There are numerous health problems that your dog may experience from time to time. Most of those ailments are not usually life threatening, providing you know how they should be prevented or treated. Today, we will take a look at 6 of the most common ailments, and and explain some ways to avoid your dog from catching them.
Distemper virus
The distemper virus is an airborne sickness that poses a high risk. This virus can be prevented by giving your dog 3 vaccinations when he is between 6 and 16 weeks of age, along with his regular annual booster shot. The symptoms from this virus contain fever, cough, diarrhea, and vomiting. If your dog has these signs or symptoms, you need to immediately take him to see the vet.
Heartworms
Heartworms are one of the most common ailments with all dog breeds. They are often able to reach lengths of up to 12 inches inside the heart as well as the lung and arteries, leading to heart failure, or a decrease in blood circulation, and perhaps death in some cases. The symptoms with heartworms may well not appear until it is too late, so you would be better off preventing them by using the correct heartworm medicines prescribed by your vet.
Heatstroke
During the summer months or very hot days, your Golden Retriever can quite easily get heatstroke. You can possibly prevent this from happening by making sure your dog lots of water to drink, and never leaving him in direct sunlight. If you happen to be playing together on a hot day, you must give him plenty of time to rest so he doesn't overdo it. The signs indicating a heatstroke will be a lot of panting or drooling, dark gums, weakened limbs, a glazed expression, rapid pulse, and also vomiting. In case your dog starts to display any of these signs and symptoms, stop instantly, find some shade and lie your dog down, if possible pour some cool water over his body to try to reduce his temperature, should the symptoms persist, then you must definitely take him to the vet.
Rabies
Rabies is one of the much more critical ailments that your dog can get, as it has an adverse affect on your dog's nervous system. Ordinarily, dogs get rabies via a bite from another animal that has been infected with the sickness. You will find rabies shots will help to stop the disease, make sure they receive one every year. The symptoms of rabies will be seizures, aggression, and foaming at the mouth. When you suspect your dog has rabies, you need to call the vet immediately.
Tapeworms
Tapeworms are usually caused by fleas, and have an effect on your dog's stomach. The symptoms for tapeworms consist of a loss in weight, diarrhea, and even biting from the rectal location. You are able to easily prevent your dog from tapeworms by using a rigid flea control. If your dog exhibits signs of having tapeworms, you must take him to the vet quickly. If the vet catches them in time, he may be able to kill the tapeworms simply with an oral medicine.
Hookworms
Hookworms result from your dog coming into contact with with feces, his mother, or the worm can merely burrowing under exposed skin. You are able to reduce the risk of your dog from getting hookworms by cleaning his living area and keeping his skin clean. The signs that accompany hookworms will be a dry coat, weight loss, weakness, and blood in the stool. As with all other ailments, you must quickly contact your vet if your dog demonstrate any of these signs.
While these are just some of the most widespread ail