If you are reading this post, it is likely your dog has infections, and you are looking for ways to deal with it. It is also possible that you just want to be prepared in case your canine friend gets bacterial infections in the future. Whichever the case, you have come to the right post.
Dogs, just like us, are at risk of bacterial infections. Many reasons would make dogs develop these infections. As such, pet parents should have some knowledge of how to deal with mysterious infections in dogs.
This way, you can know what signs to look out for when your dog has infections and how to treat them. In this post, we shall look at what causes bacterial infections in dogs and how to manage them. Read along and learn more.
What Causes Bacterial Infections in Dogs
While dogs are exposed to bacteria most of the time, they can fight it off without becoming sick. Your dog will only show signs of sickness if they have a weak immune system, and they are unable to fight off the bacteria from their system.
Many pathogenic bacteria can affect your dog. They include:
- Leptospirosis
- Salmonella
- Clostridia
- Helicobacter
- Campylobacter
- Clostridia
- E coli
- Bordetella
- Etc.
Your dog can get bacterial infections from various sources, including feces, water, undercooked meat, etc. Your dog is at a higher risk of developing bacterial infections if they spend a lot of time with other dogs in kennels. What’s more, dogs with a weak immune system, for instance, puppies and geriatric dogs are also at a higher risk of developing bacterial infections.
Signs of Bacterial Infections in Dogs
Your dog will exhibit various signs when they develop infections. Ideally, these signs will depend on where your dog has been affected.
However, in most cases, a dog with infections will exhibit signs such as vomiting, diarrhea, coughing, sneezing, fever, lethargic, etc. Other visible signs include wounds, swelling, discharge in the nose, mouth, and eye areas, among others.
How to Treat Bacterial Infections in Dogs
The type of treatment that your pet will need will depend on the type and the severity of the infection.
If your dog shows moderate signs of the infection, then antibiotics may be the best treatment. For instance, you can use Cephalexin antibiotics for dogs to treat common bacterial infections. Vet recommends it to treat respiratory, bone, urinary, joint, and skin respiratory infections.
Even so, depending on your dog’s medical history, your veterinarian may recommend a different type of antibiotic. Your vet may also recommend surgical intervention if your dog has more severe infections.
The surgical treatments will also vary depending on where your dog is affected and the severity of the infection. If your dog has developed major bacterial infections, your vet may opt to refer you to a veterinary surgeon.
Some Common Bacterial Infections in Dogs
Your canine friend is at risk of many bacterial infections. This is especially the case if they interact with many other pets outdoors. The worst part is that some of these infections can be fatal if not managed early enough. To that end, here are the most common bacterial infections in dogs:
Actinomycosis
As the name suggests, this infection is caused by Actinomyces sp., a bacteria found in the soil. Ideally, this bacterium enters your dog’s skin through a wound. You can treat this condition using penicillin-based antibiotics. Failure to seek early medical treatment can make the disease affect your dog’s chest and abdomen.
Leptospirosis
This is another type of infection caused by spirochetes bacteria. Leptospirosis can affect both animals and humans.
Your dog can contract this disease from stagnated water or when they come into contact with urine from infected animals. It can also be transmitted during mating or through bites.
Bacterial Ear Infection
Your canine friend is likely to develop this infection if they have an underlying condition.
Typical signs associated with a bacterial ear infection include bad odor, itchy, and inflamed inner ear, etc. While dogs with a strong immune system can easily fight this infection, those with a weaker immune system will be significantly affected.
Ways to Prevent Bacterial Infections in Dogs
One of the best ways to protect your dog against bacterial infection is through early diagnosis.
To that end, ensure to consult your vet immediately if another dog bites your dog. Also, make sure you have groomed your dog appropriately after spending time outdoors. While you are unlikely to see foreign particles in your dog’s body using your naked eyes, using a comb to brush them off your dog’s body will help.
