As a dog owner, it is important to know the common diseases and their remedies to take appropriate care of your pet. Several dogs suffer from different types of health issues. Unfortunately, some of these health issues may be fatal if they are not treated at the right time. So knowing about the causes, pet medications, and home remedies for some common diseases in dogs will help you to save your dog's life. In this blog, let's discuss the possible causes of the most common diseases in dogs and how to treat them at home.
Mange
Mange is a skin disease caused by mites and can cause hair loss, skin irritation, and infections. Mites are tiny arachnids that burrow into your dog's skin to live and breed. They're contagious and can be spread from dog to dog. You'll know if your dog has mange if he has red or pink bumps on his skin, itching or flaking of the coat, crusty scabs at the site of open sores on the body, heavy shedding or dandruff-like clumps in their fur.
If you suspect your pup has mange, take him to your vet immediately because it's treatable with medication. Home remedies for treating common diseases include:
-
Keeping infected dogs separated from other pets to prevent further spread;
-
Bathing infected dogs with soap made specifically for sensitive skin or flea shampoo for dogs;
-
Keeping them warm so as not to stress them out too much;
-
Feeding them nutritious food daily.
Kennel Cough
Kennel cough is a contagious disease that affects the respiratory tract. It's caused by a virus and can be transmitted to other dogs through sound, touch, or the air. Symptoms of kennel cough include sneezing and coughing, runny nose, eye discharge, fever, and loss of appetite.
There are several things you can do at home to treat your dog's case of kennel cough:
-
Keep your dog warm in cool environments by placing a towel around his body or covering him with blankets on cold nights.
-
Increase hydration for your dog by adding water to their food or mixing it into their wet food with added vitamins A & C.
-
Give antihistamine medications such as Benadryl for cats and dogs or Diphenhydramine for dogs if the swelling becomes too severe.
Parvovirus
Parvovirus is a highly contagious and life-threatening disease that affects dogs. Parvo is spread through feces, which means it can be transmitted by simply stepping in infected feces on the ground. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy. Because parvo attacks the intestines, it's important to seek veterinary care as soon as possible if your dog has been exposed to the virus. Maintaining a healthy diet is the key to overcoming severe diarrhea conditions in dogs. A vet can suggest a Hill’s Prescription Diet that is easy to digest and suited to meet your dog's nutritional requirements.
Parvo isn't curable, but treatment can help manage symptoms and offer comfort for your dog during recovery. Treatment usually involves IV fluids to rehydrate them after days without eating or drinking due to vomiting or diarrhea. Antibiotics for dogs may also be necessary depending on whether bacterial infections are present along with parvo symptoms.
Dog Flu
Dog flu is a highly contagious viral infection in dogs. The virus spreads from animals to humans, so proper care should be taken when handling and treating your dog. Here are some home remedies for treating dog flu:
-
Use Ginger roots to make tea for your dog by boiling four grams of ginger roots in one liter of water for about 30 minutes. After the mixture cools down, strain it through a muslin cloth and give 2-4 ml per kg of body weight daily for two weeks. You can also use this remedy on puppies over six weeks old who weigh 10 pounds or more.
-
Give your dog vitamins A, D3, and E daily if you notice that he has lost his appetite due to the illness. These vitamins will help prevent bone loss due to malnutrition. However, consult with your veterinarian before giving out any supplements or medicines as they may interact with other medicines you might be giving him.
Heartworm Disease
Heartworm disease is caused by a parasite in a dog’s heart and lungs. The adult female heartworm lays eggs in the dog's body tissue, which can then pass to other animals through mosquito bites. If your dog does not receive heartworm treatment, he could die from heart failure or an infection caused by them. A monthly preventative medication like Heartgard Plus will protect him from getting this deadly disease.
Ear Infection
Ear Infection is one of the most common dog diseases you can experience. The ears are extremely sensitive and should be treated with utmost care. Many home remedies can help you treat your dog's ear infection, but it is always recommended to consult a vet before trying them out on your own.
-
If possible, bring your dog to a veterinary clinic for treatment as soon as you notice any symptoms of an ear infection.
-
Give your pet warm water baths and clean its ears regularly using cotton swabs dipped in warm water or hydrogen peroxide if there is no discharge from the ear canal yet.
-
Apply olive oil into their ears twice daily until symptoms start improving, preventing wax buildup and bacterial growth. However, do not apply too much pressure since it may damage the eardrums.
-
If the above remedies do not work, use over-the-counter dog ear cleaner to clean your dog's ear frequently.
Flea & Ticks
If you think your dog may be infested with fleas and ticks, don't panic, there are a few simple steps to take to help you get rid of them.
Ticks are the most common external parasites that can cause serious health problems in dogs. They can transmit diseases, such as Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Ticks also can cause an allergic reaction called tick paralysis if they bite a dog and inject part of its saliva into them.
The best way to treat fleas and ticks at home is by using insecticides such as Advantage Multi for dogs or Frontline Plus for cats. Gently apply these medicines on your pet's skin between their shoulder blades once a month during the summer when these insects typically thrive outdoors. However, you can reduce the frequency during colder weather.
Eye Infection
Bacteria, viruses, or fungi can cause eye infections. They can cause redness, discharge, and pain around the eye. Some dogs have recurring eye infections because of an underlying condition such as long-term allergies or diabetes.
In most cases, an eye infection is treated with antibiotics given by mouth or drops placed into your dog's eyes twice daily for seven to 14 days. You may also use an antibiotic ointment to help prevent scarring and improve healing time. Over-the-counter dog eye drops can also effectively cure several eye infections in dogs.
Stomach Upset
When it comes to dogs, stomach upset is a common problem. The signs of stomach upset include:
-
Vomiting
-
Licking the mouth or lips frequently.
-
Lethargy and lack of energy.
-
Diarrhea (more watery than normal) or constipation (harder stools that are difficult to pass).
Home remedies for treating this condition in your dog include:
-
Feeding smaller meals throughout the day instead of one large meal at night. Smaller meals will help prevent bloating and gas buildup in your dog's digestive system.
-
Feeding canned pumpkins daily or adding pumpkin puree to their diet if they have diarrhea or constipation. Pumpkin has soluble fiber that helps bind together loose stools, so they pass more easily through the intestine without causing discomfort for your pet.
Blood Pressure
Blood pressure is the force of blood against the walls of your arteries as the heart pumps blood throughout your body. It is measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). Normal blood pressure for dogs is 120/80 mm Hg.
To treat high blood pressure at home, bring your dog's salt intake down to 100 to 150 mg daily. Monitor this over time and increase it gradually to see if it affects his or her weight and activity level. Lowering sodium can be achieved by:
-
Giving fewer table scraps or rawhide chews, which contain large amounts of salt;
-
Switching brands when buying canned food that contains high sodium content;
-
Adding more fresh fruits and vegetables that have little or no added salt;
-
Finding low-sodium treats made specifically for dogs;
-
Avoid human foods such as tomato sauce, pickles, ketchup, olives, and other salty foods altogether since these are often high in sodium due to added spices.
Arthritis & Joint Pain
Arthritis is a common problem in dogs. It is usually caused by old age but can also be caused by injury or infection. Arthritis causes inflammation and joint pain, which may worsen over time unless you take steps to treat your dog's arthritis.
Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids can help relieve joint pain in dogs with arthritis. Omega-3 fatty acids come from fish oil, flaxseed oil, and other sources that you might find at a health food store. You can give your dog 1/4 teaspoon of these oils per 10 pounds of body weight each day if he has arthritis or joint pain due to injury or illness.
Deworming
Deworming is an important part of dog care. It removes worms from the body and helps keep your pet healthy and happy. However, you must use a dewormer for dogs to kill off these parasites, which can be a problem if not treated in time.
When deworming a dog, it's important to know that there are two different types: topical (applied to the skin) or oral (swallowed). Topical treatments only kill fleas, while oral treatments will eliminate fleas and internal parasites like tapeworms or roundworms and other bugs like ticks and mosquitoes.
Conclusion
If you have a dog, you know how much love and joy they bring to your home. But sometimes, even the most well-loved pets can get sick. Pet owners need to know about natural remedies for common ailments in dogs.
We compiled this list of home remedies based on their effectiveness and how easy (or difficult) it is to use each one. Hopefully, these tips will help save money on vet bills or give peace of mind when it comes time for your furry friend's next checkup with the doctor.