Puppy Health Problems - Facts

1.     Problem Definition:

Puppies are susceptible to health issues than adult dogs because of their sensitivity and still weak constitutions. Unless a puppy is vaccinated against most likely diseases, he can be infected with any of the following: canine distemper, leptospirosis, kennel cough, hepatitis, rabies, parvovirus, corona virus and Lyme.

2.     Symptoms:

The following will help in identifying symptoms of many puppy diseases:

1.      Canine distemper: Discharge from nose and eyes, fever, loss of appetite, fever, diarrhea, vomiting, and pneumonia.

2.      Leptospirosis: Vomiting, dehydration, sudden fever, possible renal failure, dark color urine.

3.      Kennel Cough: Dry cough and in extreme cases, fever and loss of appetite.

4.      Hepatitis: Vomiting, lack of appetite, too much thirst, diarrhea and liver or kidney failure.

5.      Rabies: Animal goes through three phases -- prodromal, furious, paralytic -- involves licking of bite wound, loss of appetite, fever, sporadic aggression, restlessness, seizures, hyperactivity, disorientation, excess drooling, choking, inability to eat and eventual death.

6.      Parvovirus: Bloody diarrhea, dehydration, vomiting, loss appetite and fever

7.      Corona virus: Diarrhea and dehydration. Very similar to parvovirus and only medical tests can distinguish.

8.      Lyme: Lethargy, joint pains, swelling of joints, lameness, loss of appetite and high fever.

3.     Duration of Problem:

The duration of the problem varies from disease to disease.

4.     Exposure:

1.      Canine distemper: Airborne viral infection that infects when inhaled.

2.      Leptospirosis: Bacterial infection spread through animal discharge/wastes, bite wounds. Contagious to humans, cows, rats, pigs, horses, sheep and rabbits too.

3.      Kennel cough: Spreads through contact with infected dogs especially in kennels.

4.      Hepatitis: Through infected body fluids and bite wounds

5.      Rabies: Spreads through bite wounds mostly. Contagious to humans.

6.      Parvovirus: Most common disease in the country. Spreads through infected animal or its accessories, clothes, kennels, etc. Mortality rate is high.

7.      Corona virus: Contact with infected animal.

8.      Lyme: Bacterial infection that spreads through carrier tick when it attaches itself to the host.

Puppy Health Problems - Prevention & Treatment

1.     The Treatment:

Canine Distemper: No cure.

1.      Leptospirosis: Quarantine, antibiotics, fluids replenishment.

2.      Kennel Cough: Use of various antibiotics.

3.      Rabies: No cure.

4.      Parvovirus: No direct cure except supplementary support like fluid replacement.

5.      Corona virus: No treatment.

6.      Lyme: Use of antibiotics.

2.     Prevention:

Vaccinations against the following should be done: canine distemper, leptospirosis, par influenza, hepatitis, rabies, corona virus, lyme and bordetella. The vaccinations are not one time and must be followed by boost shots. Consult your vet for further advice.

3.     Precautions:

Vaccination alone will not make your dog immune. Keep your pup away from garbage, infected dogs and wild or stray animals of all sorts.

4.     Helpful Supplies:

Healthy nutritional supplements are very useful.

Puppy Health Problems - Concerns

5.     Level of Seriousness:

Most of the diseases are very serious and most lead to death if neglected. In most cases vaccination is the only way to prevent death.

6.     Lasting Consequences:

Pups surviving Canine Distemper will display severe enamel damage and develop thick foot pads.

7.     Genetics:

All pups are equally susceptible for all of these diseases.

8.     Lifestyle Accommodations:

Many diseases would end in the death of the pup if proper vaccination is not given. So in most cases of neglect, you really may not have the time even to get adjusted to living with a new pup.

9.     Expense:

Vaccinations are inexpensive and obligatory. Onslaught of any disease is extremely costly and most of the times the cost is in vain.