Germs and Viruses in Dogs
So now you know all about the little
creepy crawlies that can bother your baby, but what about the ones you can’t
really see? These can cause even more damage than the pests that are obvious to
the eye. Just as in humans, viruses and germs like streptococci and hepatitis
can cause severe pain, discomfort, and sometimes even death in your dog.
Fortunately, there are measures you can take to help prevent the invasion of
these nasty bugs. The first step, as always, is education.
What are some
of the germs and viruses that can cause damage to my dog’s health?
Do you have a few days? The list is
gigantic, but many of those are fairly rare. We’ll go through some of the most
common germs that can do her the most harm.
- Blastomyces:
If you live in an area filled with birds, you may want to
be careful about where your pooch plays. Try to keep her out of shady areas
beneath bird-packed trees, as the combination of the droppings and the lack
of germ-killing sunlight makes those spots a hotbed for germ activity. This
fungus can cause blastomycosis, which, in addition to twisting your
tongue in knots while saying its name, will give your pup a bad case of
bronchitis, pneumonia, or skin sores.
- Streptococci:
You may have run into this one yourself. While some
streptococci bacteria are a standard aspect of your dog’s skin, others can
weasel their way into the body and cause infection. If you notice sores on
your pup’s skin that are raised and whitish or look as though they may
contain pus, she may have a strep infection.
- Rhabdovirus:
Think you’ve never heard of this one? Think again. Look
at the first syllable – sound familiar? These guys are the virus that causes
rabies.
- Leptospira:
The perfect reason to keep your pooch from drinking from
outdoor puddles. This bacteria contaminates water, especially water located
near areas where livestock or rodents are located. It’s responsible for some
horrendous kidney problems, so keep your pup away from any water you can’t
be certain is safe.
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