Adopting a pet, whether it’s a dog, cat, or fish, asks for commitment and dedication. They need attention and extensive care, even when they have grown old. Just like us, dogs too get sick. But they can’t express their pain and distress. It’s on us to keep vigil eyes on them. Since most illnesses and viral infections are fatal and contagious, it’s best to take them to Virginia Beach veterinary clinic for timely treatment.
So, how to know if your dog has contracted a deadly virus? What are the most common viral infections in dogs to be careful of? Here is a list.
- Distemper
Canine distemper is a contagious viral infection that can transmit to your dog through air or food bowl of an infected dog. Since the virus hardens the footpads and nose of the dogs, it’s also known as hardpad disease. Although dogs of all breeds and ages are susceptible to distemper, puppies and young dogs are at higher risk of getting infected.
The symptoms of canine distemper are runny eyes, vomiting, coughing, fever, and paralysis. If you see any of these signs your dog, check in to the nearest veterinary clinic Virginia Beach. Sometimes, even medical intervention and support can fail to save the infected dog, thus give your dogs proper vaccines for such illnesses.
- Canine Parvovirus (parvo)
Canine Parvovirus is another dreaded viral infection. This highly contagious disease causes severe bloody diarrhea, vomiting, fever, lethargy, and nausea in infected puppies and dogs. This hard to kill virus attacks the intestine, heart, and other vital organs can cause deaths.
Unvaccinated dogs and puppies have higher chances of contracting the virus. Only timely medical attention and intravenous fluid treatment can prevent the illness from becoming life-threatening. Like distemper, vaccination is the only way to avoid the infection.
- Kennel cough
Kennel Cough is a contagious respiratory infection in canines. The illness can result in irritation and inflammation of the respiratory tract. The disease can get from one infected dog to another by coming into direct contact, sharing infected bowl, coughing, or using blankets. If you have an unvaccinated dog of a newly adopted puppy, spare no time in getting them vaccinated. The signs of kennel cough include lethargy, gagging, and heavy coughing.
- Leptospirosis
This illness is caused by Leptospira bacteria, which commonly dwell in soil and water bodies. A dog can catch the disease by direct exposure to the contaminated environment or infected dog. Other ways to get in contact with the bacteria are urine-contaminated food, sharing contaminated bedding, or bite from a sick animal. If you suspect your dog to have muscle tenderness, dehydration, fever, jaundice, and lethargy, take them to the hospital.
- Heartworm
As the name suggests, heartworms are parasites that reside in an infected dog’s heart, blood vessels, and lungs. The parasite enters the body through mosquitos that are present all across the USA. If infected, the dog may experience lethargy, coughing, weight loss, and respiratory issues. The best and effective way to prevent infection is through preventive medications.