Rabies

Rabies is an infectious and contagious disease which affects the nervous system, and it especially affects mammals and birds. Even when this disease is more frequent in wolves and other wild animals, dogs and humans can also suffer from it. In this case, humans are more exposed to the disease because we are in contact with the animals.

The transmission of this disease usually occurs when an infected dog bites another healthy one. The saliva of the infected dog contains the virus, which, when coming in contact with the healthy dog, attacks the nervous system. The incubation period can vary depending on the weight and the anatomy of the infected dog and the location and severity of the wounds. The symptoms of this disease are presented in three phases:

Melancholic: It lasts approximately two days and is accompanied by a high feverish state, an evident change in character and a possible intense itching of the wounded area.

Arousment: The animal is a lot more active and aggressive and it is possible that he will bite other dogs or even humans.

Paralytic: A progressive paralysis is produced and the animal dies immediately because of the damage caused to the nervous system.

This disease is easy to prevent: simply vaccinate your dog periodically. It is good to bear in mind that cats are also exposed to this disease.

Hepatitis
This is a widespread infectious disease. However, it can't be transmitted to humans. It is transmitted via the natural way, which means, by the secretion of the digestive tract, defecation and saliva.

In its most advanced phase, it is also transmitted through the urine as the virus is located in the kidneys. Dogs can acquire the disease throughout their whole life. The symptoms appear with high fever, around 40 and 41 degrees Celsius. The dogs that get over this disease suffer from relapses for the rest of their life, causing eye injuries such as iridocyclitis, accompanied by an ocular opacity that will disappear after a few days.

The best way to treat this disease is by administering wide spectrum antibiotics -- obviously with a medical prescription.