Dog Infections - What They are and How to Treat Them Articles | Dog and Puppies

The parvo virus is both common and deadly dog infection. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhoea, dehydration and eventually death. Distemper is another viral infection, the symptoms including nasal and eye discharges, fever and loss of appetite. Canine hepatitis causes similar symptoms and the treatment IV fluid therapy, antibiotics and nutritional support.

Rabies is spread by the bite of another animal. If your dog has rabies, he will behave strangely. A dog can be vaccinated against this from 4 months of age. There is no cure so vaccination is crucial. Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection which attacks the dog’s liver and kidneys. Consuming contaminated water or infected urine from another dog can cause it. Fever, yellow gums, depression and blood in the urine might mean leptospirosis.

Kennel cough, or bordatella, is a respiratory tract disease. A loud and harsh cough, nasal and eye discharges are symptoms of kennel cough. The treatment is usually anti-inflammatory medicine, cough suppressants and antibiotics. Coronavirus is a contagious viral illness. Vomiting, diarrhea and weight loss are possible warning signs. Antibiotics and IV fluids are used in the treatment of corona.

Common dog infections include infections of the ear. Symptoms include pawing at the ears and shaking the head. You should examine your dog’s ears regularly. A vet can treat an ear infection.

If you think your dog has some kind of infection, the best thing to do is to take him to the vet as soon as possible. Infections can be dangerous anywhere in the dog’s body but especially if they are around the nose or mouth because they could spread more easily to the blood and, in due course, reach the dog’s brain.

Possible indications of dog infections are heat and swelling. The dog might also appear to be in pain and be either fretful or listless. If the infection is intense, the dog might have a high temperature and be swollen around the neck, armpits or groin area. If you cannot get to a vet straight away, you should keep the dog lying down and avoid any physical exercise which makes the infection spread more quickly. Raising the injured area (if that is possible) can reduce pain. Warm, wet cloths should be applied to the area of infection. You should not try to open, cut or compress the area of swelling because this might send micro-organisms into the blood current and then septicaemia will be a risk. Dogs with infections might reject food and water so it is important to seek veterinary advice.

The most important things to know are that you should get your dog immunized as soon as he is old enough and follow these up with yearly boosters. If your dog does seem to be ill or have some kind of infection, call the vet and make an appointment straight away. Infections can become severe very quickly and it is not a good idea to wait and see if it clears by itself because it almost certainly will not.