Common Preventable Diseases in Dogs

Unfortunately, dogs are vulnerable to a wide range of diseases. Some of them are fought with vaccinations and medicine while others require environmental changes. We see many common diseases and illnesses in dogs that are preventable, so the Kirrawee Veterinary Hospital team is here to give valuable advice.

 Deworming and Vaccinations Save Lives

If you aren’t sure about the benefits of vaccinations and worming medicine for your pet, we’re here to tell you how vitally important these treatments are. When dogs aren’t vaccinated, they are left vulnerable to a host of painful, fatal and highly contagious diseases.

With vaccinations and deworming, you can protect your dogand deworming, you can protect your dog against:

• Rabies
• Canine parvovirus
• Canine distemper
• Leptospirosis
• Canine adenovirus-2
• Canine parainfluenza
• Canine enteric coronavirus
• Canine influenza
• Lyme disease
• Kennel cough (bordetellosis)
• Heartworm disease
• Intestinal worms

Preventable Lifestyle Issues

It matters how you feed, clean, exercise and check your dog. The following diseases are all completely preventable with the appropriate care and pet supplies, so read on to learn how you can protect your pup.

Dental Disease

A huge percentage of the dogs we treat for other ailments also show signs of gum disease (gingivitis). Dental problems can be extremely dangerous if left untreated because the infection can lead to heart failure and kidney failure. To prevent dental disease in your dog:

• Feed them a balanced diet with dental-approved hard food that can assist with the removal and prevention of plaque and tartar
• Invest in rubber chew toys that clean and strengthen the teeth
• Incorporate teeth brushing into your grooming routine
• Visit your vet for regular oral examinations

Ear Infections

Ear infections are extremely common in dogs, bringing many sick pets to the vet every year. This is unfortunate because of how easy they are to avoid. When wax, moisture and debris collect around the outer ear canal, it can lead to serious and painful infections.

There is a simple solution to this problem: check your dog’s ears every day and clean them when there is a build-up of wax. Find an ear cleaning solution and wipe the wax and dirt away with a soaked cotton ball. Also, ensure your dog’s ears are completely dry after a bath.

Obesity

Obesity is its own disease that makes a negative impact on a dog’s quality of life, and it is also the cause of many other diseases. An obese dog is prone to arthritis, diabetes, hypertension, hypothyroidism and kidney disease. The simplest way to avoid canine weight gain is by sticking with consistent exercise and a monitored, measured diet.

Bring Your Dog to Kirrawee Veterinary Hospital

If your dog requires treatment for any of the above illnesses, or if you’d simply like a check-up, bring your pup to Kirrawee Veterinary Hospital. Our experienced team will ensure your dog stays healthy for the long term. You can call us on (02) 9521 6422 or contact us online to book an appointment.