🐕 Common Dog Diseases & Solutions

Rabies (fatal, preventable): spread by bites from infected animals; symptoms: behaviour change, drooling, difficulty swallowing, paralysis. Solution: annual vaccination is MANDATORY; if bitten by an unknown dog: wash the wound 15 min with soap and water, seek medical care immediately (post-exposure vaccine), and report it.

Canine parvovirus (parvo): severe bloody diarrhoea + vomiting in puppies; often fatal without treatment. Solution: vaccinate puppies from 6-8 weeks (boosters), keep unvaccinated puppies away from public areas, and seek a vet urgently if suspected — IV fluids save lives.

Canine distemper: fever, eye/nose discharge, coughing, then neurological signs. Solution: vaccination is the only real prevention; supportive care from a vet; isolate from other dogs.

Kennel cough: honking cough, often after boarding. Solution: usually self-limiting in healthy adults; vet care for puppies and seniors; vaccinate if boarding regularly.

Ticks & tick fever: ticks transmit babesiosis/ehrlichiosis — fever, weakness, pale gums. Solution: tick prevention (spot-on/frontline-type products, tick collars), check ears/paws after walks, remove ticks with tweezers (grab at skin, pull straight), and see a vet for fever after a tick.

Intestinal worms (roundworm, hookworm, tapeworm): pot belly, poor coat, worms in stool, scooting. Solution: deworm every 3 months (puppies monthly), keep the yard clean, and use vet-approved dewormers (pyrantel, praziquantel, fenbendazole).

Skin allergies & mange: itching, hair loss, scabs — mange (mites) is highly contagious to other dogs. Solution: vet diagnosis (skin scrape), medicated baths, parasite control, and flea prevention.

Basic dog care: fresh water daily, quality food by weight, daily walks, annual vet check + vaccines, and never feed chocolate, onions, grapes or xylitol — all toxic to dogs.

🩺 Real-world view

Veterinarian with a dog — vaccination in action

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