Because puppies’ immune systems are still developing, they’re susceptible to a variety of dangerous illnesses. The staff at Animal Care Center of Fairfield in Ohio advise familiarizing yourself with these. In doing so, you can identify symptoms and take pets to a veterinarian for treatment. 

3 Illnesses That Affect Puppies

1. Distemper

Distemper is one of the core vaccines your puppy needs to get. It’s a respiratory virus with no known cure, and it’s often mistaken for a common cold because of the side effects. If you notice your puppy has extensive discharge from its nose and eyes or is sneezing often, seek treatment from a veterinarian immediately.

2. Kennel Cough

Kennel cough isn’t exclusive to animals in kennels. This airborne bacterial infection is easy for puppies to pick up before their first six-week vaccination and will first appear as fatigue. Your dog will begin to have deep, constant coughs, and while it usually goes away after 10 days, it can lead to pneumonia when untreated. Keeping your puppy up to date on their vaccinations is the best way to prevent this.

3. Parvovirus

Parvovirus is an extremely contagious and dangerous canine condition. It begins with fever, followed by vomiting and bloody bowel movements that can cause dangerous levels of dehydration. Your puppy will be highly contagious and need to be quarantined in a hospital for treatment, which usually lasts several days. It can then be managed with medication from your veterinarian.

The best way to avoid these conditions is to start your puppy on the vaccination schedule their veterinarian recommends. If you’re ready to begin, turn to Animal Care Center of Fairfield. They offer a variety of veterinary services at their animal hospital, including their Healthy Pet Program, surgery, and animal boarding. They believe in building a relationship with each animal and will work closely with you to ensure you’re taking proper care of them. Call (513) 829-6621 today to schedule your puppy’s first exam and visit their website to explore their practice further. You can also connect with them on Facebook for pet care advice.