Dogs are like humans. They will benefit from as much preventative medicine as we can offer them, and they'll also benefit from their owners being attentive to the tell-tale signs of ticks, and fleas, and other dog aliments.

If your dog licks her paws, she might an allergy that leads to fleas or ticks. You want to be on the look-out for your dog sneezing or scratching itself, your dog licking its feet or rubbing its face, or hair loss and scabs and sores. One treatment is to give your dog regular dog baths, at least once or twice a week, along with a regular rub down with a wet cloth. Fleas can carry other parasitic organisms, such as tapeworms, and these tapeworms can lead to allergic reactions, anemia, hair loss, and infections. Ticks can carry the deadly Lyme disease.

Worms take second place in the list of possible dog aliments, after fleas that is. The worms may come in the form of heartworms, hookworms, roundworms, tapeworms, or whipworms. If your dog has worms, some of the symptoms may include diarrhea, vomiting, lost weight or lethargy. Worms are typically not noticeable without stool examination or blood tests. Take your dog in for an annual check-up for worms, and other infestations.

Canine Distemper affects the nervous system and organs. Its a good idea to vaccinate your dog for this disease as it can be fatal. Rabies is also preventable through vaccination. Rabies happens when one infected generally transmitted by the bite of an infected animal to non-infected animal. It is almost always fatal and can be transmitted to humans. Coronavirus, Kennel Cough, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, and Parvo are diseases that include symptoms such as coughing, labored breathing, and weight loss, as well as vomiting or diarrhea.

Early detection is the best way to keep your dog a fit and happy dog. Take your dog to the vet and ask about vaccinations. A lot of diseases can be prevented by a simple vaccination. Not only will you help keep your dog happy, but you'll do yourself good as well. After all, humans are not immune to dog diseases. If your dog gets fleas, you might find yourself starting to itch.

Diet is equally important. You might want to start buying hypoallergenic dog food from the vets or start making your own home-made dog-food.