Types

• Many serious viruses infect dogs. These viruses include rabies, distemper, parvovirus, coronavirus, kennel cough, herpesvirus, infectious canine hepatitis and the H3N8 dog flu.
  
  Diseases such as rabies (which is always fatal), distemper, parvovirus and infectious canine hepatitis have a high mortality rate, and dogs infected require veterinary treatment. Coronavirus, kennel cough, herpesvirus and the H3N8 dog flu may be serious or even deadly in some dogs, but present few problems in healthy, adult dogs.
  
  

Features

• Rabies is a viral disease of the central nervous system which causes paralysis, aggressiveness, extreme salivation and death. Distemper signs include high fever, watery eyes and runny nose, seizures, chomping, head-shaking and hardened pads on the dog's feet. Parvovirus attacks the gastrointestinal system with diarrhea (often bloody) and vomiting combined with a high fever. Infectious canine hepatitis may cause bloody diarrhea, fever, vomiting blood and jaundice.
  
  Coronavirus is a virus of the gastrointestinal system that causes diarrhea. Kennel cough is a condition caused by a number of viruses and bacteria that produces a dry cough. Herpesvirus can cause infections in both the male and female sexual organs. Dog flu causes respiratory problems such as sneezing, coughing, runny nose, fever and watery eyes.
  
  

Infectious Agent

• In rabies, a dog contracts the disease from the bite of an infected animal. With distemper, dogs can pick it up through the air, on people's shoes and clothing or from areas contaminated with the virus. Kennel cough and flu can be contracted through the air. Parvovirus, coronavirus and canine infectious hepatitis are contracted through contact with feces and, in the case of hepatitis, urine or other bodily fluids. In many cases, parvovirus lives in contaminated soil for up to a year. Herpesvirus can be spread through sexual contact.
  
  

Warning

• Many of these diseases can be fatal if left untreated. Always seek veterinary attention if you suspect that your dog has one of these diseases. Many of these diseases attack young dogs and puppies.
  
  

Prevention/Solution

• With the exception of the herpesvirus, vaccines are available for all the aforementioned diseases, and they are very effective at preventing these diseases. Talk with your veterinarian about which vaccinations are appropriate for your dog.