feces. Its incubation period is only 1 to 1.5 days. Symptoms are similar to parvo, but it is a milder disease. It is not transmissible to humans, and can be killed with bleach. Canine Hepatitis This uncommonly seen disease is spread through urine, feces, and saliva. The virus can survive in the environment for weeks and even months. The incubation period is 4 to 9 days. Common symptoms are fever with depression, loss of appetitie, discharge from the eyes and nose, abdominal pain and vomiting. This is highly fatal to puppies. This disease is not transmissible to humans and can be killed with bleach. Leptospirosis This disease is not a virus, rather it is a spirochete, a highly specialized form of bacteria. It is spread through the urine onto the skin. After an incubation period of 5 to 15 days, the most common symptoms are weakness, fever, vomiting, loss of appetite and jaundice. This disease rarely causes death, but can persist as a chronic disease. It is usually spread by urine contaminated water, and is a zoonotic disease. This disease is transmissible to humans.

Heart worm

Transmitted by mosquitoes, Heart worm is a foot long worm that floats in blood in one of the hearts chambers. Symptoms include coughing, shortness of breath, listlessness and poor appetite. It can cause heart failure or lung failure over months or years. Prevention is available in a daily or monthly pill.

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