Common viral and bacterial diseases
If not killed by the immune system,
viruses can develop into viral diseases or infections. These can be as simple as
bronchitis or as complex and damaging as rabies or heart disease. Once a virus
has gotten past the immune system, it begins killing cells in the body. This
results in disease and the symptoms of the disease. What can occur after
infection depends a great deal on which virus has invaded the body, but below
are a few common viral and bacterial diseases.
- Parvovirus:
Many people currently feel that the canine version of this virus is actually
a mutation of the parvovirus that’s common in cats. It’s a very hardy virus
and can survive for up to six months without a host – it also withstands
common disinfectants. Because it is spread through infected fecal matter,
pups who have a nasty habit of eating other dogs’ feces are at high risk.
But because the virus is only needed in small quantities to cause disease or
severe infection, your dog can contract it just by licking her feet or fur
after coming into contact with fecal matter. Its spread through the
bloodstream ultimately leads it to the bone marrow, intestinal lining, and
other areas where cells replicate quickly. Symptoms include stomach pain,
vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy, but lack of proper treatment can cause
shock and death.
- Distemper:
The troubling side to this condition is that, even after
successful treatment through antibiotics, dogs often develop encephalitis.
The brain inflammation can trigger seizures, convulsions, poor behavior, and
even blindness. Survivors often develop a jerky motion in their muscles that lasts
for life. Early symptoms of the disease include fever, fatigue, vomiting,
and discharge from the eyes and nose.
- Kennel Cough:
The symptoms for this virus should be fairly obvious. The
respiratory infection is due to the fact that bacteria destroy the small
hairs that line the upper respiratory tract and filter out nasty germs and
other bacteria. Once those hairs are gone, the germs have the chance to take
up residence further down in the respiratory tract or even in the lungs
themselves. If the dogs don’t recover within a few days, other bacteria and
fungi move in and can cause even deeper complications. While not every cough
is necessarily a symptom of kennel cough, those accompanied with a deep
hacking sound run a good chance of being responsible.
 Rabies:
Anyone who has seen, read, or even heard of Stephen
King’s Cujo or Old Yeller knows about this killer virus and
its trademark mouth foam. There is no effective treatment for the virus,
which means that it is always fatal. Vaccinations are especially important
for rabies, and many governments mandate regular vaccination periods.
Transmitted by saliva, the most common means of infection is through bites,
typically from wild animals such as raccoons and possums. The virus attacks
the nervous system and has the potential to turn the most docile family pet
into a raging, irrational predator. The final stage of the virus is its
attack on the brain and subsequent infection. Because a lesser-known version
of the virus causes paralysis and lethargy without the accompanying rage,
it’s important to be aware of any changes in your pup’s personality and get
her to the vet for diagnosis before she transmits to other animals. If your
dog is up to date on her rabies vaccines but is bitten by an animal you feel
may carry the virus, wash the wound with soap and water (wear gloves!) and
take her to the vet for a booster. Watch her closely for the next month or
two and let your veterinarian know of any personality changes or drops in
energy.  Tetanus:
This infection is common in nearly all warm-blooded
animals and is most commonly contracted through the presence of soil in a
deep wound. If the infection goes unnoticed and untreated, it can cause
spasms, lockjaw, and even death. The easiest way to prevent the infection is
to routinely inspect your pup for cuts, scrapes, and wounds. This is
especially important after an outdoor playtime or hike when you may have
been unable to monitor exactly what she was doing at all times. If you
notice any particularly deep cuts, have your vet check her out. - Lyme Disease:
Again, this condition is common in both humans and dogs, and symptoms mirror
one another between species. Carried by ticks, it is most common in heavily
wooded areas in which ticks have access to a number of different animal
hosts. Lyme disease doesn’t originate with the tick itself. The initial host
is usually a rodent or other small animal that frequents areas with high
amounts of bacteria (garbage dumps and sewers are great breeding grounds).
After the tick bites the rodent, it moves on to a bigger host and transmits
the Lyme bacteria from the mouse through its saliva. Main symptoms of Lyme
disease are lameness, lethargy, weight loss, and fever. To prevent the
disease, be certain your pooch is on a regular tick preventative, but also
make sure you run your hands through her coat and inspect her thoroughly
after outdoor walks. If you’ve been in a more heavily forested area,
continue checking her on a daily basis for up to a week after the outdoor
playtime. And, as a measure of self-preservation, check your own body at the
same time.
Treatment for most viruses and
infections is focused around antibiotics. Whether administered via liquid, pill,
or shot, all have been tested extensively as the antibodies to particular
viruses. Some treatments will require extra care from you in the form of
increased water intake, ice on a wound, or trying to keep your pup from licking
an infected area. Many viruses and infections are now treatable and non-fatal,
it’s just a matter of knowing your dog and being aware of the things she
encounters on a day-to-day basis. |
