4 Common Illnesses in Puppies
You have Welcomed your New Puppy home and ready to shower them with love. However are you aware of the common illnesses that your puppy can be exposed to? The very thought of your puppy becoming ill is not something you want to think about. Below you will find 4 common illnesses that you should know about.
- Parvo Virus
- Highly contagious between puppies from the age of 12 weeks to 3 years old
- Transmitted through bodily secretion and unvaccinated dogs
- most puppies are vaccinated against the parvo virus starting at 6 -8 weeks then again every 3 weeks until 4 months old or until your veterinarian recommends
Symptoms
- Fever
- Vomiting
- Bloody diarrhea
- Dehydration
Treatment
- Vaccine against Parvo Virus
- IV antibiotics
- Antibiotics
Recovery Time
- 3-7 Days
- Hospitalization 3-4 days and then go home on antibiotics
2. Distemper
- The first distemper vaccine takes place 6-8 weeks and then again
Symptoms
- Upper Respiratory Infection
- Sneezing
- Eye discharge
- It does have the potential of developing into pneumonia and can lead to neurological problems
Recovery Time
- It can take several weeks
- Respiratory Medications are prescribed upon discharge
3. Kennel Cough
- Highly contagious tracheobronchitis
- Vaccination recommended at 11-12 weeks for puppies that will be around a large group of dogs, such as the groomers, dog parks,kennel/boarding facility and daycare.
Causes
- Canine tracheobronchitis are bordatella , bronchiseptica bacteria, adenovirus 1 , parainfluenza virus, and mycoplasma.
- Dogs often develop clinical signs of kennel cough 3-4 days after exposure to a large number of other dogs
Symptoms
- A persistent cough
- Retching
- Watery nasal discharge
- In mild cases, dogs are often active and eating normally
- In severe cases, symptoms progress and can include pneumonia, inappetence, fever, lethargy and even death
Treatment
- Treatment depends on the severity of the infection.
- If your dog is alert, active, eating well, and has only minor symptoms, your veterinarian may only prescribe general supportive care like rest and good hydration and nutrition.
- More severely affected dogs benefit from medications that reduce inflammation and coughing.
DIAGNOSIS
- You will need to give a thorough history of your dog’s health and onset of clinical signs.
- Your veterinarian may order a combination of blood chemistry tests, a complete blood cell count, a urinalysis, fecal examinations, and chest X-rays.
LIVING AND MANAGEMENT
- Dogs with kennel cough should be isolated until they are better and no longer contagious.
- Dogs who are at high risk for infection (show dogs,daycare,boarding kennel) should be vaccinated against Bordetella bronchiseptica and canine parainfluenza virus.
- All dogs should be vaccinated against canine adenovirus.
4. Leptospirosis
- Leptospiros is a bacterial disease that can affect the liver and kidneys and is transmitted by contaminated water and urine
Symptoms
- Nausea/Vomiting,Fever,Lethargy
Treatment
- Antibiotics
Recovery Time
- Depending on the severity of the infection, the antibiotic course can last up to 4 weeks
Disclaimer: “This content is strictly informational/opinion of the author and owner is not claiming to be an expert in this topic”. Consult your Veterinary Professional for all medical advice and treatment.
