Infectious diseases of dogs
Infectious diseases of dogs
It is a well-known truth that disease is easier to prevent than to treat. An interesting fact is that puppies receive their first-ever vaccination against infectious diseases with the first sip of their mother's colostrum.
The colostrum contains ready-made antibodies, which are then present in the puppy's body until 4-18 weeks of age. This is what is known as passive immunity.
Active immunity is produced in the body after the dog has had an infection and antibodies are present in his blood that causes immunity to the disease he has suffered. The point of vaccination is precisely to develop artificial active immunity. Dogs are injected with weakened germs of this or that disease, thereby causing the body to produce antibodies against the vaccinated infection. That's why after vaccination the dog may feel unwell, lethargic, lacking appetite for a few days. During this period, the dog's immunity is weakened, so avoid large physical exertion, hypothermia, bathing.
Below we give a table of the most common infectious diseases of dogs. These diseases are viral or bacterial, transmitted from dog to dog, can sometimes be transmitted to humans (rabies), and are often fatal. Vaccination is the only way to protect against infectious diseases. Adult dogs are vaccinated once a year.
|
Infection |
Description |
Ways of infection |
Symptoms |
Forecasts |
|
Plague of carnivores (plague) |
The causative agent is a virus - It has different forms: intestinal, pulmonary, cutaneous, nervous, mixed. Not dangerous to humans |
From a sick animal, through household items, through the air. |
Fever up to 39.5 ° C or higher, depending on the form, possible respiratory tract inflammation, discharge from the eyes and nose, diarrhea, vomiting, seizures. |
Puppies from 2 months to 1 year old are the most susceptible, mortality among puppies is 75%, among adult dogs - 50%. After the disease, the dog may have limb paralysis and epilepsy for life. |
|
Rabies |
The causative agent is a virus. Affects the brain and CNS. Transmitted to humans through a bite. |
Through a bite, saliva, |
Mood swings, inadequate behavior, hallucinations, aggression, refusal of food and water. Profuse secretion of saliva. Paralysis. |
The mortality rate is 100%. |
|
Parvovirus enteritis (parvovirosis) |
The causative agent is a virus. It has different forms: intestinal, cardiac, mixed. It is not dangerous for humans. |
Contact with a sick animal. Through the feces of a sick animal. The virus can exist for a long time without its host. |
Severe and persistent vomiting, fever. Dehydration, heart failure |
Mortality in puppies is up to 50%, in adult dogs
5-30%. |
|
Leptospirosis |
The causative agent is bacteria. It has two forms: hemorrhagic and jaundice. Affects the liver and circulatory system, Can be transmitted to humans. |
Through contaminated urine, direct contact with a sick animal. |
Fever over 39.5 ° C, lethargy, refusal to eat, diarrhea with blood, ulcers on the mucous membranes. |
Depending on the form of the disease. In the acute form, the mortality rate is up to 80%. In subacute form, it is 30-50%, in chronic form the prognosis is favorable. |
| Tracheobronchitis (kennel cough) |
Bacterial and viral nature. Not transmissible to humans. |
Airborne. Mostly in places where dogs congregate, including exhibitions. |
Prolonged dry, sharp cough, purulent nasal discharge. |
The prognosis is favorable with proper treatment. The disease lasts for several weeks. |
| Infectious hepatitis |
The causative agent is a virus. Affects cells of the liver, kidneys, lymph nodes. Not dangerous to humans. |
Through direct contact with an infected animal or household items, through urine. |
Fever, apathy, refusal to eat, nasal discharge, enlarged liver. Vomiting, Blurring of the cornea of the eyes. |
Affects mainly puppies 3-12 months old. In the acute course, the mortality rate is 100%. In acute and subacute cases the prognosis is favorable. |
As you can see from the table above, the symptoms of various infectious diseases are similar, and in the case of chronic disease, the symptoms may be implicit. If you suspect that something is "wrong" with your pet, grab him in an umbrella and take him to the vet. Only at the clinic will he receive the correct diagnosis based on tests and instrumental examinations and prescribe the necessary treatment.
