San Antonio Veterinarian Clinic

Common Dog Ailments

A healthy dog is a happy dog. However, sometimes, getting sick is unavoidable. Even if it is something that can be avoided, making sure that your dog gets better should be a pet owner's top priority. A San Antonio veterinarian clinic is experienced in many of the common ailments that dogs can experience.

When one thinks of dog ailments, they often think of rabies. This disease can be avoided by vaccinating against rabies. However, if you fall behind on the vaccinations, a dog can catch the disease by being bitten by an infected animal. Since dogs spend a significant amount of time outside, their risks of acquiring the disease is higher. A San Antonio veterinarian clinic can help by keeping your dog up to date on rabies vaccines.

Heart worms are another common ailment that some dogs suffer from. A San Antonio veterinarian clinic can test your dog for this parasite. As long as your dog is not suffering from heart worms, a special pill once a month will help to protect your dog. It is important to treat and get rid of any existing heart worms before taking the pills.

Distemper is another dog ailment that can easily be prevented. This disease is contracted through contact with the feces of an infected dog. Unlike many dog ailments, distemper has no cure. Once your dog has caught this disease, his rate of survival will drop. Common symptoms of this disease include diarrhea, chest congestion and coughing.

Parvovirus is another of the lesser known, yet common ailments in dogs. This disease is also usually vaccinated against when a dog is young. However, if a dog contracts this disease, death will usually quickly follow. Parvovirus is a parasite that attacks the dog's intestines leaving him to essentially starve to death. Making sure your San Antonio veterinarian clinic vaccinates against this disease is important.

It is every pet owner's responsibility to make sure that their dog is health and stays that way. Routine vaccinations and regular visits to a San Antonio veterinarian clinic can be crucial to making sure your dog lives a long, healthy life.