Dog diseases that cause death (Deadly top 10)

There are many diseases that can cause death in the Dog. Some cause mild symptoms while others can become life-threatening. If you are wondering which diseases might kill your loving buddy, here is a list of 10 serious dog diseases that cause Death.

Some of the diseases are non-treatable (but preventable) while others are treatable with proper veterinary care. This blog also contains prevention tips and a general treatment approach.

Canine parvovirus

This is one of the most infectious diseases in dogs. It is caused by a virus, which is difficult to kill once it invades the dog’s internal organs. 

The diseases spread from the fecal matter of infected dogs. pups are even more susceptible than adults.

Symptoms: 

fever, lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, weight loss

General treatment 

General treatment is given by providing plenty of fluids, electrolytes, and medicines to prevent secondary infection, but it’s often fatal. 

The best way to prevent canine parvovirus is to vaccinate your pup and keep your dog away from the infected feces. 

Canine distemper (Hard pad diseases)

It is an extremely contagious viral disease. This disease is also called hardpad disease because it hardens dog’s noses and footpads. Transmission is airborne as well as a fomite (spread from materials like food bowls)

It predominantly affects the puppies and dogs that are especially prone to airborne viruses.

Symptoms

coughing, vomiting, paralysis, runny eyes, and fever.

General treatment

The CD is often fatal. If you think your dog has CD, take him to the vet. Supportive treatment and fluid therapy are usually practiced. mortality can be 50% or greater in dogs infected at <1 year of age.

The best way to prevent your dog from getting Canine Distemper is by vaccination and keeping the dog away from sick pups.

Rabies

The deadly disease of dogs, with a mortality rate of approx 100%. Rabies is caused by the rabies virus transmitted by bite or saliva from an infected animal responsible for the transmission of diseases. 

Worried about your dog? 

Well! you can prevent this disease in the first place by proper vaccination. 

Symptoms: 

fever, pain, tingling or burning at the wound, hyperactivity

General treatment

Sadly! There is no treatment for this disease. Once the symptoms appear the death becomes unavoidable. 

The best way to prevent rabies is to get your dog vaccinated and keep him away from rabid wildlife.

Lyme diseases

This is a bacterial disease, which is transmitted by ticks. The bacteria invade the dog’s body through tick-bite and quickly spread to the joints. This is the reason why dogs limp in this condition. 

If untreated this disease can become deadly for your dog. As the ticks problem in dogs increases during the summer season, the death from Lyme diseases also increases.

Symptoms:

Pain, loss of appetite, fever, limping

General treatment

As this is a bacterial disease, the general treatment includes the use of antibiotics. Vaccination and checking for tics are other prevention measures to consider.

Note: try to keep your dog away from long grasses as ticks cling to the dog’s body through them.

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Heartworm

Do you think your dog virtually keeps someone in his heart? 

In an actual scenario that someone can be a Heartworm, and it is damaging your buddy’s heart. 

Heartworms are spread through mosquito bites. These parasites destroy the heart lungs and blood vessels.

Symptoms:

Heart disease, weight loss, lethargy, coughing, respiratory problems

General treatment

Mosquitoes are everywhere. You can’t do anything about it, but you can take preventative measures with annual blood tests and regular pills, topicals, or shots for your dog. 

Treatment is done by a vet, including a rigorous regimen of steroids, antibiotics, and an organic arsenic injection. Keep in mind that this disease can cause death in your dogs.

Leptospirosis

This is a bacterial disease, caused by leptospira bacteria. The bacteria is commonly found in natural conditions like natural water like streams, lakes, or rivers. 

Dogs can develop leptospirosis if their mucous membrane come in contact with infected urine, water, food, or bedding; through a bite from an infected animal 

Symptoms: 

fever, lethargy, dehydration, muscle tenderness, vomiting, jaundice

General treatment

Vets will provide antibiotics and supportive care. It will be easier to prevent if the dog has been vaccinated. 

Kidney diseases (major cause of death)

One out of 10 (i.e.- 10%) dogs is infected by kidney diseases. The disease seen in older dogs can not be cured or reversed therefore it became one of the deadly dog diseases. 

However, with proper care and treatment, the progression of the disease can be reduced. 

For more info see this video (Time duration = 2 min.)

The affected dog will not be able to control acid-base balance and therefore face many problems. Also elimination of toxic compounds and degraded proteins will slow down.

Symptoms: 

Symptoms: weight loss, increased urination, and thirst, loss of appetite, vomiting

General treatment: 

The vet will prescribe some kidney supportive medication, along with a kidney-friendly diet plan. 

Vets can measure levels of creatinine in the blood (find out why?) and SDMA tests can be administered so irregularities can be more easily identified. 

In many cases, these conditions can cause death in dogs eventually. The sooner these conditions are diagnosed, the better the chances to recover the patient.

Kennel cough

A highly contagious respiratory infection, which irritates the respiratory passages. It can later develop into pneumonia in some cases

It is called kennel (dog house) cough because it spreads through animals in close proximity. The shelters, dog parks, boarding kennels, and doggy daycares are the main origin points for this disease. It also spreads by direct contact with an infected animal, coughing, or sharing contaminated bowls or blankets.

Symptoms:

Heavy coughing, gagging, lethargy

General treatment:

The vet will prescribe antibiotics, cough suppressants, and plenty of rest. If your dog becomes listless or lethargic, take her back to the vet to make sure your dog doesn’t have pneumonia.

Note: If you are adopting a dog from a shelter home don’t forget to get him vaccinated. 

Cancer

This is a complex disease that is governed by many factors. Environmental, as well as genetic factors, play a crucial role in this disease. 

It is a leading cause of death in elder/senior dogs. Cancer is one of the most deadly dog diseases. Half of the cancer types in dogs can be treated if diagnosed early. 

Symptoms:

Vary depends on the location, it includes lumps on the skin, unusual odors, sores that won’t heal, weight loss, loss of appetite, and lethargy.

Treatment:

Treatment also depends on the severity and location. The three main available options are chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery. Sometimes a combination of all three is preferred for treatment.

Note: some cancer types can be cured if diagnosed in early phases. Healthy feeding and exercise also reduce the chances of cancer development.

Hepatitis 

Hepatitis is a viral disease that destroys the most vital organ” the liver”. It is caused by Virus  (Adenovirus), which is found in feces and saliva. This disease also affects the spleen, kidneys, lungs, liver, the lining of blood vessels, and sometimes other organs. failure of major organ system leads to the death therefore included in deadly top 10.

Symptoms:

 Fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and sudden death.

General Treatment:

There is no specific treatment. General treatment consists of aggressive fluid therapy. Reducing the damage to the liver is the main objective. It is often fatal but can be prevented through vaccination.

Summary 

There are many dog diseases that are deadly and can cause death. Some are curable if detected at early stages, while others are non-curable. 

So how will you protect the life of your buddy?

Well! The answer is so simple!

Vaccination, vaccination and you guessed it right “vaccination”. You just need to follow the proper vaccination schedule for your dog. It will be right to say that your ignorance killed your dog if your dog died from conditions that are easily preventable by vaccination.

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Role of a veterinarian

You should take your pet to the veterinarian regularly or as recommended by a vet. If a veterinarian can detect diseases like cancer in their early stages, he might be able to save him. 

Also, the vaccination schedule provided by your vet will save your buddy from the above-mentioned dog diseases that cause death.

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