Keep Your Pet Safe From Sickness!

I've been sick with a cold for almost two weeks now, so I have decided to devote this post to common dog and cat illness and what can be done about them.  
 

Too cute to die.

The four most likely causes for pet health issues are bacterial, viral, parasitic and blood.  Because animals do not get the same health insurance some of us are lucky enough to have, we don't take them to the vet quite as often as we maybe should.  I know I don't; however, there are some illnesses that should necessitate an immediate visit to the pet doctor.

1. Distemper - This is a virus that occurs in both dogs and cats.  The symptoms include fever, watery eyes, diarrhea, loss of appetite and difficulty in breathing.  It is a highly contagious disease that is often fatal.  If it progresses, damage to the brain and central nervous system can occur.  It's a lot like the measles.  There is no cure for distemper, but the vaccine is included in nearly every booster series your puppy would receive.
2. Mange - This skin disease comes in two forms:  demodectic and sarcoptic.  Symptoms include loss of hair and excessive scratching.  The first is caused by something called a demodex mite and is not contagious.  It is also hereditary (which increases chance of a mange relapse).  It is very common and very treatable.  Though the treatment is available through a prescription, you can also use Ivermectin (a large animal product that you can use in lower dosages from household pets) in conjunction with an oatmeal shampoo to fix the problem.  Sarcoptic mange is similar to demodectic except that it is highly contagious and not hereditary.  The treatment is the same, though.  Because both are caused by mites, your vet could easily tell you which type of mange your four-legged friend has been exposed too.
3. Bordetella - Also known as "kennel cough", this is a viral infection that is very common in dogs that have visited kennels for extended periods of time.  It's a lot like bronchitis, and the common symptoms include a hacking cough and lethargy.  There are more serious variations of this infection (much like our own cold or flu) but it's very treatable with antibiotics.  There is also a handy vaccination for it.

These are more common issues that I have personally had to deal with in my pet-owning career.  Visit this website to learn more about common pet diseases, symptoms and treatments. 


About Vaccinations
I believe you should absolutely vaccinate your pet for any and all diseases that are available.  Even if they are no longer a puppy, but still a new member of the family, a series of booster shots is essential.  If the price of a vet visit is too expensive for you, I would strongly suggest that you visit All Pet Supplies where they can sell you the same vaccines that your vet can administer.  Because these shots only to puncture the nape of the neck, they are extremely simple to "do-it-yourself".  Plus, they are only about six or seven dollars each compared to a vet's administering fees.  



You'll save some serious money this way.  Don't forget, though, that visiting your vet is still something all pet owners should do from time to time in order to keep a happy, healthy animal going strong for many years.  Hope this helps!