Common Puppy Illnesses and What To Do

There’s so much joy in getting a new puppy. But common puppy illnesses such as kennel cough or leptospirosis can quickly turn what should be a great time into a nightmare. It often isn’t your fault, but you do have some responsibility to ensure the health of the new addition to the family.

How These Happen

There are many reasons why puppies get sick. This can happen because of genetics from in-breeding, poor conditions in their environment, and even exposure to the outside world. This is why vets recommend you get your puppies fully vaccinated. This company is a perfect example of a responsible breeder. Yet there may not be much you can do if the puppy has been raised in a “puppy factory” where people breed dogs purely for profit with no care provided.

How Common Puppy Illnesses Affect You

There may not be much you can do about where the puppy comes from. But raising it well and making sure it is healthy is your responsibility once it is in your hands. Not raising a puppy with the care it needs means you will face large medical expenses down the line, and as a breeder, you will lose your good reputation. Under certain circumstances, you will also face criminal charges for neglecting to care for a puppy if it is found its death could have been prevented.

Kennel Cough when Breeding

Let’s start with the most common illness that puppies get, and that’s kennel cough. This typically happens when the puppies are raised with numerous other dogs. But it is also common where dogs mix, such as in boarding kennels, and it is cold for dogs. Symptoms include coughing, not eating, and low energy. If your puppy has these symptoms, you can see a vet for a course of antibiotic treatment that should clear up the issue pretty quickly, but your dog will be contagious.

Parvovirus is Deadly to Dogs

Parvovirus is among the most dangerous illnesses for puppy and adult dogs. It is very contagious and easily spreads between dogs, and is fatal for unvaccinated puppies. It’s also one of the most sickening in terms of symptoms. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, and severe weight loss. And the worst thing is that there is no cure for this virus. The best you can do is care for your puppy with fluids and lots of attention, taking it to a vet if you can’t do this.

Canine Distemper in Unvaccinated Puppies

Preventing canine distemper is one of the best reasons for vaccinating your puppies. Although it is not as common as it once was, it is deadly to younger dogs. Unlike easily treated fungal outbreaks, this nasty virus lingers in the air and is made worse when it is cold and wet.

Symptoms of canine distemper

There are many symptoms of canine distemper, but they may or may not all be present. Most commonly, these include a lack of energy, coughing, and a runny nose. These are common with other illnesses too, but you can also look for extra skin on the nose and occasional seizures. 

Caring for a puppy with canine distemper

Also, like Parvo, there is no cure for canine distemper. Be sure to provide somewhere clean for them to rest and stay calm, wipe away any expulsions, and provide water. A vet can also do this for you, which is recommended because the recovery rate is much lower than other illnesses.

Younger and unvaccinated puppies are at a higher risk of getting canine distemper virus. The good news is that it dies off quickly in the environment. But the bad news is that any dogs that have it may need ongoing treatment for the rest of their lives, and recovery rates are low.

Organ-Destroying Rubarth’s Disease

Rubarth’s disease is passed on from infected dogs directly and indirectly. It is especially brutal because it attacks the organs such as the eyes, kidneys, liver, lungs, and heart. To be sure of Rubarh’s Disease, also look for pale or yellow gums with red spots. Fortunately, recovery is quick and easy if you catch this quickly before symptoms get worse. However, it is recommended you immediately take your puppy for veterinary care as soon as possible.

Bacterial Leptospirosis

Puppies, and indeed adult dogs, will drink dirty water, which could be infected with leptospirosis. This can also be passed on from infected mice and rats via their urine. The shocking thing about this is that humans can also become infected with leptospirosis, so you need to act immediately on this. It can also survive in an environment for a long time. Your puppy might have symptoms such as a fever, jaundice and won’t eat. Antibiotics and fluid-based supportive care will help.

Parasites and Common Puppy Illnesses

Parasites are other organisms that live inside or on another and use them to survive, often at the expense of the host’s health. Puppies are prone to a range of parasites, including roundworms, tapeworms, and Giardia internally. External parasites include fleas and ticks, lice, and ear mites. The treatment your puppy needs will depend on the parasite itself, but OTC or vet-prescribed deworming remedies and flea treatments can help prevent almost all of these. 

General Vomiting and Diarrhea

More often than not, voting and diarrhea in puppies are caused by something they have eaten and may not be cause for alarm. There could be something in their stomach, they have eaten something poisonous such as chocolate, or they may even be stressed. When this happens, just keep an eye on your dog and make sure they don’t get worse. But if symptoms such as labored breathing, going limp, or not eating occur, it might be best to take the dog to the vet.

Summary

There are many reasons, such as not being vaccinated and being raised poorly, that can cause common puppy illnesses. These include Parvo, Rubarth’s Disease, and Leptospirosis. However, it could also just be something your dog ate. So it’s always best to just keep an eye on them.