Bringing home a new puppy is an exciting and joyful event. Unfortunately, young dogs are prone to a number of illnesses that have the potential to quickly turn life-threatening. Despite your best efforts to keep your pet healthy, some problems can still arise due to genetics or an immature immune system. Early detection and veterinary care are key to helping them get better. This is why it’s important to be able to identify the signs and symptoms of certain conditions that commonly occur in puppies. Here are a few common health issues you should know. 

What Are Some Common Puppy Illnesses?

1. Kennel Cough 

Despite the name, puppies can get kennel cough without staying in a kennel. This is an infectious disease that causes respiratory problems, and it’s highly contagious. A vaccine is available to help lower the chance of a severe infection, but there’s still a risk of your pet catching it if exposed to the virus. When left untreated, it can turn into pneumonia. Symptoms generally include fever, lack of energy, reduced appetite, and coughing. 

2. Parvovirus 

Typically, parvovirus affects puppies six weeks to six months old, but they can contract it beyond that, especially if they haven’t received all of their vaccinations. The disease is easily spread through the stool of another infected dog, and any surfaces the virus has touched. It can cause vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, dehydration, lethargy, weakness, and trouble sleeping. Veterinary care is required as soon as possible to prevent sepsis, intestinal problems, and cardiac arrest.

3. Distemper

Another condition that attacks young puppies is distemper. It’s contracted through direct and indirect exposure to the virus and usually develops as a respiratory issue first before moving into the neurological system. Cold and flu-like symptoms are common, as well as fever, eye discharge, loss of appetite, and trouble breathing. Without proper treatment, it can eventually lead to pneumonia and brain damage.

4. Vomiting & Diarrhea 

Puppies frequently experience vomiting and diarrhea since it’s in their nature to eat, lick, and chew almost any object in sight. However, this shouldn’t automatically be overlooked since it can also indicate something more serious, such as intestinal parasites. It’s important to monitor how long it lasts and watch for other symptoms like fever, dehydration, excessive panting, lethargy, and blood in the stool. If the vomiting persists for more than 12 hours or diarrhea continues past 24 hours, you should seek veterinary care.

If you have any concerns about your puppy’s health, don’t hesitate to contact Elyria Animal Hospital in Lorain County, OH. They’ll carefully evaluate your pet’s condition and perform the necessary tests to provide you with an accurate diagnosis and customized treatment plan. Backed by decades of combined experience, their staff is dedicated to delivering a high standard of veterinary care and are qualified to offer a variety of advanced medical procedures. Call (440) 365-3818 to schedule an appointment, or visit them online to learn more about their services.