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Dogs are prone to a handful of illnesses and it is important for owners to know what causes them and what the symptoms are, says veterinarian Dr Paul Essey, of Hong Kong Vet Services www.hongkongvet.com Knowledge of these illnesses and their symptoms can help a dog owner to determine what action needs to be taken and what treatment is in order, the vet says.
Here are some illnesses to watch for:
Distemper
Distemper is a highly contagious disease caused by a virus that affects and causes serious damage to the respiratory, gastrointestinal and nervous systems. Young puppies and dogs that are not vaccinated against the virus are most at risk.
The distemper virus can be passed on through a variety of ways, including sharing food and water bowls, coughing and sneezing. Common symptoms include watery to sticky eye discharge, watery to thick nasal discharge, coughing, vomiting, diarrhoea, loss of appetite, depression and fever. Owners should seek help from their veterinarian immediately. "The virus may affect the neurological system and cause seizures, coma or even death," Essey says.
Kennel cough
Kennel cough is another contagious disease and is caused by bacteria and/or viruses that cause upper respiratory infectious disease in dogs. Kennel cough is also called canine infectious respiratory disease, or canine tracheobronchitis. A dog can develop kennel cough if it has come into contact with the canine parainfluenza virus or bacteria such as bordetella bronchiseptica.
In most cases, dogs suffering from kennel cough will slowly recover in one to three weeks. However, dogs with a weaker immune system will take longer to recover. "Particularly vulnerable are dogs which are cooped up, such as in boarding kennels and pet shops," Essey says.
Clinical signs include dry hacking or honking cough, and gagging or retching.

Tick fever
This is a relatively common disease in dogs, Essey says. "The most common blood parasites which cause the disease are babesia canis, babesia gibsoni and ehrlichia canis." These parasites infect ticks, and if an infected tick bites a dog, it will transfer the parasites into the dog's bloodstream.
Common signs of tick fever include pale gums, brown to dark yellow urine, weakness or depression, vomiting, diarrhoea and fever. "In severe cases, because of the large number of red blood cells that are destroyed, a blood transfusion may be needed," the vet says.
To help prevent tick fever, the use of tick prevention products is highly recommended.
Kidney disease
Kidney disease or failure is a condition in which the kidneys suddenly or gradually fail to function. In chronic or long-term kidney failure, dogs may show no symptoms for months to years, by which time the condition is usually irreversible.
However, there are some early warning signs. These include the dog being very thirsty and urinating frequently, bad breath, vomiting, loss of appetite, dehydration and weight loss.
"Although [the disease] is incurable and progressive, a dog can be kept comfortable with specific treatment and dietary changes supervised by your vet," Essey says.
Acute renal failure, on the other hand, occurs quickly, usually from an accidental ingestion of a toxin, or from illnesses that affect the kidney. Symptoms include straining or not being able to urinate, lack of co-ordination, vomiting, not eating, seizures and bad breath.
Congestive heart failure
Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a serious problem that affects a large number of dogs, Essey says. The main causes include degenerative changes in the heart valves, heart muscle and blood vessels. "It is important to clarify that heart disease is not equal to heart failure. Heart disease is the underlying physical problem, which means certain parts of the heart are not functioning properly, and heart failure is the end result, which occurs when the heart as a unit cannot pump blood effectively," the vet explains.
"Congestive heart failure rarely causes the heart to lose its function suddenly. It usually develops slowly and gradually, with the heart condition worsening over time."
CHF can affect many parts of a dog's body. As the heart cannot pump blood effectively, blood may back up in the heart, which causes blood pressure to build up and, as a result, fluid leaks out from the blood vessels to the lungs, liver, chest and abdomen.
In general, symptoms include reduced appetite, weight loss, depression, cyanotic gum colour, night coughing, watery nasal discharge, breathing problems, exercise intolerance and abdominal enlargement.
For editorial inquiries: specialistpublications@scmp.com


Look out for early symptoms of illnesses among dogs

If your dog seems depressed or tired all the time, it could be showing symptoms of an underlying illness. Photos: Thinkstock

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Look out for early symptoms of illnesses among dogs

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