Common Dog Diseases & Their Treatments

Our loyal furry friends are there for us through thick and thin, through good health and bad. That’s why it can be quite distressing when they themselves fall prey to ill health – especially when it happens well before their time.

Keeping in mind the average life expectancy of a healthy dog ranges between 6-12 years depending on breed, The Pets Hotel team have put together this handy overview of common dog diseases and practical advice on how they can be treated. Whilst we are avid animal lovers, we’re not experts in canine health!

So, if your dog is unwell, your first port of call should be a fully-qualified vet who has both the knowledge and equipment to make a professional diagnosis. On that note, the RSPCA is an excellent place to start, as is the AVA (Australian Veterinary Association) directory.

Canine arthritis

An especially common condition amongst older dogs, canine arthritis (also known as osteoarthritis) will affect up to 1 in 5 Aussie dogs during their lifetime. Just like the human version, canine arthritis is caused by wear and tear of the joints, which leads to inflammation and pain. Thankfully it can be treated with anti-arthritic medication, gentle exercise, weight loss and even surgery in severe cases.

Symptoms

• Limping
• Reluctance to move

Treatment

• Anti-arthritic medication
• Gentle exercise
• Weight loss
• Surgery

Canine cancer

Unfortunately, dogs can also get cancer, just like their human parents - due to complex environmental and hereditary causes. Canine cancer tends to become more obvious in older dogs (as with the other conditions covered here) and ranges from breast cancer, lymphomas, melanomas and even prostate cancer to name a few variants. Treatments generally include chemotherapy and radiation treatment. As with humans, catching canine cancer early is key to maximising the chances of a successful recovery for your furry friend.

Symptoms

• Abnormal discharge
• Listlessness/lethargy
• Lumps
• Persistent sores
• Rapid weight loss

Treatment

• Chemotherapy
• Radiation treatment

Canine cataracts

Canine cataracts are malignant growth on the surface of a dog’s eyes, which can obscure their vision and if left untreated, lead to blindness. More common in older dogs, this condition can also affect their much younger counterparts, including in some cases puppies. Thankfully they can be easily removed under general anesthesia by a veterinary surgeon.

Symptoms

• Clouded vision/bumping into things
• Inflammation of the eyes
• Rubbing or scratching of the eyes
• Watery eyes

Treatment

• Cataract removal surgery

Canine cough

Sometimes referred to incorrectly as “kennel cough”, canine cough is an irritating condition caused by airborne viruses that affects a dog’s upper respiratory system. It’s also highly contagious and therefore should be treated sooner rather than later by a qualified vet. However, just like the common cold in humans, canine cough isn’t “cured”, instead powerful antibiotics and cough suppressants can make your furry friend comfortable once again. On a broader note – ensuring your dog receives the parainfluenza and adenovirus type 2 vaccine as part of their annual check up is a solid way to deal with this and other viral-based conditions.

Symptoms

• Gagging cough
• Nasal discharge
• Sneezing

Treatment

• Antibiotic
• Cough suppressant medication
• Vaccination (Parainfluenza and adenovirus type 2)

Canine diabetes

Dogs can also develop diabetes, which like the human version is caused by a lack of the hormone insulin or an inadequate response to insulin. The result of canine diabetes, if left untreated is hyperglycemia which can lead to more complicated health problems and in the worst cases, premature death. On the upside, the treatment for canine diabetes is quite straightforward – dietary changes and daily insulin injections immediately after eating (your vet can teach you techniques for making these injections relatively painless).

Symptoms

• Dehydration
• Listlessness/lethargy
• Skin irritation
• Weight loss
• Vomiting

Treatment

• Daily insulin injections

Canine influenza

Also known as “canine flu” or “dog flu”, canine influenza is a relatively new viral disease in dogs that affects their respiratory system. Symptoms include coughing, sneezing and general fever, whilst treatments include anti-viral medications, ample hydration and rest. A canine flu vaccine is now available; however, this isn’t suitable for all breeds – something your vet can give you proper advice on.

Symptoms

• Coughing
• Fever
• Sneezing

Treatment

• Anti-viral medication
• Hydration
• Rest

Keen to find out more about The Pets Hotel and our friendly team of professional animal lovers? Contact us at The Pets Hotel (Port Melbourne) on (03) 9646 3696 or The Pets Hotel Country Club (Lara) on (03) 5282 1286. 

Keeping Your Furry Friend Cool in Summer (& Autumn)

Summer’s in full swing across Australia and at the time of writing (mid-February), Victoria is experiencing its most consistent stretch of warm weather this season. Whilst many of us love the long days and sunny skies, it’s easy to forget how much harder it is for our pets to stay cool in the summer heat. Heatstroke is a real health danger, especially for certain breeds of dog with squished faces – such as Pugs, English and French Bulldogs etc. Cats are also liable to get hot and bothered too. With that in mind, The Pets Hotel team have put together some top tips for keeping your furry friend cool this Summer and Autumn – given the warm weather tends to stick around until after Easter these days. So grab yourself a refreshing glass of water and enjoy reading : )

• Water is king, keep a full bowl nearby at all times! - Keeping your pet cool in warm weather begins with water – the most essential element to human and animal life. Dogs in particular need plenty to drink on hot days, given they can’t sweat the way we do – with panting being their only mechanism for cooling down. By keeping a full bowl of fresh water within easy reach and ideally under shade, your pet(s) will stay hydrated throughout the day. It’s also worth keeping a second or third bowl nearby – just in case!

• Ensure adequate shade during the day - Just like us, our furry friends need shelter from the harsh Aussie sun throughout the day. Plants and trees can provide great natural shade (the bigger their shadow the better) as can tall fences – although keep in mind the sun will move across your yard from morning to dusk. On really warm days (30C and above) its best to keep your cat or dog inside, especially if you have air con!

• Time walks for sunset & sunrise - Exercise is essential for our canine mates in all conditions. However, on those warm summer days, those concrete footpaths can burn their fragile paws whilst the intense heat from a glaring sun can quickly leave them dehydrated. That’s why those daily walks should be timed for the evening or early morning when temperatures tend to be much milder. Also be sure to carry a water bottle with you and try to walk on grass to protect those cute little paws.

• Never leave your pet alone in your car on a hot day - You wouldn’t wantonly leave a kid in the car on a hot day and the same rule applies for your pets! Whilst it might be a pleasant sunny 25C outside, it could easily reach a dangerous 45C inside the tight confines of your vehicle. If you do see a cat or dog in distress in a locked car on a hot day, call emergency services promptly on 000 (police or fire may need to break open the doors) and follow up by lodging a report with the RSPCA’s Animal Cruelty Hotline on 1300 852 188.

• Don’t forget to slip, slop, slap! - Believe it or not, our furry friends can also get sunburnt - especially cats and dogs with thin, smooth hair (the non-furry type) and light coloured ears or noses. So in addition to providing adequate shade on those bright, sunny days and timing walks for dusk and dawn, you should also consider buying sunscreen for dogs from your local pet goods retailer or the RSCPA’s World for Pets online store.

• Consider Doggy Daycare or Cat Suites - Last but not least, there’s always the option of leaving your furry friend in the hands of our fun-filled, climate controlled Doggy Daycare or Cat Suites at our two addresses in Port Melbourne and Lara. Staffed by professional pet lovers, our Pets Hotel team will keep them cool, calm and comfortable on the hottest of days while you go about your regular routine, safe in the knowledge they’re receiving the very best of care : )

Interested in our Doggy Daycare, Cat Suites and other services for your VIP (Very Important Pet) at our air-conditioned addresses? Contact the friendly team at The Pets Hotel (Port Melbourne) on (03) 9646 3696 or The Pets Hotel Country Club (Lara) on (03) 5282 1286.