Common Diseases & Symptoms in Dogs: A Quick Guide

When dog owners notice their pets exhibiting symptoms, it's often an indication that their furry friend is unwell. Veterinarians diagnose the specific area and nature of the illness based on these symptoms, along with clinical examinations and laboratory tests. Ultimately, they pinpoint the underlying cause. This section, drawing from extensive clinical experience, analyzes the common symptoms and their primary causes during a dog's illness journey. This information is provided to help dog owners understand the signs of illness and seek timely, appropriate medical care for their pets.

The normal body temperature for dogs ranges from 38.3 to 39 degrees Celsius. After eating, exercise, or in a room with high temperatures, their body temperature may temporarily rise. It's typical for dogs to have lower temperatures in the morning and higher ones in the afternoon. A temperature exceeding 39 degrees Celsius indicates that the dog is febrile. In clinical settings, the most common scenarios are sudden high fevers reaching 40 degrees and persistent lowgrade fevers, with temperatures staying between 39 and 40 degrees Celsius for several days.

Several common causes of sudden high fevers in dogs include:

Canine Distemper: Dogs may appear normal, only showing a slight lack of energy and decreased appetite.

Canine Parvovirus: Dogs may suddenly become listless, lose their appetite, vomit, and have abdominal pain with bloody diarrhea.

Canine Hepatitis: Dogs may exhibit lethargy, loss of appetite, a high fever up to 41 degrees Celsius, and enlarged tonsils.

Cold: With a sudden drop in temperature, dogs may have clear nasal discharge and a white tongue.

Heatstroke: Dogs are prone to heatstroke when exposed to direct sunlight, exercising in high temperatures and humidity.

Acute Poisoning: This can occur due to food, drug, or endotoxin poisoning, leading to vomiting and diarrhea.

Pneumonia: This may result from aspiration or bacterial/viral infections, accompanied by coughing, difficulty breathing, and lung crackles.

Sepsis: Dogs may show extreme depression, a long course of illness, a history of infection, chills, irregular breathing, and pronounced systemic toxicity symptoms.

Common causes of persistent lowgrade fevers in dogs include:

Canine Distemper: After the acute phase, chronic symptoms may include vomiting, diarrhea, and purulent nasal discharge.

Canine Hepatitis: In chronic form, dogs may exhibit jaundice, bleeding, and facial swelling.

External Otitis: This is often caused by severe otitis externa infections, which can lead to abscesses.

Chronic Bronchitis and Bronchitis: Dogs may be prone to these conditions due to lungworms or other infectious agents.

Chronic Nephritis: Longstanding pathogens can lead to renal pain and changes in urine color and consistency.

Chronic Pneumonia: This can cause difficulty breathing, coughing, lung crackles, and fibrosis on chest Xrays.

Hyperparathyroidism: Dogs may limp as a symptom.