3 Common Dog Illnesses

These common dog illnesses are also potentially fatal if left untreated. Our South Charlotte vets offer guidance on signs and symptoms to keep in mind.

Common Dog Illnesses

Even the most attentive owners can miss signs of illnesses or conditions that appear in our furry friends. Here are 3 common dog illnesses and their symptoms.

Cancer

Many types of cancer - including skin, breast, and bone cancers, soft tissue sarcomas, and malignant lymphomas - can afflict dogs as they enter old age. Though some breeds are at higher risk than others to fall ill from cancer due to genetic factors, environmental factors can also come into play.

Cancers can be difficult to detect early in dogs if little to no symptoms appear, but owners should be on alert for these classic symptoms of cancer:

• Abnormal bleeding
• Lumps or bumps
• Wounds that don’t heal
• Enlarged lymph nodes
• Lameness or swelling in bones or other parts of the body

Depending on the type of cancer, a specialist may be able to remove the tumor and there may be options to treat or cure the disease, or prolong your dog’s life by months or years. Early detection and treatment will be critical to survival.

Canine Coronavirus

This highly contagious intestinal infection often has no symptoms and will sometimes clear up by itself. But coupled with other infections such as parvovirus, this virus can spell trouble as it can be fatal to puppies.

Symptoms of Canine Coronavirus (when they do appear) can include:

• Dehydration
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea

To treat this virus, your vet will provide electrolytes and extra fluids.

Ear Infections

Beware if your dog has been shaking his or head more often lately, scratching their ear, or whining; they could have an infection and need to see a vet.

Ear infections can have varying causes, such as wax buildup or moisture in the ears (which gives bacteria and yeast a chance to thrive), autoimmune disorders or allergies.

More symptoms that may indicate an ear infection include:

• Pain
• Odor
• Itchiness
• Dark discharge
• Swelling or redness in the ear canal
• Scabs or “crustiness”

Because the infection can potentially reach other parts of your dog’s ear and lead to more serious conditions such as paralysis or loss of hearing, any sign of an ear infection should be treated by a vet as soon as possible.

What should I do if my dog is ill?

If you do see any of the signs above in your dog, it’s imperative that they visit a vet as soon as possible.

At Sharon Lakes Animal Hospital, our veterinarians diagnose and treat challenging cases, and have experience managing patients with multiple diseases or disorders. We also refer to experienced specialists if required.

Are you seeing symptoms of illness in your dog? Contact us at Sharon Lakes Animal Hospital to book an appointment today.