There are a number of diseases dogs are prone to and I’ll talk about some of them here. I’ll also try to include specific breeds of dog that are prone to certain illnesses and diseases.
I would advise you to be aware of your dog’s normal behavior. Signs of illness can be lack of appetite, decreased activity, weakness, not drinking much, not grooming, bad breath, sleeping more than usual, drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, coughing, trouble breathing, frequent and/or bloody urination. If your dog exhibits any of these symptoms or any behavioral changes and you are unsure of what to do, seek the advice of your veterinarian.
Things you need to know:
The normal color of a dog’s gums is pink. Pale, white, blue or yellow gums, contact your vet at once.
Normal temperature for a dog is 100-102.5 degrees Fahrenheit. Less than 99 degrees or over 104 degrees, contact your vet immediately.
A dog’s heart rate slows and speeds with each breath. This is not abnormal. You can check the heart rate by finding the femoral artery inside the back leg. Small dogs and puppies heart rate is 120-160 beats per minute. Dogs that are about 30 lbs. have a rate of 60-120 beats per minute. The larger the dog, the slower the heart rate.
A dog’s normal respiration rate is 10-30 breaths per minute. Panting can be up to 200 pants per minute.
To check if your dog is breathing, hold a tissue or mirror up to his nose. If there is movement or breath on the mirror, your dog is breathing, but get him to the vet immediately.
Problem signs are using the abdominals to breathe, gasping, loud noises, shallow breaths, difficulty exhaling. Call your vet immediately.
- Acne in Cats and Dogs
- Addison’s Disease
- Adenovirus
- Advance in Treatment of Diabetic Dogs
- Anal Gland Cancer
- Anal Sac Impaction
- Border Collie Collapse
- Bordetella (Kennel Cough)
- Botulism and Pets
- Brachycephalic Syndrome
- Brain Cancer
- Brain Cancer Treatment for Dogs
- Brain Tumors in Pets
- Brain disorders
- Brucellosis in Dogs
- CCL (ACL) in Dogs
- Cancer in Dogs
- Canine Distemper
- Canine Hydrocephalus
- Cataracts
- Cats, Dogs and Hemorrhoids
- Cerebellar Hypoplasia
- Chagas Disease in Dogs
- Cherry Eye in Dogs and Cats
- Chondrodysplasia
- Colitis in Pets
- Controlling Obesity in Cats and Dogs
- Copper Toxicosis
- Cushing’s Disease
- Deep or Chronic Pyoderma
- Degenerative Myelopathy
- Dermoid Sinus
- Diabetes in Dogs
- Diskospondylitis
- Dog Allergies
- Dog Flu (Canine Influenza)
- Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy in Dogs
- Dust Mite Allergies
- Ear Problems in Dogs
- Ehrlichiosis
- Encephalitis in Pets
- Epilepsy in Dogs
- Epilus (Gum Boils)
- Esophagitis in Dogs and Cats
- Eye Problems in Dogs
- Eyelash Disorders in Dogs
- FDA-New Approved Treatment for Hypothyroidism in Dogs
- Fibrocartilagenous Embolism
- French Heartworm
- Glomerulonephritis in Pets
- Head Pressing in Pets
- Heart Murmur in Dogs
- Heart Problems in Dogs
- Heatstroke in Dogs
- Hip Dysplasia
- Hip and Elbow Dysplasia
- Horner’s Syndrome
- How Does Rheumatoid Arthritis Affect your Heart, Lungs, Eyes and Other Body Parts?
- Hypertrophic Osteopathy
- Hypoparathyroidism in Pets
- Hypothyroidism in Dogs
- Infectious Canine Hepatitis
- Inflammation of the Pancreas
- Intervertibral Disc Disease
- Invermectin Sensitivity
- Laryngeal Paralysis in Pets
- Latest Threat to Dogs – Circovirus
- Legg Perthes in Dogs
- Lenticular Sclerosis
- Leptospirosis
- Limb Spare Surgery Options for OS
- Lymphedemia
- Lymphoplasmacytic Rhinitis in Canines
- MRSA in Pets
- Mast Cell Tumors (Mastocytomas)
- Megaesophagus
- Military Dogs and PTSD
- Musculoskeletal Disorders
- Myelomalacia in Dogs
- New Strain of Parvovirus
- Nuclear Sclerosis in Cats and Dogs
- Osteochondritis Dissecans
- Osteogenesis Imperfecta in Pets
- Pancreatitis
- Panosteitis in Pets
- Parainfluenza
- Parasites
- Parvovirus
- Patellar Luxation
- Perianal Fistulas in Dogs
- Promising Treatment for Lymphoma
- Prostatic Hyperplasia in Male Dogs
- Pyometra infection in Dogs
- Renal Dysplasia
- SSR to Assess Heart Health in Pets
- Skin Problems in Dogs
- Spinal Cord Stroke in Dogs
- Spondylosis in Pets
- Stomach Torsion or Bloat
- Thrombocytopenia in Dogs and Cats
- Tonsilitis in Dogs
- Trigeminal Neuritis in Dogs
- Tularemia – Rabbit Fever
- Understanding Arthritis in Cats and Dogs
- Vaginitis in Dogs
- Vestibular Disease
- Vetoryl for Cushing’s in Dogs
- Viral Papillomas in Dogs
- Von Willebrand’s Disease
- Water Toxicity in Dogs
- West Nile Virus Alert
- White Shaker Syndrome
- Wobbler’s Syndrome
- Yeast Infections in Dogs
- Zika Virus and Your Pets
If you have any questions, I’ll be happy to answer them.
Note: Many new pet owners do not know about the availability of pet health insurance. Insurance for your dog is a great safety net to have for unforeseeable emergencies or illnesses. It is also helpful in covering routine shots and exams. Some plans start at just five dollars a month. To compare pet insurance plans in your area check out the link above.
