Bringing your dog to public places is an excellent way to help them socialize and release pent-up energy. However, it also comes with some risks. Exposing your dog to other animals and insects in the outside world means there’s a possibility that they could come into contact with diseases that spread among animals. Despite these risks, it’s important for your dog’s well-being to be active outside. In this blog, we will discuss the common diseases that dogs can contract, the locations where these diseases spread, and how to ensure the safety of your beloved pet.

Common Locations Where Your Dog May Contract a Disease

• Dog parks
• Restaurants & Breweries
• Campgrounds & Festivals
• Overgrown backyards
• Walking you dog

What types of diseases are contagious?

Here are some examples of the different types of diseases that can affect your dog and how they can contract them:

• Canine distemper, also transmitted via respiratory droplets, presents symptoms such as coughing, nasal and eye discharge, fever, and lethargy.
• Kennel cough, contracted from other dogs, manifests with symptoms like coughing, sneezing, decreased appetite, and lethargy.

• Canine parvovirus spreads through infected dogs, feces, or surfaces, causing symptoms such as loss of appetite, vomiting, lethargy, diarrhea, and, if untreated, death.
• Ringworm, passed through infected hair or surfaces, results in a localized circular hair loss pattern on your pet.Canine flu is spread through respiratory droplets from one dog to another and shows symptoms like coughing, nasal discharge, fever, and lethargy.

• Leptospirosis: contracted via infected urine or soil; symptoms include vomiting, loss of appetite, jaundice, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and lethargy
• Roundworm is acquired from an infected mother, feces, or another animal. Typical symptoms involve vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, and a distended abdomen.
• Hookworm is contracted from an infected mother, feces, or another animal, leading to symptoms like anemia, weight loss, diarrhea, and a lackluster coat.

• Whipworms are obtained from an infected mother, feces, or another animal, resulting in symptoms such as diarrhea, poor coat condition, and weight loss.Rabies is transmitted through a bite or contact with a rabid animal. Initial signs include lethargy, fever, and vomiting, progressing to aggression, nerve issues, weakness, paralysis, seizures, and ultimately, fatality.

• Lyme disease is transmitted through tick bites and can lead to symptoms such as fever, lameness, lethargy, and loss of appetite. Ehrlichiosis, also transmitted via tick bites, may result in fever, weight loss, joint pain, and blood-clotting issues. Anaplasmosis, another tick-borne illness, typically shows symptoms like lameness and mild vomiting or diarrhea. Babesiosis, spread by ticks, can cause fever, loss of appetite, weakness, and lethargy. Rocky Mountain spotted fever, carried by ticks, presents symptoms like fever, muscle or joint pain, digestive problems, neurological signs, and reduced appetite. Tularemia, contracted through insect bites or consuming infected animals (such as rabbits), manifests as fever, pain, jaundice, and organ failure.
• Tapeworm infection can occur through ingesting fleas or other infected animals, often while hunting. Typical signs include spotting small white eggs in a pet’s feces, observing worms in vomit, or noticing them around the tail area.
• Heartworms are acquired through mosquito bites, with prevalent symptoms such as coughing, breathing issues, weakness, lethargy, and appetite loss.

 
Tips for helping your dog not get sick 

If you want to protect your pet from contracting a disease, here are some simple steps you can take to minimize their risk:

• Keep them on preventive medication to ward off diseases from parasites like fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes.
• Stay current on your pet’s vaccinations to protect against rabies, canine parvovirus, leptospirosis, and distemper.

• Wait until your puppy is fully vaccinated before letting them explore the world.

• Stay diligent with your pet’s regular veterinary check-ups. Detecting signs of illness in your furry friend isn’t always straightforward. Your veterinary professionals are equipped with the expertise and tools to assess your dog for any possible health concerns and provide timely treatment.
• Avoid sharing water bowls. When you and your furry friend are in public areas with other pets, remember to bring your own water bowl.
• Inspect your pet for fleas or ticks regularly. Despite your dog being on preventive medication, it’s crucial to examine them for these pesky pests, particularly if you reside in a grassy locale.

Thanks for reading our blog today! We hope you found these tips helpful in keeping your furry friend happy and healthy. Remember, always prioritize your pet’s well-being and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety. Happy exploring!