Deadly Dog Diseases that You can Totally Prevent

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Having a dog can be a very rewarding experience. Their affection and unfailing loyalty can be a mood lifter when you are down and their presence can be very comforting. However it can be heartbreaking when your furry baby gets sick, and watching it suffer can be absolutely gut-wrenching.With a little extra care and caution you can ensure that your dog stays protected from a bunch of deadly diseases. Putting in the little extra effort can go a long way in keeping your pet healthy and free of pain and discomfort.Here are a few potentially deadly dog diseases with tips on how you can prevent them

1. Parvovirus or Parvo: The Parvovirus is spread through the feces of infected dogs. The disease affects the heart and intestines of the animal and can be fatal if left untreated. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea and extreme weight loss. Fortunately there is a vaccine for this highly contagious viral infection which can protect puppies and young dogs from contracting it.
2. Lyme disease: This disease that is spread through tick bites leads to kidney failure and death when not detected early. Symptoms include swollen lymph nodes, pain while walking, decreased appetite, fever and listlessness. The disease can be prevented by keeping your dog tick free through regular grooming, checking the fur after time outdoors and using a tick repellent. Treatment includes a course of antibiotics prescribed by the vet.
3. Canine Distemper: This is also a viral disease that is highly contagious. The virus spreads quickly between dogs in close proximity to each other and can cause widespread infection in shelters. Symptoms include, coughing, vomiting, discharge from the nose and eyes, convulsions and seizures. Distemper cannot be treated and is fatal. However the disease can be prevented by vaccinating your pet.
4. Kidney disease: Many dogs develop kidney disease as they get older and some breeds are more prone to others. Symptoms of kidney disease can include fever, vomiting, reduced appetite, reduced intake of water and less frequent urination. There could be several causes for kidney disease but a few preventive measures can help protect your dog. Keep gums and teeth clean to prevent infections that can enter the blood stream and damage kidneys. Dogs can also get kidney disease from accidentally ingesting household chemicals like antifreeze, so be sure to keep these out of reach from your dog. Make sure that your dog is drinking sufficient water daily.
5. Chocolate poisoning: Now this one is absolutely preventable. Yes, chocolate is toxic to dogs and can cause death. Be vigilant and make sure that you don’t leave candy bars lying around the place where your furry baby can reach them. All it takes is a bit of caution to prevent a heartbreaking incident.

Stay safe and keep your pups safe too.

7 Things To Do With Your New Puppy To Prevent Disease

It’s an exciting time when a puppy joins the family, but puppies need lots of care to grow up into healthy dogs. Follow these seven tips, and your puppy will be on the right path to wellness.

1. Choose a well-balanced diet

One of the most important things you can do to take care of your puppy’s health for life is to choose the right dog food. Our guide to dog food has a ton of answers, but remember that you can always ask your vet for help too. Don’t be afraid to switch dog foods if you haven’t found the right one, and be sure to follow these instructions for switching dog food. You should also keep in mind the people foods that dogs should avoid.

2. Get daily exercise

Your dog can suffer many of the same conditions as humans if they become overweight, such as joint strain, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. While any breed of dog can become overweight, some breeds are more susceptible than others. Check to see if your puppy is one of the seven breeds that are most prone to becoming fat. Make sure you get your puppy outside every day for a walk or a run, plus some play time.

3. Brush your puppy’s teeth

Regular brushing can prevent periodontal disease and even stomach problems. Cleaning a dog’s teeth regularly, starting in puppyhood, will help them (and you) adjust to the feeling and the routine. Learn how and how often to brush your dog’s teeth.

4. Keep your puppy well-groomed

Keeping your dog’s coat clean and brushed will help prevent skin conditions resulting from mats and tangles. Keeping tabs on the appearance of your dog’s clean coat may alert you to dullness, which can be a sign of a greater health issue. Bathe your puppy as needed, but preferably no more than once per month, or you risk drying out and irritating your dog’s skin.

5. Clean your puppy’s ears

Ear cleaning can be done at bath time, around once a month. Never go down into the ear canal, but gently wipe around the opening of the ear. While cleaning your puppy’s ears, look for signs of infection, which include odor, red skin, discharge or debris, and head shaking and scratching at the ears. Be sure your dog’s ears are dry after bathing, because wet ears can cause infection.

6. Take parasite prevention seriously

Run your hands all over your puppy every day to check for ticks and remove them as soon as possible to prevent Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases. Follow your vet’s advice to get your dog on regular heartworm and flea & tick medication. Become a member of PetPlus, the prescription plan for pets, to save up to 75% off medications, vaccinations, and vet bills.

7. Get your puppy vaccinated

Puppies should be vaccinated at around 6 to 8 weeks of age for distemper, canine parvovirus, canine hepatitis, and rabies. Talk with your vet about other vaccines they might encourage, and learn and obey your local laws regarding vaccines. Some states and areas of the country may have additional recommended vaccines.

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