One of the key factors when owning a dog, is to ensure that the puppy or dog is vaccinated against the most prolific diseases and probably more essential is to ensure that vaccines are kept up to date.

There are two different types of vaccines, modified live formulas and inactivated formula. Each has its own advantages as to the best and most efficient protection, a vet will advise as to which is the most suitable to use.

Both local and state laws in America include rabies vaccinations as this fatal dog disease can be transmitted to humans, vaccination helps to reduce the number of infected domestic dogs. Within the UK rabies vaccinations are required for any dog entering the country; if the blood tests are returned as positive the dog will be quarantined.

Distemper, one of the most prolific types of canine disease, is thought to be the worst virus which a dog can catch. Vaccination is required with regular booster to ensure the dog’s immunity is upheld.

Another common canine disease is Lyme disease, this is an bacterial infection which is spread by ticks causing a dog to become very unwell, antibiotics from a vet is the best course of action in treating Lyme disease. There are another three varieties of tick diseases in America, all of which can usually be treated with antibiotics. Although humans can get Lyme disease it is not transmitted via a dog, humans can also be successfully treated with a course of antibiotics.

If Heartworms are left untreated it is inevitable that the dog will die, Heartworms are parasites which attacks the dog’s heart, they grow and multiply very rapidly, treatments can be obtained from a vet or brought from pet stores.

Canine disease is as common as human diseases, there are different diseases which affect specific organs and parts of a dog, such as kidney disease, the signs and symptoms of these various diseases can sometimes be detected from the change in a dog’s normal behaviours, eating and exercise regimes, any changes or abnormal discharges or noticeable discomforts should be taken seriously.

Home diagnosis is sometimes possible, however, it is advisable to have any illness and suspected canine disease confirmed and diagnosed by a vet, as misdiagnosis and wrong treatments can sometimes cause more harm than good.

Everyone watches their dog throughout the course of a day and will soon begin to realise if the dog’s nose has become un-typically dry or overly wet.

The following dog symptom, dry nose with no discharge, bright clear eyes, beautiful glossy coat, good healthy appetite and a generally happy disposition all indicate a healthy dog so there is no need to worry!

If you keep the dog properly vaccinated against all the common illnesses such as Parvo, rabies, distemper and influenza when the dog shows any signs of being unwell these can be discounted straight away.

If the dog has a nasal discharge it is advisable to take him or her to the vets for a check up. Give as much information as you can to the vet to help a correct diagnosis to be made. This includes any coughing or sneezing the dog has also any difficulty breathing and how long these the dog has had these symptoms, as these may indicate an infection. Also if the dog symptoms include a dry nose which is unusual this should also be mentioned.

Other dog symptom problems that may come up are; dry nose which has become flaky, crusty, scabs or open sores  all of whichshould be seen by the vet immediately. Ill dogs often have a dry, warm nose as well as other symptoms of being unwell such as vomiting and diarrhoea.

A dry nose on a dog may also be a sign of not enough humidity in the air and it is also quite common for a dog’s nose to become dry when they are sleeping.

There are some breeds such as Cocker Spaniels, which have a tendency to have a dry nose. To help prevent the nose from cracking and becoming sore, moisturisers can be gently rubbed onto it daily.

Dog symptom, dry nose, weeping eyes etc. may also indicate that the dog has an allergy to either vegetation or an allergy to a certain food, it is advisable to seek advice from the vet if you are at all concerned about the health of a dog.

If you think the dog has diabetes they may drink more water than is normal, urinate more frequently and they may also lose weight. Take the dog to the vets for a diagnosis which is usually determined by blood tests.

As there is no cure for diabetes the treatment may also include daily injections of insulin. If this is the case the vet will show you how to do this and also how to check the dog’s insulin levels by testing the urine for sugar levels each day.

The dog’s diet will need to be controlled by a high fiber, complex carbohydrates and protein diet with a reduction in the amount of fats. The dog will also need to be fed at the same times each day and be given plenty of daily exercise. High fibre oats are a good way to try and eliminate sudden rises in blood glucose levels. Adding vegetables to the diet and giving small regular feeds may also help to stabilize glucose levels in the blood for fussy eaters or one substantial meal at the same time every day if the dog has a normal appetite and no food fads.

Everyone in the household should help control the diabetes by not giving any snacks or tip bits as this will upset the balance of the blood sugar levels which are being controlled by diet and exercise.
There is a variety of different diabetic dog food available to buy from pet stores. They are generally the dried biscuit variety which provides the dog with slow releasing complex carbohydrates and also have added vitamins to promote health. Many of these diabetic dog foods are also made with real meat such as chicken and contain no chemical additives. As the dried food absorbs water it swells in the stomach and helps the dog to feel fuller for longer. These diabetic dog foods also help overweight dogs as the majority of dogs with diabetes are overweight this is an ideal solution to control both the diabetes and help with weight lose.
To effectively cut costs of dog diabetes it is also possible to make your own diabetic dog food by giving a variety of protein such as turkey or chicken with the excess fat removed and adding fresh vegetables. Carbohydrates such as oats may also be added into the food. As long as the sugar content is monitored the diabetic dog food can contain many foods that humans eat, including fresh fruit as these contain natural sugars.

Obviously if the owner knows that their dog has eaten something irregular that this may the reason for the illness, as most dogs are scavengers it is important to keep a close eye on what the dog consumes; this is most important when the dog is off the leash when being exercised. If the dog suddenly begins to salivate profusely and shows signs of unable to breathe, then there may be a probability that the dog has eaten something poisonous. This could include infected food, plants or rodents which have been themselves killed by manmade poisons. The dog will need immediate treatment from a vet. In order for the vet to make a correct diagnosis if at all possible a sample of the suspected poison should be shown to the vet, along with details of how quickly the dog has begun to show any different dog illness symptoms.

Dog symptoms which include any discharge from the ears or nose should be taken very seriously and the dog taken to the vets where he or she may well take swabs to determine which infection or illness the dog has. Infections are often treated with a course of antibiotics.

Other dog symptoms which include loss of appetite and a dull coat which has a ‘heavy’ texture, rather than the dog’s normal coat ‘feel’ is a sign that the dog is unwell.

Loss of appetite needs to be watched closely and although it most probably is not too much of a worry if a dog misses one or two meals, it is imperative that the dog is encouraged to drink otherwise dehydration can very quickly become a serious problem. The dog should be wrapped in a blanket and taken to the vets if it refuses to drink, the vet will then be able to carry out an examination as to the overall general health of the dog.

If immediate diagnosis is not forthcoming the vet may well take blood tests to rule out numerous different illness and diseases, which will generally include a test for the numbers of both white and red blood cells. The results of the blood cell counts will tell the vet whether the dog is anemic, diabetic and includes tests to ensure immune systems are working efficiently.

Whatever dog symptoms of illness the dog is displaying the most important thing to do is take the dog to the vets to enable the correct treatments to be administered.

The signs that a dog may have an ear infection include the dog scratching the ear, shaking the head or holding the head to one side, obviously if the dog winces or yelps in pain when the ear is touched indicates that there may be a problem. It is important to take the dog to the vets for a professional diagnosis, it is strongly advised not to use cotton buds to try and remove excess wax or discharge as this will push any foreign objects further down the ear canal.

If an ear infection is left untreated it will probably go deeper into the ear, the pain of an inner ear infection may affect the dog’s balance and coordination as well as causing the dog to vomit or walk round in circles.

Dog infection of the ear can also be related to skin allergies which cause the ears to become very itchy, the dog continually scratches the itching which can lead to the delicate skin tissue of the ear to be broken and sore. Once the skin has been damaged it leaves the skin open to infection which will need to be treated by a vet.

Another common cause for a dog infection of the ear is professional dog grooming salons plucking hairs out of a dog’s ear. This practice is not recommended as the open pores which are left are potentially a breeding ground for bacteria which can lead to ear infection. If the dog has matted hairs in the ear which are blocking the air flow the vet will remove this.

It is possible to soften the matt of hair with warm coat conditioner and then tease the matt open with the finger tips and very carefully cut off the matt. Regular grooming and care of the dog should prevent hair matt from forming, which is far easier than trying to remove them.

When a dog has been in long grasses the ears should be checked to ensure that there are no fox-tails. If a fox-tail is suspected the dog should be taken to the vet to have it removed as fox-tail left in place inside the ear can cause a dog infection which is extremely painful.

Parasites such as tape worms and round worms are the most common types of worms encountered.
Round worms often infest puppies; they are white or pale pink in color and look similar to angle worms. In adult dogs round worms can be between three to seven inches long and as thick as string. Round worms live in the small intestine of the dog and it is not unusual if left untreated for them to coil into masses which block parts of the intestines. They can also travel into the dog’s stomach or be passed from the bowel in the dogs faeces.

The round worms are spread by contaminated faeces, millions of eggs can scattered onto floors, bedding and feeding bowls as well as the dog’s coat. As the dog eats or licks the eggs are reintroduced inside the dog, round worms can very easily be spread to other dogs, especially others living in close quarters such as kennels.

The most common signs that a dog has worms include a dry nose, foul breath, skin conditions and a cough. Dogs with worms can often be so hungry that they will constantly ask for food and even eat rubbish and the next day eat barely anything. They will urinate more frequently and have irregular bowel movements as well as vomiting watery mucus and having ropey excess saliva.

Worms can cause puppies and dogs to become very ill, if you think your dog has worms then treatments and consultation with the vets is advisable.

Fleas are not only a common pest they can cause allergic reactions, dog illness symptoms caused by fleas include hair loss, dermatitis, itching and continual scratching which can lead to skin infections, in cases of serious flea infestations dogs and puppies it has been known to cause their death.

Fleas management is essential to ensure that fleas are continuously looked for and treated immediately by use of sprays, powders and applications applied directly onto the dog’s skin. There are also flea treatments from vets which sterilize the fleas to help reduce the quantities. Dog fleas can also spread the double-pored dog tapeworm.

Dog illness symptoms which are shown by discharge from the ears and increased ear wax may be an indication that the dog has ear mites. The vet will take ear swabs and if ear mites are identified a treatment of drops instilled over a couple of weeks recommended. If the discharge is thick the vet may wash the dog’s ear out to ensure that the drops have better contact with the mites. If the discharge is yellow to brown in color the dog may have a yeast or bacterial ear infection which can be treated with antibiotics.