PAWS ANIMAL WELFARE SOCIETY

A Comprehensive List of Ailments That Could Affect Dogs Spot, Prevent, and Manage

Disease	Symptoms	Typical Treatments
Asthma	Difficulty breathing Blue or purple tinge to tongue or gums Lethargy Loss of appetite	Theophylline andTerbutaline may be recommended for clearing up the airways. Anti-Inflammatory tabs such as Prednisolone are prescribed to reduce pain and inflammation.
Alopecia	Hair loss and bald patches In some cases, scaly, inflamed, or discolored skin. Some dogs will start scratching or chewing at the affected areas, and others become lethargic	Alopecia resulting from allergies can be treated with antihistamines for dogs. Vets may also recommend skin and coat medications and supplements to reduce hair loss.
Anemia	Pallor, or lack of pigmentation in the gums, tongue, and inside the ear Lethargy	Anemia is a condition, which means its treatment depends on what’s causing the condition. Anemia caused by ehrlichiosis would need specific medications such as doxycycline.
Arthritis	Limping Muscle loss Difficulty sitting Lethargy Less playful Grouchiness Unable to jump up	Anti-inflammatory medications such as carprofen may be recommended to reduce pain and inflammation. Joint supplements for dogs such as Joint Max Triple Strength that contains chondroitin, MSM, and Glucosamine may also be recommended.
Cancer	Lumps or bumps under the skin Changes in eating habits Increased urination and/or drinking Difficulty exercising Weight loss Depression Discharge and sores Difficulty urinating	Depending on the type and stage, radiation therapy and surgical interventions may be recommended. Certain types of cancer can also be managed medically with medications such as Chlorambucil.
Carnassial Tooth Abscess	Swelling Discharge below the eye Fever Loss of appetite Depression	Antibiotics are often recommended to control the infection.
Cataracts	Cloudy or cracked looking pupils Redness, swelling, or inflammation of the eye Impaired vision Dizziness Vomiting Pacing Restlessness Less movement	Apart from surgical removal of the cataract, vets may recommend eye supplements comprised of antioxidants, including Grape seed extract, Lutein and Omega-3 fatty acids (GLO) for dogs. Vets may also recommend other eye care medications such as anti-inflammatory eye drops.
Cherry Eye	Red, thick, irritated bump in the corner of the eye Rubbing or scratching the eye	While massage therapy may work, it should be recommended and done by a vet due to the high risk of trauma. Only in certain cases, surgery is recommended to treat the problem
Coccidia	Diarrhea mixed with mucus or blood Persistent diarrhea	Vets usually recommend Sulfadimethoxine medications such as Albon Liquid.
Congestive Heart Failure	Intolerance of exercise Excessive panting Coughing Heart murmur	Medications such as pimobendan is often recommended to improve life expectancy. Vets often prescribe diuretics such as Lasix (Furosemide) and spironolactone to remove fluid buildup. Vets May also recommend vasodilators and ACE inhibitors.
Dandruff	Skin flakes Dry, irritated skin Excessive scratching, biting, and licking	Special medicated shampoos such as Tropiclean ,Oatmeal shampoo may be recommended.
Degenerative Myelopathy	Difficulty getting up or sitting down Difficulty walking Clumsiness Trembling hind legs During the final stages, dogs may experience difficulty breathing, incontinence, organ failure, and muscle atrophy	Physical therapy, special exercises, and acupuncture may be recommended Often treated with vitamin supplements for dogs.
Demodectic Mange	Persistent itching Hair loss Bald spots Alopecia Scabbing Sores Lesions Redness Scaling	Usually treated with special shampoos and dips. Certain flea and tick medications for dogs can also work in treating demodectic mange.
Ear Infection	Hearing loss Inflammation and redness around the ear canal Milky, odorous discharge Unusual darting eye movement (nystagmus) Dragging infected ear on furniture or floor Shaking their head	Antibacterial and antifungal ear drops such as Gentamicin Sulfate, Mometasone Furoate Monohydrate, and Clotrimazole otic suspension may be prescribed. Vets may also recommend NSAIDs to manage the pain.
Ear Mites	Brown, coffee ground-like particles Swelling in the ear Head shaking Scratching Odor	Special ear mite treatment kits to safely administer pyrethrins to kill mites in the ear canal is often recommended. Ear mite sprays can also effectively eradicate the infestation.
Ehrlichiosis	Fever Sores Inflammation of the blood vessels Nose bleeds Pale gums Swollen lymph nodes Breathing problems Coughing Increased urination Eye problems Lameness Confusion Disorientation Changes in behavior	Most vets prescribe Doxycycline for 6 to 8 weeks.
Elbow Dysplasia	Limping or lameness Favoring one leg Abnormal gait Swelling of the elbow Lethargy In pain	Rehabilitation therapy and surgery are common treatment options. NSAIDs such as Carprofen is usually prescribed to reduce discomfort.
Fibrosarcoma	A lump Ulceration and bleeding Swelling of the affected area Loss of appetite Loss in sociability In pain	Surgical removal of the tumor is the best and often the recommended course of treatment. Radiation therapy following surgery is often used to kill the remaining cells.
Flea Allergy Dermatitis	Severe itching Redness of the skin Pimple-like, pus-filled bumps Hair loss Rash Constant itching Recurrent tapeworm	Flea control products such as Bravecto, Advantix II,simparica are recommended to kill the flea population. Antimicrobial wipes such as Nootie Dermatology Solutions may also help treat infected areas
Gastric Torsion	Bloat Empty retches Swollen midsection Increase in saliva production Difficulty breathing Fatigue Rapid heartbeat Pale gums Drop in body temperature Restlessness Anxiety Shock	Vets detect a rotated stomach based off clinical signs, the pet’s medical history, and X-Rays. If detected, vets perform stabilization procedures followed by surgery to put the stomach back in its place.
Gingivitis	Bleeding Redness Swollen gums Bad breath	Can be treated by regularly rinsing with Chlorhexidine. Special medicated gels like Oratene can also help in controlling the infection.
Glaucoma	Pain Redness and inflammation Dilated pupils Sensitivity to light Discharge Vision loss Cloudiness in cornea Enlarged eye Behavioral changes	Administration of Timolol eye drops is often the preferred way of treating canine glaucoma.
Heartworm	Cough Fatigue Trouble breathing Reluctance to exercise Abnormal lung sounds	An injectable drug called melarsomine is often administered to kill adult worms present in the heart. Following successful treatment regular deworming using heartworm medications for dogs should be recommended.
Hemangiosarcoma	Exhaustion Depression Disinterest in food Anemia	Removing the tumor surgically and chemotherapy.
High Blood Pressure	Rapid heart rate Dilated pupils Nosebleeds Blood in urine Difficulty seeing Enlarged thyroid gland Misshapen kidneys	Calcium channel blockers and beta blockers such as Atenolol is recommended. Vets commonly prescribe amlodipine to control high blood pressure. Low sodium diet is often prescribed following diagnosis.
Hip Dysplasia	Avoiding activities Trouble getting up or sitting down Difficulty jumping up Lameness	Vets recommend apet bed warmer to provide comfort and relieve pain. Hip and joint supplements such as Pet Naturals Hip + Joint are usually recommended to improve mobility. Vets usually prescribe NSAIDs along with Gabapentin to reduce pain.
Hookworm	Anemia Bloody or black stool Diarrhea Pruritus Dermatitis on the paw pads	Most multi-parasite dewormer such as ivermectin/pyrantel pamoate/praziquantel that kills intestinal worms also kills hookworms.
Hot Spots	Sensitivity Circular, red, swollen patches Oozing pus or discharge Unpleasant odor Hair loss Excessive licking, biting, or scratching Fear or aggression	Topical medications such as sprays, foams, and creams are often recommended. Popular products include Vet’s Best Hot Spot Spray , Zymox Topical Spray , and Earthbath Hot Spot Relief.
Hyperthyroidism*	Weight loss Increased appetite Excessive shedding Vomiting Diarrhea Hyperactivity Enlarged thyroid gland Trouble breathing Increased thirst and urine *Note that cases of Hyperthyroidism are extremely rare in dogs, more commonly found in cats. Dogs with a thyroid condition generally suffer from Hypothyroidism.	Anti thyroid drugs methimazole and carbimazole is the most common treatment option.
Hypothyroidism	Thinning fur on the body Dull coat Excessive shedding Thickening of the skin Darkened skin color Weight gain with decreased appetite Lethargy Intolerant of exercise Intolerant of the cold	Levothyroxine tabs are used to correct the thyroid levels and reduce symptoms.
Kennel Cough	Dry, hacking cough “Honking” sound Retching up a white, foamy discharge Snorting Nasal discharge Sneezing Pink eye	Antibiotic tabs such as Doxycycline, Baytril(Enrofloxacin), and Clavamox (amoxicillin/clavulanic acid) are usually the only treatment option.
Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca (aka Chronic Dry Eye)	Dullness or lack of “shine” to the eyes Discharge from the eyes Redness around the eyelid Sensitivity to light Rubbing or scratching at eyes Changes to the cornea Loss of vision Frantic behavior	Medications such as cyclosporine and tacrolimus (immunosuppressive drug) is recommended to encourage tear production. Neurogenic KCS can be treated with Pilocarpine.
Liver Disease	Loss of appetite Weight loss Weakness or lack of energy Depression Vomiting and stomach pain Increased thirst and urination Jaundice	Supplements with milk thistle and SAM-e can improve liver function. Pets with liver tumor or cyst may need surgery.
Liver Shunt	Stunted growth Slow weight gain Poor muscle development Seizures Drooling Vomiting Diarrhea Head pressing Disorientation Depression Shaking Kidney and bladder infections Kidney stones	A surgical procedure to improve blood flow to the liver is often recommended by vets.
Lyme Disease	Depression Fever Lameness Loss of appetite Presence of ticks	Doxycycline and amoxicillin tabs are ideally prescribed.
Nuclear Sclerosis	Opaque, blue-gray lens in the eye Minor decrease in vision	Should be regularly monitored for cataract. No medical treatment is usually recommended.
Otitis Externa	Scratching or rubbing affected ear Head shaking or tilting Strong odor coming from ear Pain Red, thick underside of the ear Reluctance to open mouth wide Cauliflower-like appearance of the ear White discharge (if bacterial)	Anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory topical ointments for dogs such as Otomax (Gentamicin/betamethasone valerate/clotrimazole) are often prescribed by the vet to control the infection. Vets may also prescribe special otic gels having a combination product containing an antibiotic (florfenicol), an antifungal (terbinafine), and a steroid anti-inflammatory (betamethasone acetate)
Parvo	Severe diarrhea Lethargy Vomiting Dehydration Blood in stool Especially odorous feces	Anti-nausea medication is often recommended.(Ondensteron) Intravenous fluid support may be prescribed to replenish electrolyte levels. Antibiotics such as cephalexin, fluoroquinolones, and ampicillin may be prescribed.
Patellar Luxation	Difficulty walking Trouble getting up or sitting down Taking weight off one leg	Massage therapy is the most popular course of treatment. Surgical correction may be a good option at certain stages of the condition.
Periodontitis	Loose teeth Bad breath Tooth pain Sneezing Nasal discharge Loss of teeth	Teeth with excess tartar buildup may need dental cleaning done by a professional. Regular brushing with a quality dog toothpaste such as C.E.T. Enzymatic toothpaste is recommended. Oratene Antiseptic Oral Gel is often prescribed to control the infection.
Per apical abscess	Halitosis Discolored teeth Swollen gums Facial swelling	Antibiotics and NSAIDs such as Carprofen are recommended to quickly control the pain and inflammation. In certain cases, tooth extraction or root canal treatment may be necessary.
Proliferating gum disease	Increase in height and thickness of the gums Bleeding Bad breath Excessive drooling Decreased appetite	Vets usually recommend a strict dental care regimen. Anti-plaque medication such as Ora-Clens Plaque Control is recommended along with regular brushing with a quality toothpaste such as Nylabone Advanced. Vets may also recommend antibiotics to control severe gum infections.
Pruritus	Insatiable need to scratch, rub, chew, or lick the affected area	Treatment depends on what’s causing the itchiness. If it’s caused by seasonal allergies something like Fexofenadine can be used
Pyoderma	Red inflamed patches Hot spots Redness, papules, and pustules develop on the hair follicles Scabbed-over circular lesions Pain in the infected area Infection is warm to the touch Red streaks on the skin Pockets of pus	Bathing with antibacterial shampoo with chlorhexidine is recommended. Oral antibiotics may also be prescribed.
Rabies	Lethargy Fever Vomiting Excessive drooling Sensitivity Odd behavior like unchecked aggression, hallucinations, self-mutilation, and ataxia (appearing drunk)	There is no known treatment for rabies. Timely administration of anti-rabies vaccination is highly recommended.
Ringworm	Dry, scaly, missing patches of skin Lesions	To manage serious cases, vets prescribe anti-fungal meds for dogs such as fluconazole,ketoconazole, terbinafine, griseofulvin, or itraconazole. Anti-fungal sprays and ointments are recommended for treating minor cases.
Roundworm	Diarrhea Pot-bellied appearance Vomit Cough Weight loss Dull coat Blocked intestine	All quality multi-parasite intestinal dewormer kills roundworms.
Sarcoptic Mange	Persistent itching Redness Scabs Sores	Treating affected areas with a scabicide (Permethrin and sulfur ) is the primary course of action. Antimicrobial shampoos can help in reducing symptoms Lime sulphur dips and dips with ivermectin or selamectin is often recommended for as long as 6 weeks.
Sebaceous Adenitis	Stinking sores Scaling skin; Hair loss Lesions and sores around the head, neck, and back Itchiness Purplish looking skin	Light brushing to remove skin flakes is often recommended. Antimicrobial shampoo such as Malaseb andChloraSeb can provide symptomatic relief. Oil massage and moisturizing shampoos such as Ultra Oatmeal can remove flaking of the skin.
Spondylosis	Stiffness Limping Restricted movement and rotation Sensitivity to touch Back pain Growths that you can feel along the spine	Common NSAIDs such as Carprofen Meloxicam are recommended for pain management. Acupuncture treatment and physical therapy may help improve quality of life.
Tapeworm	Diarrhea Loss of appetite Vomiting Weight loss Irritability You may see tapeworm in your dog’s stool	Broad spectrum dewormers such as ivermectin/pyrantel pamoate/praziquantel) work well in killing tapeworms.
Upper Respiratory Infection	Sneezing Discharge from their eyes, nose, and throat Fever Drooling Difficulty swallowing Dry, rough cough	Antibiotics such as Doxycycline and Azithromycin is prescribed to reduce the infection.
Vestibular Disorder	Spinning or walking in circles Stumbling Lack of coordination Head tilting or shaking Wide, exaggerated stance Falling or rolling to the side Involuntary drifting or jerking eye movements (nystagmus) Abnormal eyeball alignment Vomiting Motion sickness Loss of appetite and thirst Sleeping on hard surfaces Sleeplessness	Dogs need to be restricted from climbing stairs or high places to prevent serious injury. Anti-nausea medication such as Cerenia (Maropitant citrate ) may also be prescribed.
Von Willebrand’s Disease	Bleeding gums Bloody urine Frequent nosebleeds Bruises easily Inability to clot	Different types of blood transfusions may be required to control severe conditions.
Whipworm	Bloody diarrhea Dehydration Weight loss Lethargy Anemia	All broad spectrum intestinal dewormers kill whipworms. Products include Drontal Plus (praziquantel/pyrantel pamoate/febantel) , Bravecto,Simparica and many others. Some meds such as Trifexis(spinosad + milbemycin oxime) prevents fleas and heartworms along with controlling intestinal parasites.