The most common dog diseases

 

Throughout the year, your dog can suffer from different diseases. In this post, we tell you about the most common ones.

Dogs can get sick as the seasons change; their bodies are similar to ours. They feel cold, heat, fear, loneliness, joy, sadness… they are like us, we have to protect them from possible illnesses, and each season has its own.

In this post, we show you the most common dog diseases according to the seasons of the year.

              

Keep reading to discover the most common dog diseases throughout the year.

Spring brings the feared caterpillars and the troublesome foxtails.

Let's start with foxtails; they are the seed heads that cover many grasses and have an arrow shape with a sharp point, making them ideal for getting into eyes, noses, paws, and clinging to the fur and skin of our dogs.

They are very dangerous because if not removed properly and in time, the dog can suffer from compulsive scratching, itching, and redness of the area, causing the foxtail to become much more embedded, possibly leading to inflammation and subsequent surgical removal.

After each walk, examine your dog carefully, especially if it has long fur, in the armpit area, paw pads, nose, and ears. A foxtail might have embedded itself, and you might not notice it for a few days.

 

The pine processionary caterpillar deserves special mention, as it can cause the animal's death if not acted upon quickly.

It is in spring when the pine processionary caterpillar descends from its nests in the trees to bury itself and form the cocoon that will turn it into a butterfly, and it is at this moment that it is most dangerous… the long processions that form, hence its name, attract the attention of the most curious dogs; if they come into contact with the caterpillar's irritating hairs, you will have to act quickly and wash the area with lukewarm water without rubbing, to prevent them from spreading over the affected area.

Above all, check that it hasn't swallowed it; otherwise, go to the veterinary hospital immediately.

In summer, with high temperatures, you have to be careful with heatstroke. Many dogs suffer from it and can even die.

Dogs lack sweat glands on their bodies and can only regulate their body temperature by panting and sweating through their tongue and paw pads. However, with high temperatures, this may not be enough, leading to fatal heatstroke.

          

Identify the symptoms of heatstroke in dogs:

• Your dog has a temperature of more than 42 degrees (107.6°F)
• It doesn't want to move
• It has difficulty breathing
• Its heart rate increases
• It trembles or vomits

 

Try to lower its temperature by applying cold to its neck, head, groin, and armpits, moisten its mouth with cool, never cold, water, try to get it to drink a little, if the symptoms still persist, take it to the vet immediately, as they can worsen and lead to organ failure or kidney failure.

 

The most common disease in dogs in autumn is kennel cough or tracheobronchitis, an acute, dry, and deep cough. Owners describe it "as if something is stuck in its throat," sometimes accompanied by expectoration of respiratory secretions.

This canine cold, also known as "Kennel Cough," affects the respiratory tract, causing acute inflammation of the larynx and trachea. Although it affects any dog, it is common in places where many animals live together with poor ventilation. Unfortunately, it can affect any dog because it is transmitted via aerosol through coughing or sneezing, so it can happen to your dog on a simple walk.

If you start to notice respiratory congestion or a broncho hoarseness in your coughing dog, go to the vet to prevent it from developing into bronchitis or pneumonia.

The most exposed dogs are those over 8 years old and puppies under 9 months old, as well as brachycephalic breeds such as bulldogs, pugs, boxers, etc.

The best way to prevent it is annual vaccination; your vet will tell you how to do it.

 

In winter, with the drop in temperatures, dogs are more prone to illness, as humidity, cold, and rain can cause them to catch a cold like us. Some of the diseases are: hypothermia, cough, bronchitis, laryngitis, vomiting.

With these tips to prevent the most common diseases in dogs, you will be able to tell if your dog is sick:

• Dry your dog very well after a walk in the rain.
• Protect and insulate its bed from the floor and cold with a thick blanket; also, do not place it near the radiator, as sudden changes in temperature cause chills and colds.
• Avoid placing its bed in drafts and in humid areas, such as the kitchen; find a more pleasant place for it.
• Keep it warm when you take it for a walk, and if it is very old or a puppy, put a sweater on it indoors; it will regulate its body temperature better, and it will thank you.

 

It may be that your dog is not sick, but sad. If you see it apathetic, and sleeping all day with no desire to do anything, read in this post the symptoms of a sad dog.

As we always recommend in our health blogs, if you have any doubts about your dog's health, it is necessary to take it to the vet. You might overlook a mild symptom that could worsen over time.

 

You have a whole collection to warm, protect, and care for your dog during temperature changes throughout the seasons here.