Dog Diseases and Symptoms: A to Z

There are a number of different health conditions that can affect dogs. Here's an extensive list of all the major dog diseases and symptoms.

There are a ton of different afflictions that can take hold of your dog. Whether it is their heart, liver, kidneys, ears, eyes, teeth, or something else, your dog can suffer from health complications in much the same way people can. For a better understanding of the most common issues dogs can face, here is a list of diseases that dogs get, along with their symptoms.

Dog Diseases A to Z

Disease	Symptoms	Typical Treatments
Asthma	Difficulty breathing Blue or purple tinge to tongue or gums Lethargy Loss of appetite	Theophylline andTerbutaline may be recommended for clearing up the airways. Anti-Inflammatory tabs such asPrednisolone are prescribed to reduce pain and inflammation.
Alopecia	Hair loss and bald patches In some cases, scaly, inflamed, or discolored skin. Some dogs will start scratching or chewing at the affected areas, and others become lethargic	Alopecia resulting from allergies can be treated withantihistamines for dogs. Vets may also recommendskin and coat medications and supplements to reduce hair loss.
Anemia	Pallor, or lack of pigmentation in the gums, tongue, and inside the ear Lethargy	Anemia is a condition, which means its treatment depends on what's causing the condition. Anemia caused by ehrlichiosis would need specific medications such as doxycycline.
Arthritis	Limping Muscle loss Difficulty sitting Lethargy Less playful Grouchiness Unable to jump up	Anti-inflammatory medications such asRimadyl may be recommended to reduce pain and inflammation. Joint supplements for dogs such asJoint Max Triple Strength that contains chondroitin, MSM, and Glucosamine may also be recommended.
Cancer	Lumps or bumps under the skin Changes in eating habits Increased urination and/or drinking Difficulty exercising Weight loss Depression Discharge and sores Difficulty urinating	Depending on the type and stage, radiation therapy and surgical interventions may be recommended. Certain types of cancer can also be managed medically with medications such as Leukeran.
Carnassial Tooth Abscess	Swelling Discharge below the eye Fever Loss of appetite Depression	Antibiotics are often recommended to control the infection.
Cataracts	Cloudy or cracked looking pupils Redness, swelling, or inflammation of the eye Impaired vision Dizziness Vomiting Pacing Restlessness Less movement	Apart from surgical removal of the cataract, vets may recommend eye supplements such asOcu-GLO for dogs. Vets may also recommend othereye care medications such as anti-inflammatory eye drops.
Cherry Eye	Red, thick, irritated bump in the corner of the eye Rubbing or scratching the eye	While massage therapy may work, it should be recommended and done by a vet due to the high risk of trauma. Only in certain cases, surgery is recommended to treat the problem
Coccidia	Diarrhea mixed with mucus or blood Persistent diarrhea	Vets usually recommend Sulfadimethoxine medications such asAlbon Liquid.
Congestive Heart Failure	Intolerance of exercise Excessive panting Coughing Heart murmur	Medications such asVetmedin is often recommended to improve life expectancy. Vets often prescribe diuretics such as Lasix (Furosemide) andspironolactone to remove fluid buildup. Vets May also recommend vasodilators and ACE inhibitors.
Dandruff	Skin flakes Dry, irritated skin Excessive scratching, biting, and licking	Special medicated shampoos such asTropiclean Oxy Med Oatmeal may be recommended.
Degenerative Myelopathy	Difficulty getting up or sitting down Difficulty walking Clumsiness Trembling hind legs During the final stages, dogs may experience difficulty breathing, incontinence, organ failure, and muscle atrophy	Physical therapy, special exercises, and acupuncture may be recommended Often treated withvitamin supplements for dogs.
Demodectic Mange	Persistent itching Hair loss Bald spots Alopecia Scabbing Sores Lesions Redness Scaling	Usually treated with special shampoos and dips. Certainflea and tick medications for dogs can also work in treating demodectic mange.
Ear Infection	Hearing loss Inflammation and redness around the ear canal Milky, odorous discharge Unusual darting eye movement (nystagmus) Dragging infected ear on furniture or floor Shaking their head	Antibacterial and antifungal ear drops such asMometamax may be prescribed. Vets may also recommend NSAIDs to manage the pain.
Ear Mites	Brown, coffee ground-like particles Swelling in the ear Head shaking Scratching Odor	Specialear mite treatment kits to safely administer pyrethrins to kill mites in the ear canal is often recommended. Ear mite sprays can also effectively eradicate the infestation.
Ehrlichiosis	Fever Sores Inflammation of the blood vessels Nose bleeds Pale gums Swollen lymph nodes Breathing problems Coughing Increased urination Eye problems Lameness Confusion Disorientation Changes in behavior	Most vets prescribeDoxycycline for 6 to 8 weeks.
Elbow Dysplasia	Limping or lameness Favoring one leg Abnormal gait Swelling of the elbow Lethargy In pain	Rehabilitation therapy and surgery are common treatment options. NSAIDs such asCarprofen is usually prescribed to reduce discomfort.
Fibrosarcoma	A lump Ulceration and bleeding Swelling of the affected area Loss of appetite Loss in sociability In pain	Surgical removal of the tumor is the best and often the recommended course of treatment. Radiation therapy following surgery is often used to kill the remaining cells.
Flea Allergy Dermatitis	Severe itching Redness of the skin Pimple-like, pus-filled bumps Hair loss Rash Constant itching Recurrent tapeworm	Flea control products such as Revolution, Bravecto, Advantix II are recommended to kill the flea population. Antimicrobial wipes such as Nootie Dermatology Solutions may also help treat infected areas
Gastric Torsion	Bloat Empty retches Swollen midsection Increase in saliva production Difficulty breathing Fatigue Rapid heartbeat Pale gums Drop in body temperature Restlessness Anxiety Shock	Vets detect a rotated stomach based off clinical signs, the pet’s medical history, and X-Rays. If detected, vets perform stabilization procedures followed by surgery to put the stomach back in its place.
Gingivitis	Bleeding Redness Swollen gums Bad breath	Can be treated by regularly rinsing with Chlorhexidine. Special medicated gels likeOratene can also help in controlling the infection.
Glaucoma	Pain Redness and inflammation Dilated pupils Sensitivity to light Discharge Vision loss Cloudiness in cornea Enlarged eye Behavioral changes	Administration ofTimolol eye drops is often the preferred way of treating canine glaucoma.
Heartworm	Cough Fatigue Trouble breathing Reluctance to exercise Abnormal lung sounds	An injectable drug called melarsomine is often administered to kill adult worms present in the heart. Following successful treatment regular deworming usingheartworm medications for dogs should be recommended.
Hemangiosarcoma	Exhaustion Depression Disinterest in food Anemia	Removing the tumor surgically and chemotherapy.
High Blood Pressure	Rapid heart rate Dilated pupils Nosebleeds Blood in urine Difficulty seeing Enlarged thyroid gland Misshapen kidneys	Calcium channel blockers and beta blockers such asAtenolol is recommended. Vets commonly prescribe amlodipine to control high blood pressure. Low sodium diet is often prescribed following diagnosis.
Hip Dysplasia	Avoiding activities Trouble getting up or sitting down Difficulty jumping up Lameness	Surgical procedures such as total hip replacement may sometimes be recommended to improve function and reduce pain. Vets recommend apet bed warmer to provide comfort and relieve pain. Hip and joint supplements such asPet Naturals Hip + Joint are usually recommended to improve mobility. Vets usually prescribe NSAIDs along with Gabapentin to reduce pain.
Hookworm	Anemia Bloody or black stool Diarrhea Pruritus Dermatitis on the paw pads	Most multi-parasite dewormer such asIverhart Max that kills intestinal worms also kills hookworms.
Hot Spots	Sensitivity Circular, red, swollen patches Oozing pus or discharge Unpleasant odor Hair loss Excessive licking, biting, or scratching Fear or aggression	Topical medications such as sprays, foams, and creams are often recommended. Popular products include Vet's Best Hot Spot Spray , Zymox Topical Spray , and Earthbath Hot Spot Relief.
Hyperthyroidism*	Weight loss Increased appetite Excessive shedding Vomiting Diarrhea Hyperactivity Enlarged thyroid gland Trouble breathing Increased thirst and urine *Note that cases of Hyperthyroidism are extremely rare in dogs, more commonly found in cats. Dogs with a thyroid condition generally suffer from Hypothyroidism.	Antithyroid drugsmethimazole and carbimazole is the most common treatment option.
Hypothyroidism	Thinning fur on the body Dull coat Excessive shedding Thickening of the skin Darkened skin color Weight gain with decreased appetite Lethargy Intolerant of exercise Intolerant of the cold	Levothyroxine tabs are used to correct the thyroid levels and reduce symptoms.
Kennel Cough	Dry, hacking cough “Honking” sound Retching up a white, foamy discharge Snorting Nasal discharge Sneezing Pink eye	Antibiotic tabs such as Doxycycline, Baytril, andClavamox are usually the only treatment option.
Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca (aka Chronic Dry Eye)	Dullness or lack of “shine” to the eyes Discharge from the eyes Redness around the eyelid Sensitivity to light Rubbing or scratching at eyes Changes to the cornea Loss of vision Frantic behavior	Medications such as cyclosporine ( Optimmune ,Atopica ) and tacrolimus is recommended to encourage tear production. Neurogenic KCS can be treated withPilocarpine.
Liver Disease	Loss of appetite Weight loss Weakness or lack of energy Depression Vomiting and stomach pain Increased thirst and urination Jaundice	Supplements with milk thistle andSAM-E can improve liver function. Pets with liver tumor or cyst may need surgery.
Liver Shunt	Stunted growth Slow weight gain Poor muscle development Seizures Drooling Vomiting Diarrhea Head pressing Disorientation Depression Shaking Kidney and bladder infections Kidney stones	A surgical procedure to improve blood flow to the liver is often recommended by vets.
Lyme Disease	Depression Fever Lameness Loss of appetite Presence of ticks	Doxycycline andamoxicillin tabs are ideally prescribed.
Nuclear Sclerosis	Opaque, blue-gray lens in the eye Minor decrease in vision	Should be regularly monitored for cataract. No medical treatment is usually recommended.
Otitis Externa	Scratching or rubbing affected ear Head shaking or tilting Strong odor coming from ear Pain Red, thick underside of the ear Reluctance to open mouth wide Cauliflower-like appearance of the ear White discharge (if bacterial)	Anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory topical ointments for dogs such as Otomax are often prescribed by the vet to control the infection. Vets may also prescribe special otic gels such as Osurnia.
Parvo	Severe diarrhea Lethargy Vomiting Dehydration Blood in stool Especially odorous feces	Anti-nausea medication is often recommended. Intravenous fluid support may be prescribed to replenish electrolyte levels. Antibiotics such ascephalexin, fluoroquinolones, andampicillin may be prescribed.
Patellar Luxation	Difficulty walking Trouble getting up or sitting down Taking weight off one leg	Massage therapy is the most popular course of treatment. Surgical correction may be a good option at certain stages of the condition.
Periodontitis	Loose teeth Bad breath Tooth pain Sneezing Nasal discharge Loss of teeth	Teeth with excess tartar buildup may need dental cleaning done by a professional. Regular brushing with a quality dog toothpaste such as C.E.T. Enzymatic toothpaste is recommended. Oratene Antiseptic Oral Gel is often prescribed to control the infection.
Periapical abscess	Halitosis Discolored teeth Swollen gums Facial swelling	Antibiotics and NSAIDs such as Rimadyl and Quellin are recommended to quickly control the pain and inflammation. In certain cases, tooth extraction or root canal treatment may be necessary.
Proliferating gum disease	Increase in height and thickness of the gums Bleeding Bad breath Excessive drooling Decreased appetite	Vets usually recommend a strict dental care regimen. Anti-plaque medication such asOra-Clens Plaque Control is recommended along with regular brushing with a quality toothpaste such asNylabone Advanced. Vets may also recommend antibiotics to control severe gum infections.
Pruritus	Insatiable need to scratch, rub, chew, or lick the affected area	Treatment depends on what’s causing the itchiness. If it’s caused by seasonal allergies something likeVet's Best Seasonal Allergy Support can help. If the cause is fleas and mites a reputed flea and tick medication such asFrontline Plus can reduce the irritation by killing off the parasites.
Pyoderma	Red inflamed patches Hot spots Redness, papules, and pustules develop on the hair follicles Scabbed-over circular lesions Pain in the infected area Infection is warm to the touch Red streaks on the skin Pockets of pus	Bathing withantibacterial shampoo with chlorhexidine is recommended. Oral antibiotics may also be prescribed.
Rabies	Lethargy Fever Vomiting Excessive drooling Sensitivity Odd behavior like unchecked aggression, hallucinations, self-mutilation, and ataxia (appearing drunk)	There is no known treatment for rabies. Timely administration of anti-rabies vaccination is highly recommended.
Ringworm	Dry, scaly, missing patches of skin Lesions	To manage serious cases, vets prescribe anti-fungal meds for dogs such as fluconazole,ketoconazole, terbinafine, griseofulvin, or itraconazole. Anti-fungal sprays and ointments are recommended for treating minor cases.
Roundworm	Diarrhea Pot-bellied appearance Vomit Cough Weight loss Dull coat Blocked intestine	All quality multi-parasite intestinal dewormer kills roundworms. Some reputed products are Panacur C, Merck Safe-Guard, andBayer Quad.
Sarcoptic Mange	Persistent itching Redness Scabs Sores	Treating affected areas with a scabicide is the primary course of action. Antimicrobial shampoos such asMalaseb can help in reducing symptoms Lime sulphur dips and dips with ivermectin or selamectin is often recommended for as long as 6 weeks.
Sebaceous Adenitis	Stinking sores Scaling skin; Hair loss Lesions and sores around the head, neck, and back Itchiness Purplish looking skin	Light brushing to remove skin flakes is often recommended. Antimicrobial shampoo such as Malaseb andChloraSeb can provide symptomatic relief. Oil massage and moisturizing shampoos such asUltra Oatmeal can remove flaking of the skin.
Spondylosis	Stiffness Limping Restricted movement and rotation Sensitivity to touch Back pain Growths that you can feel along the spine	Common NSAIDs such as Rimadyl,Deramaxx, andPrevicox are recommended for pain management. Acupuncture treatment and physical therapy may help improve quality of life.
Tapeworm	Diarrhea Loss of appetite Vomiting Weight loss Irritability You may see tapeworm in your dog’s stool	Broadspectrum dewormers such asSentinel Spectrum and Iverhart Max work well in killing tapeworms. Specializedtapeworm dewormer may also be administered.
Upper Respiratory Infection	Sneezing Discharge from their eyes, nose, and throat Fever Drooling Difficulty swallowing Dry, rough cough	Antibiotics such as Doxycycline and Azithromycin is prescribed to reduce the infection.
Vestibular Disorder	Spinning or walking in circles Stumbling Lack of coordination Head tilting or shaking Wide, exaggerated stance Falling or rolling to the side Involuntary drifting or jerking eye movements (nystagmus) Abnormal eyeball alignment Vomiting Motion sickness Loss of appetite and thirst Sleeping on hard surfaces Sleeplessness	Dogs need to be restricted from climbing stairs or high places to prevent serious injury. Anti-nausea medication such asCerenia may also be prescribed.
Von Willebrand’s Disease	Bleeding gums Bloody urine Frequent nosebleeds Bruises easily Inability to clot	Different types of blood transfusions may be required to control severe conditions.
Whipworm	Bloody diarrhea Dehydration Weight loss Lethargy Anemia	All broadspectrum intestinal dewormers kill whipworms. Products include Drontal Plus, Interceptor Plus, and many others. Some meds such asTrifexis prevents fleas and heartworms along with controlling intestinal parasites.

Von Willebrand’s Disease in Dogs

Von Willebrand’s disease is an inherited genetic disorder that causes dogs’ bodies to have difficulty clotting blood. Particularly after surgery or an inadvertent trauma, this can be highly problematic. Even though there’s no cure for Von Willebrand’s disease in dogs, the condition can be managed in most pets. Learn more about how to detect Von Willebrand’s, the science behind what happens, and what to do if you discover your dog has the disease.

Causes of Von Willebrand’s Disease in Dogs

Von Willebrand’s disease occurs when there is a problem with the Von Willebrand’s factor, which is a set of protein molecules that works within the blood to help create clots. The problems that could occur are either a shortage of the factor, or a deficiency in the makeup of the factor. Three variants of the disease exist:

Type 1: When dogs have type 1, the most common variant, they have less Von Willebrand’s factor within their blood than they need. The mildest form of the disease, this type is often symptomless, and is often detected post-surgery when the dog doesn’t properly clot.
Type 2: This type is more serious than type 1. Dogs will have less Von Willebrand’s factor within their blood, and it also won’t be properly composed.
Type 3: In this very serious type of the disease, the Von Willebrand’s factor is missing altogether.

This disease is inherited through either of the parents, and is more common in some breeds than in others, such as Dobermans, Golden Retrievers, Rottweilers, German Shepherds, and Poodles.

Symptoms of the Disease

Many dogs with this disease will remain symptomless until surgery or a traumatic event if they have type 1. Dogs with more severe variants might have bleeding gums or bloody urine, or experience frequent bruises and nose bleeds. The most revealing symptom occurs when a dog is bleeding, and fails to stop bleeding naturally, since the blood is not properly coagulating and clotting. Very often, the problem is detected during the routine surgeries a dog has as a puppy like being spayed or neutered.

Treatment of Von Willebrand’s

Unfortunately, no cure exists for Von Willebrand’s, and since the disease is inherited from a dog’s parents, no prevention exists either. If you are considering breeding your dog, it’s important to test if they have this disorder, since it would pass to their offspring.

It’s important to have a plan for dealing with Von Willebrand’s disease prior to any surgery, since coagulation is so key to recovery. Leading into surgery, your vet can provide the dog with a hormone that leads to creation of Von Willebrand’s factor within the blood -- unfortunately, the effect only occurs for a short amount of time, so this hormone isn’t a cure for the disease in the long term.

More on Dog Health

Signs on Strong Dental Health in Dogs
5 Ways Neutering Makes Your Pet Healthier
Health and Veterinary Care for Pregnant Dogs
4 Reasons Your Dog May Need Glucosamine and Chondroitin

This information is for informational purposes only and is not meant as a substitute for the professional advice of, or diagnosis or treatment by, your veterinarian with respect to your pet. It has, however, been verified by a licensed veterinarian for accuracy.

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