There are various conditions that all dog keepers should be aware of, since the life expectancy of our animals will depend, to a large extent, on the speed with which we diagnose the disease and start treatment. Therefore, in this article on our site we are going to show you what the are the five deadliest diseases in dogs and their symptoms
In this list we include disorders that appear with relative frequency in clinical practice and that can be life-threatening. We leave aside other diseases with high mortality but low frequency. If you live with a dog, this article is for you.
1. Parvovirus
Parvovirus is a highly contagious viral disease with an acute onset, hence its inclusion in this ranking of the five deadliest diseases in dogs. The virus that causes it has a special affinity with cells that are in continuous reproduction, such as those of the muscosa of the digestive system, which it attacks, producing a clinical picture that includes the following symptoms:
- Vomiting.
- Fever, although not in all cases.
- Anorexia, that is, the dog stops eating.
- Profuse diarrhea that may present mucus and/or blood.
- Dehydration.
- Depression.
- Abdominal pain.
Contagion is caused by contact with contaminated faeces. The sick dog can shed the virus for weeks and the virus is only inactivated by bleach. In addition, the virus can be carried on feet, hair, shoes, etc. Although it affects dogs of all ages, it is most common in puppies 6 to 12 weeks old.
Parvovirus is diagnosed in the veterinary clinic using a rapid detection test, although false negatives may occur. Treatment involves hospitalization to give the dog IV fluids and medications to replenish fluid and electrolyte losses, as well as to control vomiting and diarrhea. Broad-spectrum antibiotics are also added to treat secondary bacterial infections that will take advantage of the dog's weakness. As we can see, they are support measures because there is no specific treatment against parvovirus.
Survival will depend on the virulence of the strain, the age and immune status of the dog or the speed with which Veterinary treatment is started. If we have had a dog with parvovirus we must disinfect the house and utensils with bleach. As prevention, it is important to vaccinate puppies and, while they do not complete the vaccination schedule, we must avoid contact with dogs whose immune status is unknown.
two. Distemper
Canine distemper is another dreaded canine disease highly contagious and caused by a virus It can affect any dog, which is why it is Immunization is important, since there is a vaccine for this disease. It is spread by inhalation and is most common in puppies between 6 and 12 weeks. The virus attacks brain cells, skin, conjunctiva and mucous membranes of the respiratory tract and gastrointestinal tract. For this reason, the symptoms can be very diverse. Some of the clinical signs are:
- Fever.
- Anorexia, the dog stops eating.
- Apathy.
- Watery discharge from the eyes and nosethat becomes thick, sticky and yellowish in a few days.
- Dry cough.
- Vomiting and diarrhea that can cause dehydration.
- Encephalitis that occurs with hypersalivation (the dog drools), head shaking, chewing movements orepileptic-like seizures The so-called "distemper myoclonus" is characteristic, which is a disorder consisting of the appearance of rhythmic contractionsof muscle groups in any part of the body, although the most common is that they affect the head. It begins to appear during rest or sleep but ends up occurring both during the day and at night. Causes pain
- Another strain of the virus can cause hardening of the nose and callus formation on the pads.
The treatment of distemper, given its seriousness, hence its inclusion in this list of the five deadliest diseases in dogs, will require hospitalization. Like parvovirus, there is no treatment other than support, through antibiotics to prevent opportunistic bacterial infections, intravenous fluid therapy against dehydration, and medication to control diarrhea, vomiting, or seizures. It is essential to go to the vet to start treatment immediately.
Survival will depend on factors such as the virulence of the strain, age and vaccination status.
3. Stomach torsion or dilation
Torsion or dilation is a veterinary emergency that can end the life of our dog. The high mortality it presents makes us include it in this list of the five deadliest diseases in dogs. As in parvovirus and distemper, it is really important to establish treatment immediately, since it is one of the factors that will contribute to increasing the chances of survival.
In this disorder the stomach is distended by the presence of gas and liquid and rotates on its longitudinal axis. This situation, in which the stomach is practically sealed, prevents the escape of air and accumulated fluid and also interferes with blood circulation. Although this disorder can occur in any dog, large breeds are more prone to it.
Symptoms to watch out for include:
- Restlessness and agitation, the dog moves restlessly.
- Salivation.
- Nausea, with unsuccessful attempts to vomit.
- Abdominal distension.
- In the most serious situations, the dog may have pale gums, rapid breathing, weakness or rapid heartbeat.
Your vet will be able to confirm the diagnosis with an x-ray. In cases of torsion, surgery is indicated, but the dog must first be stabilized with fluids and intravenous medication. To prevent this ailment we can divide the dog's food into several portions a day, prevent him from drinking or eating large quantities at once and avoid exercising on a full stomach.
Survival will depend on how quickly we go to the vet.
4. Hemolytic anemia
To understand what anemia is in dogs, specifically hemolytic anemia, we must know the process of hemolysis, the breaking of blood cells red cells that break down to form bile and hemoglobin. These substances accumulated in the body are the cause of jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and mucous membranes) and hemoglobinuria (orange-brown urine).
The dog will be weak, pale and may have an enlarged spleen, liver and lymph nodes. Various diseases can cause this anemia, such as lupus, leishmania, leptospirosis, erlichia or babesia. It produces a high mortality, hence the inclusion in this list of the five deadliest diseases in dogs.
We will take babesiosis as an example of this whole group of disorders. Babesiosis is a disease caused by a protozoan that destroys red blood cells causing hemolytic anemia. Babesia reaches the dog through the bite of an infected tick, hence the importance of keeping our dog dewormed throughout the year. It can also be contracted directly, without the presence of ticks. The symptoms that are triggered are the following:
- Fever.
- Yellow eyes and mucous membranes, due to jaundice, due to increased bilirubin.
- Orange colored urine as a result of red blood cell rupture.
- Vomiting.
- Hemolytic anemia will be detected in the blood test.
It is possible to observe the parasite under a microscope. Treatment should be started immediately and involves eliminating the parasite and controlling anemia. In the most serious cases, blood transfusions may be necessary.
Survival will depend on the immune status of the dog, the detection of symptoms and the speed with which we go to the veterinary.
5. Cancer
Cancer is an abnormal cell overgrowth that eventually invades surrounding tissue and continues to grow in an uncontrolled manner. When cancer cells move from a first location to another part of the body we are facing a metastasis If an organ is invaded, these malignant cells will not be able to comply with the function that normal cells had been performing.
The life expectancy of a dog with cancer will depend on multiple factors, such as the virulence of the cancer, the age of the dog or the organ that is affected. It is essential to establish a diagnosis and, therefore, early treatment. Removal of the tumor and surrounding tissue is recommended whenever possible. Most cancers in dogs are going to be detected through a simple physical examination, that is why it is so important to schedule check-ups every 12 or 6 months in our reference veterinary clinic, as well as go to a consultation if we detect anylump, swollen limb, or abnormality in our partner.
Cancer that affects internal organs such as the spleen or liver may take time to present symptoms and this will be nonspecific with signs such as weight loss, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation. The cancer affects more middle-aged and geriatric dogs. As our dogs are living longer because they enjoy a better quality of life, it is likely that the incidence of cancer will increase in them. For this reason and due to the high mortality of some types of cancer, we include this condition in the list of the five deadliest diseases in dogs, especially in the older ages[1] [2]
