Just like children, puppies also have an entire set of conditions of their own that you need to be aware of. By taking your little one to the vet, you will save yourself from many concerns, but there are still some that can occur after a while, and being aware of them is quite useful.
Kennel cough
Both bacterial infections and canine parainfluenza viruses are airborne and cause kennel cough, which is also known as infectious tracheobronchitis. This disease starts with lethargy, fever, and decreased appetite. Furthermore, puppies develop a productive and deep cough. Untreated kennel cough can lead to pneumonia.
You can vaccinate your puppy against kennel cough from six to eight weeks, and every six to twelve months after that. If you notice your puppy is coughing unusually, get it checked right away.
Canine distemper
Canine distemper is a pretty ugly disease that shows itself in two ways. Initially, it appears as an upper respiratory disease with eye discharge and sneezing and later develops into pneumonia or leads to some neurological problems such as encephalopathy.
Have in mind that this disease frequently gets misdiagnosed because the owners think that the puppy only has a cold, so if you notice tons of discharge from the eyes and nose, seek help immediately.
The vaccination against this is quite effective. The first one takes place at six to eight weeks and the second one after a couple of weeks. If you vaccinate your puppy twice, it will become immune to it.
When it comes to treatment, it usually involves medical help and inpatient supportive care.
Diarrhea and vomiting
Diarrhea is quite common in newborn puppies that started eating solid foods, but it can, on the other hand, also be an indication of many diseases, so as soon as you notice your puppy’s feces are looking unhealthy, immediately take it to the vet.
When it comes to vomiting, some puppies can vomit when they are super excited or super anxious, or when they start running around immediately after eating. They can also vomit if they eat too fast. Make sure you don’t overfeed your puppy and that all meals are delivered in a calm and peaceful setting so that the dog doesn’t feel the need to eat fast and also to avoid any possibility of stress. However, if the vomiting continues for longer than 24 hours, take your puppy to the vet.
Also, make sure you stack up on quality dog supplies such as dietary supplements so that you can react immediately when something like this happens.
Parvovirus
This highly contagious illness attacks puppies from twelve weeks up to three years of age. It is transmitted through various bodily secretions and unvaccinated dogs. When it comes to symptoms, the puppy first gets a fever and after a few days, it experiences bloody diarrhea, vomiting, weakness, and dehydration.
You have to vaccinate against parvovirus, and if you haven’t, you will have to hospitalize your puppy. There, your puppy will receive IV fluids as well as other medicines such as antibiotics, for example, that will provide protection against sepsis.
Leptospirosis
Transmitted through infected urine and water, this bacterial disease can affect the liver and kidneys. Symptoms are similar to flu symptoms – vomiting, fever, lethargy, etc. Treatment includes antibiotics, and the best way to prevent it is through vaccines at ten to twelve weeks and again at thirteen to fifteen.
These are the five most common puppy health problems. Have in mind that most diseases and problems can be handled with preventative measures and early detection. So in other words, make sure your puppy gets all the needed vaccines, keep an eye on all unusual symptoms and constantly show it, love. This way, your puppy will stay happy, strong and healthy for many years to come.
