Our pup’s health is so important and what better way to show our love than by providing them with a healthy, happy life? There are a number of often deadly, but preventable dog illnesses out there. This list will help us find out what to watch for and how to help our canine companions as quickly as possible.
Canine Parvovirus
I need my full round of vaccinations before I can play in public. That way I won't get that scary Parvo -thingy
Called “Parvo” for short, this virus is best avoided by making sure our fur-baby is properly vaccinated prior to exposure to public areas. It's not limited to puppies, but they are the most at risk and susceptible to Parvo. It's the biggest killer among deadly, but preventable dog illnesses. Puppies are commonly infected because well-meaning guardians want to take them out to play in parks or on lawn grass before their vaccination sequence is complete, and when their immune system is not yet completely developed. Symptoms:
- Fast weight loss
- Lethargy
- Regular vomiting
- Severe diarrhea
Stats & Cost Unfortunately, more than half of all dogs that contract Parvo and are given care, end up dying. The average cost of treating Parvo in the U.S., is $5,500 dollars. Even though it’s only treated with supportive care, Parvo requires a great deal of attention to keep the puppy as comfortable as possible and to track and treat symptoms, responsibly. Treatment: There is no treatment for Parvo. Once contracted, the only thing the vet can do it provide the best possible supportive care, which includes fluids, round-the-clock observation, and meds that will help the puppy heal and hopefully recover. The best way to treat this virus is to get vaccinations and avoid public areas while our puppy’s immune system is developing, until the vaccination sequence is completed.
Lyme Disease
Yikes! Get it off! I need EcoBug to keep me safe from ticks, fleas, and mosquitos!
A tick-borne illness caused by bacteria transmitted during a tick bite, Lyme Disease is one of the most common deadly, but preventable dog illnesses. There are many tick-borne illnesses, but this one is the most overlooked. If it isn’t caught early it can lead to kidney failure. The tricky thing about Lyme Disease is that symptoms will often decrease or seem to subside, even though the infection is still present and acting against our pup’s health. Symptoms:
- General pain or careful walking. The pain can seem to shift from one side to the other.
- Decreased appetite
- Depression
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Fever
Stats & Cost: Dogs do not get the common “bull’s-eye” rash associated with infected tick bites on humans. Lack of any clear identifying markers and symptoms that aren’t very clear make this disease very difficult to identify. The average cost of identifying and treating Lyme Disease in dogs is $2,500 in the U.S. Treatment: If it is diagnosed prior to complications, such as renal failure, treatment is 2-3 weeks of antibiotics. The best way to treat this diseases, however, is prevention. Infection occurs about 18 hours after a tick bite. That means carefully checking our canines after walks and every evening if we live in an area where ticks may be present in the backyard, will prevent infection, even if they’ve been bitten. Avoiding bites is also an important step in any prevention effort, which means applying a non-toxic, chemical-free repellent.
We recommend EcoBug as the safest and most effective bug and pest repellent on the market. 
Dental Disease
OK, I'll let you brush my teeth, but EcoEats seems a delicious way to avoid gum disease too!
That’s right. Dental disease is one of the most common illnesses a dog can contract. More accurately, heart and kidney failure can result from dental disease and end in death. We all laugh about bad dog breath and note how common it is for dogs, but stinky breath is the result of tartar and gum disease. Without regular care, gum disease can lead to other diseases. Symptoms:
- Bad breath
- Lack of appetite
- Chewing discomfort
- Lack of interest in favorite chew toys
- Pawing at their mouth
- Blood in their water bowl or on chew toys
- Irritability
Stats & Cost: Gum disease is preventable and is commonly overlooked. It's one of the most deadly, but preventable dog illnesses, but we rarely associate kidney or heart disease with gum problems. The average cost for treating gum disease is $800, but the cost of treating kidney disease or other complications of gum disease is much more costly. Treatment: Once gum disease is diagnosed, oral surgery will be the most likely result. However, proper care and grooming, including brushing our fur-baby’s teeth is the best preventative measure. And, one of the best ways to avoid build up is to provide our canine companions with a healthy diet. Commercial dog foods often contain fillers and additives that cause gum disease and other problems. 
We recommend EcoEats , and organic dog food which contains nutritious whole foods and is formulated to be delicious for dogs. Check back next week for more common deadly, but preventable diseases in dogs.
