There are a variety of harmful and potentially fatal illnesses that can affect newborn puppies. These include parvovirus, distemper, adenovirus, kennel cough (or canine tracheobronchitis), and leptospirosis fever.
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Parvovirus is a highly contagious illness transmitted by unvaccinated dogs through bodily secretions, which attacks puppies anywhere from 12 weeks old up to three years of age.
Canine distemper is also caused by a highly contagious virus called paramyxovirus seen in dogs all over the world. On the other hand, kennel cough is a contagious respiratory disease, while leptospirosis in dogs is an infectious disease caused by spiral-shaped bacteria. So, how do you know if your newborn puppies have health problems?
In this article, you’ll learn some effective ways to spot health problems in newborn puppies so that you can be guided accordingly.
1. Observe
The first thing you need to do when you monitor your newborn puppies is to be keen on observing their current condition. This way, you can catch early signs and symptoms and carry out an appropriate intervention.
Viruses in dogs cause almost similar signs and symptoms, such as loss of appetite, vomiting, weakness, or inactivity. Carefully assess the changes in behavior or try to observe any unusual activity.
You can read articles discussing assessment measures for specific diseases in dogs to guide you on the warning signs to look for, especially for sick puppies. If you’re unsure of what to do, you may check out sites like Petculture.com.au and chat directly with a vet so you can have answers to your questions and concerns.
Check out the following manifestations that would strongly indicate a sick puppy:
- Diarrhea: Persistent diarrhea or constipation that lasts over 48 hours, or changes in stool, like the presence of mucus, prompts urgent veterinary attention.
- Loss Of Appetite: Refusal to eat for more than 24 hours can be a sign of sickness in puppies. Dogs may have irregular eating patterns at times, but refusing to eat for a day or so isn’t good.
- Repeated Signs: Repeated vomiting, sneezing, coughing, or gagging isn’t a good sign. Persistent sickness is a concern for puppies. Vomiting can be an indication of an allergy or a more severe infection.
- Other Signs And Symptoms: Excessive thirst, excessive or difficulty in urination, runny eyes or nose, and red or swollen gums are also manifestations of sickness in puppies.
2. Offer Food
You can judge a dog by their appetite. Dogs love to eat, and offering food is one way to determine if your dog is sick. A puppy can quickly become gravely ill without proper nourishment and hydration. Hence, taking care of your puppy should include observing their eating behavior.
Give your puppy’s favorite treat, and, then, observe. Make sure to do this several hours after the last meal to ensure your puppy’s appetite is ready. Does your puppy eat the treat? Or, is your dog reluctant and won’t even dare to lick the treat at all? If your puppy shows decreased appetite, it’s often a sign of illness, especially if other signs and symptoms are present at the same time.
While loss of appetite alone in dogs doesn’t mean a serious disease, it pays off seeking veterinary attention to rule out other problems why your puppy isn’t eating. A sudden loss of appetite lasting longer than a meal or two would require veterinary attention. It’s a good thing that vets online chats are now available, making consultations with an expert easier than ever.
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3. Consult A Vet
A dog showing early signs of parvovirus, such as profuse, bloody diarrhea, loss of appetite, vomiting, lethargy, weakness, dehydration, collapse, weakness, and abdominal pain, must be brought to the veterinary clinic immediately. Your puppy would need prompt medical intervention to address dehydration.
If you think the condition of your dog isn’t serious enough, you can try to remotely consult an expert through a vet chat to raise your concern. There are many veterinary clinics offering vet chat services on social media and through chat apps. This way, you save yourself time from traveling to the clinic just to ask some questions. Your vet can assess your dog’s condition through video conferencing, or you can simply send some photos of your canine companion.
Because you love your pet so dearly, you only want to provide them with the best healthcare. So, you can talk about getting medical insurance for your pooch with your vet as early as possible. Your vet can refer you to reputable insurance companies.
Conclusion
There are many ways to spot health problems in newborn puppies, as discussed in this article. Be observant and watch out for early manifestations of viral diseases and other common health problems in puppies. It also pays off consulting an experienced veterinarian right away if you suspect any problem in your baby pooch.
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