| A good diet and plenty of exercise are | | | | commonly contracted in animal shelters, |
| important to a dog's health, but they can't | | | | boarding kennels, or anywhere groups of dogs |
| make a dog totally immune to illness. Early | | | | have close contact with one another. It is a |
| detection is the key to helping your dog | | | | short-term disease, and most dogs get over it |
| overcome any health problem. If your pet's | | | | with a few days of rest and tender loving |
| stools become very loose, or you notice a | | | | care from you. It is possible to have your |
| marked decrease in your dog's appetite and/or | | | | dog vaccinated against Bortadella – a |
| that she is very lethargic, she may just have | | | | good idea if you plan on boarding her or |
| a short-term "bug." On the other hand, if | | | | placing her in "doggie daycare." |
| any symptoms continue for more than a few | | | | |
| days, you should have your veterinarian | | | | Vaccinations are also available to protect |
| examine her for parasites and infections. | | | | your dog against more deadly diseases such as |
| | | | rabies, distemper and parvovirus. Most |
| Diarrhea is a common symptom in dogs, | | | | municipalities require that all dogs are |
| especially puppies. It can be triggered by | | | | vaccinated against rabies; some include |
| stress or a sudden change in food, but also | | | | distemper and parvovirus as well. Making |
| by a virus, bacteria or parasites. Diarrhea | | | | these vaccinations mandatory protects the |
| causes dehydration, which can be deadly to | | | | health of all dogs, and, in the case of |
| dogs. It is extremely dangerous in puppies, | | | | rabies, human health as well. If your dog was |
| because they dehydrate faster than mature | | | | vaccinated as a puppy, she's off to a good |
| dogs. | | | | start. However, without yearly booster shots, |
| | | | your dog is at risk of great suffering from |
| If your dog has diarrhea for more than a day, | | | | one of these diseases. |
| contact your veterinarian for further | | | | |
| instructions. You will probably be asked to | | | | Dogs serve as hosts to a number of parasites. |
| collect a sample and bring it in so they can | | | | You will probably be asked to bring a fecal |
| examine it to determine the cause and proper | | | | sample to your dog's yearly vet appointment, |
| treatment. | | | | so that the staff can check for the presence |
| | | | of internal parasites. If you notice small, |
| Coughing, sneezing, and discharge from your | | | | rice-like granules on your pet's bedding or |
| dog's nose and/or eyes often indicate a | | | | around her anus, she is suffering from an |
| respiratory infection. A lethargic dog with | | | | infestation of worms and needs to be seen by |
| no appetite is likely fighting an Upper | | | | your vet to get proper treatment. Other |
| Respiratory Infection (URI). URI, caused by | | | | parasites take up residence on the outside of |
| airborne viruses and bacteria, is highly | | | | your dog's body. Mange and sarcoptic mites |
| contagious among dogs, but is not transmitted | | | | live on the hair follicles and skin of dogs, |
| between dogs and humans. Early detection of | | | | while ear mites live on the inside of the |
| URI is important; ignored dogs suffer from | | | | ear. These parasites are so small you might |
| severe dehydration and risk developing | | | | not see them, but they cause your dog extreme |
| pneumonia. | | | | discomfort. Head shaking and pawing at ears |
| | | | are signs of ear mites. Frequent scratching |
| Bortadella, also called 'kennel cough" is | | | | and skin-biting can indicate either skin |
| another contagious respiratory disease | | | | mites or a dog's worst enemy: fleas. |