Common Dog Diseases in India: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment Guide

Tick fever

Ticks are everywhere in India and they spread infections such as ehrlichiosis and babesiosis, often called tick fever.

• Signs: fever, tiredness, not eating, pale gums, bruising or nose bleeds, dark urine.
• Prevention: a vet-recommended tick preventive all year round, and checking ears, toes and neck after walks.
• Treatment: blood tests and medicine from your vet. Caught early, most dogs recover well.

Parvovirus

Parvo is a serious virus that mostly hits puppies and unvaccinated dogs. It spreads through infected stool and survives in the environment for a long time.

• Signs: sudden vomiting, severe and often bloody diarrhoea, weakness, no appetite.
• Prevention: puppy vaccinations on schedule, and keeping puppies away from unknown dogs and public ground until fully vaccinated.
• Treatment: urgent hospital care. Do not wait.

Canine distemper

• Signs: fever, discharge from the eyes and nose, cough, then sometimes twitching or fits.
• Prevention: vaccination.
• Treatment: supportive care from your vet; there is no cure for the virus itself, so prevention matters.

Rabies

Rabies is fatal and can pass to people. Vaccination is essential for every dog, and boosters keep protection up.

• If your dog is bitten by another animal, wash the wound with soap and running water for 15 minutes and see a vet the same day.
• If a person is bitten, they should wash the wound and see a doctor straight away.

Leptospirosis

Spread through water and soil contaminated by rat urine, so cases rise in the monsoon.

• Signs: fever, vomiting, tiredness, yellow eyes or gums, changes in thirst and urine.
• Prevention: vaccination, and keeping dogs out of floodwater and puddles.
• Treatment: antibiotics and care from your vet.

Skin problems

Itching, hair loss, hot spots and fungal infections are very common in humid weather. Causes include fleas and ticks, mites (mange), allergies and food.

• Keep your dog dry after baths and rain, especially between toes and in skin folds.
• Use a vet-approved flea and tick preventive.
• See a vet for red, broken, smelly or spreading skin.

Heat stroke

• Signs: heavy panting, drooling, bright red gums, wobbling, collapse.
• Prevention: walk early and late, carry water, and never leave a dog in a parked car.
• First aid: move to shade, cool with room-temperature (not ice-cold) water, and go to a vet.

Worms

Roundworms, hookworms and tapeworms are common, especially in puppies. Regular deworming, on the schedule your vet sets, keeps them in check.

The prevention checklist

• Vaccines on schedule, with boosters.
• Year-round tick and flea prevention.
• Deworming as your vet advises.
• A yearly check-up, twice a year for seniors.
• Good food, fresh water and a healthy weight.