Diseases of small breed dogs that every owner should know about

The most common diseases of dogs

Dog diseases should never be left to chance.

The list of the most common diseases in dogs can range from infectious to genetic to those caused by parasites. The most common include:

plague;
ringworm;
encephalitis;
enteritis;
damage by fleas and worms;
cystitis;
urolithiasis disease.

Hydrocephalus

Hydrocephalus is a serious congenital brain disorder. It is the most common and most dangerous for small dogs. With hydrocephalus in an animal, the volume of fluid in the ventricles of the brain increases, which leads to an enlargement of the head compared to the entire body. The disease is also accompanied by neurological disorders.

The most painful and deadly diseases

The most painful and fatal diseases of dogs include:

rabies;
plague;
leptospirosis;
piroplasmosis;
parvovirus enteritis.

Today, veterinarians note the fact that cases of encounters with deadly diseases in dogs have become more frequent. Large breeds are easier to treat than decorative ones. The difficulty lies in the size. It is worth noting that some diseases develop rapidly and conquer the body, while others are completely incurable. But they are all very painful.

To avoid trouble, scientists have created vaccines, but some owners neglect vaccinations, considering them a waste of money.

Portosystemic shunt

Portosystemic shunt is a dangerous disease in which the functioning of the circulatory system is disrupted. There may be several shunts, due to which the condition is significantly complicated. With pathology, ammonia accumulates in the liver, causing the organ to be destroyed.

Small dogs are predisposed to extrahepatic shunts. Yorkshire terriers suffer from pathology most often. The disease occurs as a result of injury. The shunt can also be congenital.

The symptoms of the shunt are ambiguous. Once having appeared, it can also suddenly disappear without causing alarm to the owner. Despite this, there are common symptoms that may indicate pathology:

• The pet tries to eat inedible objects; • Loss and restoration of vision; • Lowering the head; • Vomiting and diarrhea; • Increased salivation; • Urinary ammonia level more than doubles.

Treatment occurs only through surgery. During surgery, a ring is placed around the shunt, cutting off its blood supply. Over time, the shunt disappears. The treatment does not end there. The pet will need to take medications to go through the rehabilitation period.

Diseases transmitted to humans from dogs

Many people keep pets. Dogs have been kept by humans for more than 14 centuries. Many studies confirm the fact that having pets has a beneficial effect on a person’s mental state. However, there are a number of infectious diseases that a dog owner may be susceptible to. The disease is transmitted even with minimal contact, through saliva, urine, and feces.

Diseases that can be transmitted to humans from dogs include:

tuberculosis;
rabies;
leptospirosis;
toxoplasmosis;
helminth infections;
chlamydia;
lichen;
acute echinococcosis.

If you find signs of disease in your dog, you must immediately contact a veterinarian to identify the disease and begin treatment. If the doctor confirms the presence of a disease that can be transmitted to humans, then it is necessary to take tests for everyone who came into contact with the animal.

Aujeszky's disease (false rabies, pseudorabies)

An acute disease caused by a virus that attacks the brain. The main source of infection are rodents.

The following symptoms are characteristic of Aujeszky's disease:

convulsions;
muscle tic;
increased thirst;
gait disturbances;
the dog's hind legs are taken away (paralysis of the rear part of the body);
severe itching, scratching;
salivation.

False rabies is very difficult. Effective methods for treating pseudorabies have not been developed; the animal dies on the 2-3rd day.

Diseases of dogs according to symptoms, their causes and course

If your pet still gets sick, then it is necessary to clearly determine what changes have occurred. Perhaps he refuses to eat or has a fever. Some diseases are characterized by disruption of the gastrointestinal tract or disruption of the mucous membrane. All dog diseases have certain symptoms and development patterns; if you clearly name the main symptoms, the doctor will prescribe the necessary tests and make the correct diagnosis.

Viral

This group of diseases is most common among quadrupeds. Viral diseases are characterized by 4 periods of disease development:

incubation - entry of the virus into the blood;
preclinical - rapid development with minimal symptoms;
clinical - it is at this stage that the signs become obvious;
The outcome of the disease is recovery or death.

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Rabies is a dangerous, fatal disease that can also be transmitted to humans. In animals, this disease cannot be treated, but an infected person is given 40 injections. Infection occurs through saliva from the bite of a rabid animal. The virus enters the animal's brain through the cerebrospinal fluid.

The dog is experiencing a change in behavior. She becomes much more active, and the bite site causes discomfort (the dog scratches it vigorously, literally gnawing it out). Over time, activity gives way to aggression, which can even manifest itself towards the owner. Salivation increases and vomiting begins. At the peak of the disease, the dog suffers from convulsive seizures. Just before death, the dog is struck by paralysis.

Canine plague is another serious disease that has a high mortality rate even with timely treatment.

There are several types of the disease, but all are characterized by lethargy, apathy, elevated body temperature to 39.5 - 41 degrees and above, and lack of appetite.

Pulmonary - disruption of the mucous membrane, namely souring of the eyes, copious discharge from the nose.
Skin - the animal’s eyes become very watery, the nose can secrete mucus abundantly or, conversely, crack from lack of moisture, and the paw pads also crack.
Intestinal - accompanied by vomiting and diarrhea, sometimes mixed with blood.
Nervous is the most severe form. It is characterized by tics, paralysis of limbs or epileptic seizures.

Parvovirus enteritis is a dangerous viral disease that often ends in the death of the animal. The virus affects the gastrointestinal tract and heart. The body becomes severely dehydrated.

Infection occurs through contact with a sick animal, as well as through environmental objects, namely toys, the owner’s shoes, and his clothes.

The intestinal form involves the gastrointestinal tract. It is characterized by loss of appetite, diarrhea and vomiting of blood. With the right treatment, the animal can recover.

Cardiac is characterized by a decrease or absence of appetite. The animal is weakened, has a weak and uneven heartbeat, shortness of breath, and heart failure. Death occurs within a couple of days.

Skin

Skin diseases are diseases of non-infectious origin. The most common is Atopic dermatitis.

Atopy is a condition of the body that is characterized by the formation of antibodies to allergens.

Breeds most predisposed to the disease: terriers (Scottish, Fox), Labrador retriever, cocker spaniel, boxer, Dalmatian, German shepherd, English bulldog, Shar Pei, miniature schnauzers.

Symptoms:

severe itching;
hyperpigmentation;
alopecia (baldness) of the paws, muzzle, belly, tail, ears due to scratching.

Infectious

Chlamydia is an infectious disease caused by chlamydia. This disease is very common among all living things. The infection infects the blood and with its current penetrates all organs, lymph nodes, joints and even the brain and spinal cord. This can result in death if treatment is not started. It is worth noting that this infection can be transmitted to humans, so it is important to temporarily reduce contact with a sick animal to a minimum.

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Symptoms include a slight increase in body temperature and damage to the mucous membranes. The lesion is characterized by the development of otitis, rhinitis, conjunctivitis and other diseases that manifest themselves on the mucous membranes. Appetite decreases.

Infectious hepatitis. In most dogs, this disease occurs latently.

The disease manifests itself quite rarely and usually occurs simultaneously with the plague.

In acute cases, mortality in puppies is almost 100%. In adult dogs it drops by 10-50%

Leptospirosis is a common disease that is quite dangerous for humans. Infection occurs through blood or urine.

Symptoms:

vomit;
dehydration;
jaundice;
visual impairment and photophobia.

Mortality in severe cases is about 30%.

Diseases of the musculoskeletal system

Hip dysplasia is more often diagnosed in large breed dogs. The symptom is lameness of the hind limbs.

The disease affects the dog's firmness when standing. The center of gravity shifts forward, and accordingly the front legs begin to suffer.

The disease is classified as incurable. With conservative treatment or surgical intervention, doctors achieve significant relief of symptoms.

Oncology

Oncological diseases are quite common among animals. If a lump is detected, the veterinarian prescribes cytological and histological examinations. Surgical methods of treatment are used in treatment.

Very often, owners decide not to treat their dog, considering it a hopeless endeavor and a waste of money. But modern technologies, even in advanced cases, make it possible to achieve success, and if recovery is impossible, to improve the quality and prolong the life of the pet.

Eye diseases

If the dog begins to blink quickly and often without stopping, then this is the main sign of blepharospasm. It is also characterized by the following symptoms:

the eye and the inflamed area around it may become swollen;
palpation causes pain;
photophobia;

The disease itself is not dangerous, but it can become a sign of other, more complex diseases.

Prolapse of the third eyelid. With this pathology, the dog's third eyelid moves from its usual place to the corner of the eye. Mostly only one eye is affected, but pathology of both eyes also occurs. Medicine has not determined the cause, but it is assumed that the disease is caused by muscle weakness.

This is also a non-life-threatening disease, but it can cause conjunctivitis and keratitis. The latter are characterized by souring of the eyes.

Ear diseases

Otitis is an inflammatory process that affects the mucous membrane of the external auditory canal. Otitis media is characterized by purulent and foul-smelling discharge. The disease is caused by ear mites, poor hygiene or infection (i.e. otitis media can become a sign of a more serious disease).

Ear hematoma - bruising. It is caused by a bruise or irritation. It mainly affects breeds with droopy ears.

The dog often shakes its head and scratches its ear. The owner may notice redness of the skin - these are the main signs of a hematoma. Treatment is symptomatic.

Diseases of the heart, blood vessels and blood

Cardiovascular disease in dogs is almost as common as in humans.

The cause of the development of pathology can be a previous serious illness, significant physical activity, heavy blood loss and injury, as well as congenital defects and diseases transmitted by inheritance.

Symptoms:

lethargy;
decreased appetite;
disturbance of heart rhythms;
dyspnea
wheezing when breathing.

Animals also experience blood diseases, or to be more precise, anemia.

Symptoms:

poor appetite and weight loss;
pale mucous membranes;
dark colored urine;
rapid and uneven pulse.

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Hemophilia - manifests itself with severe bleeding due to soft tissue injuries. Genetic disease transmitted from bitches.

Liver diseases

Older dogs are more susceptible to liver disease.

The liver is susceptible to acute diseases - leptospirosis or infectious hepatitis, but there are also chronic disorders of the organ.

Symptoms:

loss of appetite
unquenchable thirst
vomit
drowsiness
diarrhea
lethargy and apathy

REFERENCE! By the time the symptoms become obvious, half of the liver will have failed, so the prognosis for such diseases is disappointing.

Respiratory tract

The respiratory system is the nasal cavity, pharynx, trachea, bronchi and lungs. Respiratory diseases are the most common.

These include the following diseases:

rhinitis - difficulty breathing, mucus from the nose, swelling and redness;
laryngitis - cough, shortness of breath, wheezing in the chest;
bronchitis - cough, hoarse breathing, nasal discharge, rapid pulse, fever;
pleurisy - lethargy, weakness, weak cough, fever;
emphysema - difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, cough, cloudy nasal discharge.

Some diseases pose a serious threat to life, others are less dangerous. Only a doctor can make a diagnosis.

Invasive

This group of diseases is also very common. They are transmitted through contact with an infected animal.

Helminthiasis is a lesion caused by parasitic worms (nematodes or cestodes) that settle in the gastrointestinal tract, affecting the liver and heart. The disease can be fatal to the animal if not treated.

Symptoms:

lethargy and decreased activity;
aggression; vomiting and diarrhea, followed by constipation;
Worms may be visible in the feces.

Endocrine

Diabetes. This disease most often affects dogs over 5 years of age who are obese. This is an incurable disease that can be controlled.

It is difficult to determine the disease only by symptoms. They are of a general nature:

apathy;
refusal of food;
diarrhea;
vomit;
weakness;
emaciation.

Only a veterinarian can make a diagnosis based on the research performed.

Autoimmune diseases

Autoimmune diseases are a group of diseases characterized by disruption of the immune system.

This condition can be caused by a previous tumor disease, a virus, a bacteria, taking certain medications, or a genetic predisposition.

This group of diseases includes:

autoimmune hemolytic anemia (fever, shortness of breath, gums become pale pink, urine is dark, sometimes you can see blood in the stool);
Systemic lupus erythematosus. The main characteristic for determining the disease is nosebleeds;
Pemphigus vulgaris is characterized by rashes in the form of blisters and the formation of extensive erosions;
Rheumatoid polyarthritis (limited movement, swelling, tension, pain when moving).

Genetic diseases in dogs

This is the largest group of diseases. Most often, dogs with genetic diseases are not allowed to breed,

This group includes maxillofacial defects, brain abnormalities, sensory organ disorders, diseases of the cardiovascular system, diseases of the spine and musculoskeletal system, genitourinary organs and gastrointestinal tract, diseases of the hematopoietic organs.

Hypoglycemia

Due to their low body weight, small dog breeds have a fast metabolism. Even the smallest changes in diet have a significant impact on animal health. If the body's sugar levels drop, the dog becomes hypoglycemic.

Symptoms appear abruptly, and the dog begins to exhibit the following behavioral characteristics:

• Loss of appetite; • Chills; • Apathetic state; • The animal is hiding in the shadows; • When walking, the dog staggers and stumbles (mild form); • Convulsions (severe form).

You need to act quickly. Be sure to show your pet to a veterinarian. If you hesitate, the pathology will lead to coma and even death.

Prevention of diseases in dogs

Vaccination is the main preventive measure. This method can protect the pet and owner from most contagious and deadly diseases.

Veterinarians also recommend periodic deworming and treatment for parasites, namely fleas and ticks.

ATTENTION! The dog must follow a strict but balanced diet.

Any dog illness is difficult to bear not only for the pet, but also for the owner. Anxiety and excitement accompany the owner until recovery. If any suspicious condition is detected in a dog, it is better to contact a veterinarian to prescribe timely and correct treatment. Modern medicine makes it possible, if not to cure, then to alleviate even the most complex diseases.

Musculoskeletal problems

Due to fragile bones, diseases of the paws, spine and pelvis are not uncommon in small dogs. Among them, the following are especially common:

Perthes disease - inflammation and damage to the head of the femur;
Displacement of the cervical vertebrae;
Dislocation of the kneecap. This disease can be not only acquired, but also congenital. In some dogs it does not manifest itself immediately, but only after a certain time.

Symptoms of diseases of this classification are a lethargic state of the animal, refusal to eat or decreased appetite, loud squealing or barking with any movement. In all cases, surgery is required.