|
Disease
|
Symptoms
|
Typical Treatments
|
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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.
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|
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 petโs 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
- โHonkingโ 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 โshineโ 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 whatโs causing
the itchiness.
If itโs 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 dogโs 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 Willebrandโs
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.
|
