Common Stray Dog Diseases

Stray dogs live in filthy germ-ridden environments. They eat spoiled food from trash cans, sleep in dirty areas and are highly susceptible to a wide variety of fatal diseases. Many of these diseases are preventable by vaccines, which are unavailable to stray animals. Have a stray dog checked by a veterinarian before taking him home, especially if you have other pets.

Fleas

If untreated, as with stray dogs, fleas will cause an array of irritating symptoms. A flea-bitten dog can have severe allergic reactions, infected skin sores and hair loss. Some flea-infested dogs will not eat or sleep due to constant scratching, and they eventually will die.

Heartworms

Heartworm is caused by a roundworm that is transmitted by mosquitoes. The roundworm affects the heart and lungs, ending in death if not treated early. Many dogs do not show signs until the disease is in its advanced stages. Symptoms include lack of energy, labored breathing, coughing and weight loss.

Parvo

Parvo is a very common and often fatal disease in stray dogs. This viral disease causes death within days from the onset of symptoms, which include weakness, vomiting, large amounts of bloody diarrhea and fever. Parvo is transmitted through bodily wastes and it is extremely difficult to rid an area of the disease once it has been in contact with an infected dogs feces.

Distemper

Distemper is a highly contagious viral disease that is present in a dogs bodily fluid excretions. This disease is fatal to 90 percent of infected dogs. Symptoms include fever, nose and eye discharge, nervous signs, paralysis, vomiting and skin sores. The few that survive this disease usually end up with a long-term nerve or skin ailment.

Ear Mites

The unsanitary living conditions that strays are accustomed to make them vulnerable to an ear mite infestation. If gone untreated, this ear infection can become a maggot infestation, leading to the dogs slow and painful death.

Throat Worm

Throat worm is a disease spread by the dung beetle. Dogs who scavenge for food through garbage are the most susceptible to this disease. This disease is slow to develop following ingestion of the dung beetle. This beetle is parasitic during its migration through a dogs body. Throat worm disease, to begin with, causes the rupture of major blood vessels and large swellings in the throat. If the dog is treated at this point, there is a good chance for survival, but he likely will develop further complications.

Mange

Mange is a microscopic mite infestation on or in the skin. Mange mites are controlled by a dogs immune system, but when their immune system is weakened, the mites multiply uncontrollably. A stray often has a weakened immune system due to disease or poor diet. Mange causes skin flaking, hair loss, severe itching and infected lesions. The untreated stray likely will develop severe infections, blood loss and maggot infestation that leads to death.