Bringing a puppy home to your family is one of life’s great joys, but it also comes with a great responsibility. As a responsible pet owner, you need to be aware of the risks that come with owning a puppy and take preventative measures to ensure their health and safety. But as with any pet, puppies are prone to certain health problems and diseases, some of which are more common than others.
Being aware of these health problems is crucial to ensuring that your puppy grows up healthy and strong, regardless of whether you’re a new puppy owner or an experienced dog breeder.
Read on to find out the symptoms and treatments of some of the most common puppy health problems.
Table of Contents
5 Common Puppy Health Problems
1. Parvovirus
Parvovirus is a highly contagious virus that affects the gastrointestinal tract of dogs and other mammals. It is most commonly seen in puppies, but can also affect adult dogs. The disease is caused by a type of parvovirus known as Canine Parvovirus Type 2 (CPV-2).
This virus is spread through contact with an infected dog’s faeces, either directly or indirectly. It can also be spread through contaminated objects such as bedding, food dishes, and toys.
Parvovirus causes severe damage to the intestinal lining of puppies, leading to severe vomiting and diarrhoea. These symptoms are usually accompanied by lethargy, dehydration, loss of appetite, and fever.
Without proper treatment, puppies with parvo can die from dehydration or secondary infections due to their weakened immune system. Treatment for parvo requires aggressive supportive care including intravenous fluids and antibiotics as well as specific treatments for the symptoms.
The most effective way to prevent parvo is to make sure all puppies are vaccinated at the appropriate age. Puppies should receive their initial vaccination at six weeks of age followed by boosters every three to four weeks until they reach 16 weeks of age.
Vaccines will help reduce the risk of developing parvo but do not guarantee immunity so it is important that puppies stay away from areas where other dogs may have been exposed to the virus or are unvaccinated.
Additionally, owners should practise good hygiene when handling their puppy by washing their hands after contact with any dog or object that may have had contact with another dog’s faeces.
2. Distemper
Distemper is a contagious, viral disease that can be fatal for puppies. It affects a wide range of species, including dogs, cats, ferrets and foxes. The virus is spread through contact with an infected animal’s saliva or nasal secretions.
The most common symptoms of distemper in puppies include fever, coughing, diarrhoea, vomiting, lethargy, loss of appetite and runny eyes and nose. In more severe cases, seizures may also occur.
As the virus progresses, it can cause inflammation of the brain (encephalitis), leading to neurological symptoms such as muscle twitching or paralysis.
It is important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of distemper so that you can seek treatment if your puppy has been exposed to the virus. Vaccination is the best way to protect your puppy from this potentially deadly disease. These vaccinations will provide them with immunity against the most common strains of distemper.
Unfortunately, even with vaccinations some puppies can still contract distemper due to mutations in the virus. Distemper is particularly dangerous for puppies because their immune systems are not yet fully developed making them more vulnerable to infection and less able to fight off serious complications that may arise as result of contracting it.
3. Kennel Cough
Kennel cough is an infection caused by a variety of bacteria or viruses that affects the trachea (windpipe) of dogs, including Bordetella bronchiseptica, Canine parainfluenza virus, and Canine adenovirus type 2.
It can be spread from dog to dog through direct contact or airborne droplets from sneezing and coughing. The disease can also be transmitted through contaminated surfaces, such as food bowls and toys.
Symptoms include a dry cough, runny nose, sneezing, lethargy, fever and loss of appetite. In severe cases, pneumonia may develop.
Puppies should only interact with healthy dogs in well-ventilated areas since transmission occurs most easily in enclosed spaces with poor air circulation. Owners should also keep their puppies away from any public areas where other dogs may have been present until they have been vaccinated twice against all three viruses mentioned above.
Treatment typically involves antibiotics prescribed by a vet as well as rest and lots of fluids while the dog recovers from the illness at home.
4. Heartworm
Heartworm is a potentially life-threatening condition that affects dogs of all sizes, ages, and breeds. It is caused by parasitic worms (known as Dirofilaria immitis) that live in the heart and lungs of infected dogs. The infection can cause serious damage to organs and tissues, leading to severe health issues if left untreated.
Heartworms are spread through mosquito bites. A single mosquito bite can transmit heartworm larvae into a dog’s bloodstream, where they eventually make their way to the heart and lungs. Once they reach these organs, they grow into adult worms which can cause serious damage.
Early detection is key when it comes to treating heartworm in puppies as the effects of this condition can be devastating if left untreated for too long. Signs such as coughing, difficulty breathing, weight loss, fatigue, loss of appetite and difficulty exercising can all indicate a potential problem with your pup’s health.
If you suspect your puppy has been infected with heartworms, contact your veterinarian immediately so they can diagnose and treat the issue promptly before any further complications arise.
5. Giardia
Giardia is a microscopic parasite that can cause severe gastrointestinal distress and diarrhoea in puppies. It is the most common intestinal parasite in puppies, and it can be transmitted through contact with contaminated waterways, soil, or faeces of other infected animals. Giardia is not only harmful to puppies; it can also affect humans and other animals.
When an animal becomes infected with Giardia, it will experience gastrointestinal distress such as vomiting, diarrhoea, weight loss and dehydration due to loss of fluids from the body.
Puppies have immature immune systems that make them more susceptible to this infection than adult dogs or cats. In addition to physical symptoms, affected puppies may also appear lethargic and depressed due to their weakened state.
In order to diagnose Giardia in puppies, veterinarians will typically perform blood tests and faecal examinations. If Giardia is detected in the faeces sample or blood test results are abnormal, then treatment options should be discussed with your veterinarian right away.
Treatment may include antibiotics or antiparasitic medications that help kill off the parasites and reduce symptoms within several days of starting treatment.
In some cases, surgery may be recommended if the puppy’s condition has become severe enough that removal of part of the intestine becomes necessary for recovery.
