Dog Health Problems: How You Can Shield Your Dog Against Infectious Hepatitis

Serious dog health problems include a wide range of dangerous diseases and ailments. But one of the most feared ailments that all dogs are at risk of attracting is called infectious hepatitis.

Dogs of all ages are susceptible to infectious hepatitis - a dog health issue every dog owner should protect his animal against. Because approximately eighty percent of all dogs over one year of age are exposed to hepatitis, vaccination against the disease usually is considered a must.

Hepatitis is caused by a virus which infects the kidneys and is eliminated in the urine even after the animal has recovered. Symptoms of this disease may vary in severity from dog to dog, but they usually include a fever of at least 104 degrees Fahrenheit.

As the infection progresses with this serious dog health issue, the animal becomes listless, shows lack of appetite, develops an extreme thirst, and has watery discharge from his eyes. In addition, his throat, especially the tonsils, become swollen.

Statistics show that the mortality rate for dogs with this disease is very high. Those dogs that recover usually eat well, but are slow to regain lost weight. For these reasons you should seek advice from your family veterinarian immediately upon recognizing the symptoms and get the appropriate medication administered to the puppy as early as possible.

How Does The Virus Spread?

Major dog health problems such as infectious hepatitis is a disease that usually affects young puppies although it can strike dogs of any age. The virus is not airborne and it is not likely that your puppy will contract hepatitis in this manner.

The hepatitis virus attacks a puppy when he comes in direct contact with the saliva or urine of infected animals. When given proper medicine, the disease settles in the kidneys and is eliminated through your pup's urine.

The virus may also be passed on to a puppy in an indirect way. Objects made out of wood or pieces of clothing may harbor canine hepatitis virus that may be transferred to others and cause severe dog health issues within the recipient.

Urine from recovered animals also contains hepatitis virus and is a major factor in the spread of the disease. The urine of an infected animal is dangerous for some time following recovery. Pet owners should keep these dog health issues in mind when taking their animals out for their daily walks.

A Good Vaccination Program

A solid vaccination program against dog health issues such as infectious hepatitis usually consists of two doses for puppy's under three months of age. The first dose is to be given after weaning and the second dose two to three weeks later. Dogs older than three months should respond to a single dose inoculation.

Life-long preventions of major dog health issues for your dog or puppy can be maintained with an annual vaccination program. Please schedule an appointment with your veterinarian for an examination to ensure your pet is up-to-date with his shots to maintain good dog health.

Dog Health Conditions And A Few Other Types Of Dog Health Concerns
Research to accurately determine the characteristics of dog health problems as a result of inherited disease and congenital disease can be a long process. Below are some examples of common diseases that we know for the most part are inherited, while others are still in research.

Puppy House Training
Dog Kennel Training, most often described as Crate Training, is the best way to get started with house breaking the new puppy you have just brought home. 'Kennel' may be referred to as 'Crate' and 'Kennel Training' may be referred to as 'Crate Training' through out this article.

Tiny Breed Dog Training
Why dog lovers have this preconceived notion that small dogs are more difficult to train than medium sized or larger dogs, I will never be able to understand.

Purchasing A Dog - Can You Afford It?
You are fairly well off, and have a large house with a spacious back yard and front garden, and feel you can provide a good home for a dog. But wait; there is more to buying a dog than just living space.

Puppy Socializing Coaching Classes
Puppy training classes come highly recommended as a means of helping a dog owner to correctly train their new pets. There are two types of puppy training classes, the puppy socializing training class and the puppy obedience training class. Let us have a look at at both.

Repress Biting Instincts In Pet Dogs
Do you have a dog that bites? Then it is time you took measures to stop dog from biting. There is great danger in allowing it to continue, just because you feel it is only nipping. Playful nipping will always, turn into serious and dangerous biting.

Easy To Learn Dog Obedience Training Methods
The basic commands of dog obedience training are sit, stay and come. These basic training commands are extremely important and will serve for the remainder of your dog's life.