Types of Dog Diseases

Dogs can get sick for many reasons. They can get sick from viruses, fungus and bacteria. Sometimes, if left untreated, a dog can die from disease. Rabies, parvovirus, Lyme disease and kennel cough are bacterial diseases that are fatal if left untreated and can be passed on to humans. Many diseases can also spread to other dogs. Keep your dog healthy and take it to a veterinarian for vaccinations on a regular basis.

  1. Rabies

    • Rabies is fatal and can cause death in three to seven days. Rabies is contracted when someone or something is bitten by an affected animal. Rabies attacks the nervous system and causes encephalitis. Rabies can also spread in saliva. Signs of disease are aggression, irritability and vicious attacks on humans. To prevent your dog from getting rabies, it should be vaccinated once a year.

    Parvovirus

    • Parvovirus is fatal within the first 48 to 72 hours. This disease attacks the intestinal tract, white blood cells and heart. It spreads though contact with feces and can be carried on shoes, equipment or hair and feet on dogs. Symptoms are vomiting, diarrhea and loss of appetite. There is no treatment to kill parvovirus, but according to Dog Owners Guide, an owner can effectively care for the dog by providing intravenous fluids, which replace the dog's fluids lost from vomiting and diarrhea. To prevent this disease, a dog can get a vaccination that lasts up to seven years.

    Kennel Cough

    • Kennel cough is a respiratory disease in dogs. Symptoms are dry cough that send inflammation to the larynx, bronchial tubes and trachea. This is usually contracted in shelters and kennels where dogs get stressed. Vaccination for this is once a year if your dog is going to be boarded with other dogs.

    Lyme Disease

    • Lyme disease comes from ticks. Symptoms of Lyme disease are joint pain, loss of appetite, lymph node enlargement and fever. It can be treated with antibiotics. A vaccine is available but not widely recommended because protection is limited to six months and the disease often resolves itself without treatment.

    Coronavirus

    • Coronavirus is often confused with parvovirus. It causes diarrhea and vomiting. Symptoms are loss of appetite, smelly diarrhea and dehydration. Intravenous fluids can replace lost fluids from vomit and diarrhea. Although any dog can contract this disease, "many schools of veterinary medicine do not recommend the coronavirus vaccine" because it is not a widespread disease, according to the Vet Info website.

    Hepatitis

    • Hepatitis can strike quickly, causing death in 24 hours. It is inhaled or ingested by a dog. It enters the bloodstream and targets the liver, kidneys and eyes. There is no cure for this disease, only treatment. Some dogs can recover from symptoms in a week and others develop internal bleeding. Dogs can be vaccinated for this disease, which will protect them for up to seven years.

    Distemper

    • Distemper is fatal to 80 percent of dogs in which it comes in contact. It is highly contagious. It is contracted though the air, direct contact with feces and urine, by contact in kennels, or with bedding or toys that have come in contact with the disease. It attacks the nervous system and can cause partial or complete paralysis and seizures. Vaccinations can prevent this disease for a year or more in older dogs.