The similarities between people and dogs are daunting. Health is vital to our lives, and is the same with our dogs. Being aware of the symptoms and causes of these diseases can save your beloved pets life. Most people are unaware of all the different strands of diseases that poor little "Fido" can get out there. For instance: rabies; canine distemper; canine parainfluenza; canine leptospirosis; parvo; bordetella; coronavirius; lyme disease; cancer; osteoarthritis, just to name a few.



Good training, time, and love can help prevent your canine from catching certain diseases. But there are many that are health and diet related. Noticing the early symptoms might be the only difference between "Fido" having a long, healthy and vigorous life, or sitting on the porch all day with no energy or life left in his eyes.

Dogs give so much loyalty and love to their masters. As sole guardian of these animals, knowledge of these diseases and symptoms are vital to ensure your canine is around for twelve or fourteen years.

RABIES

* Dilated pupils

* Drastic change in demeanor

* Constant growling or barking

* Foaming at the mouth

CANINE VIRAL HEPATITIS

* very high temperature (102-103)

* signs of distress or apathetic attitude

* complete loss of appetite

* intense thirst

* fiery redness of the mouth

* swelling

* minor injuries will in turn lead to profuse bleeding and bruising

CANINE DISTEMPER

* fever

* apathetic demeanor

* loss of all appetite and thirst

* discharges from eyes and nose

* vomiting and diarrhea

* muscular twitching

* posterior paralysis or convulsions

GENERAL SYMPOMS TO SPOT

* loss of appetite or ravenous appetite without weight gain

* frequent urination

* diarrhea or constipation

* vomiting

* discharge from eyes, nose, or mouth

* coughing or respiratory difficulty

* trouble urinating or abnormal urine

* shivering, or fever

* unexplained weight loss

* problems walking or moving around

* anything out of the ordinary from your dogs typical behavior

All of these diseases are deadly. If not treated, poor little "Fido" won't make it very long. He will never tell you he's sick, he will never complain of pain, but we owe it to our pets to be aware of certain symptoms to save little "Fido's" life