Why is my Puppy Sick? Top 8 Reasons Why Your Dog Is Ill

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Below we have listed the common reasons why puppies get sick. We highly suggest that you discuss each of these illnesses in a proactive manner with your vet because as they say an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

1) Intestinal Parasites

Symptoms:

  • Loose or Runny Stool 
  • Upset stomach

Overview

Intestinal parasites can be pretty common amongst puppies. Examples of these parasites include roundworms or hookworms. “Many puppies get them from their mother’s milk,” says Dr. Fahl, a veterinarian at Bond Vet in Brooklyn, NY.

Treatment

Your vet will provide an oral drug treatment plan for your pup. These drugs will paralyze the worms so that your puppy can then pass the parasites in their poop.

Prevention

To prevent them, provide monthly heartworm medications that also treat and control intestinal parasites.

2) Parvovirus

Symptoms

  • Bloody Diarrhea, 
  • Vomiting
  • Loss of Appetite

Overview

Parvovirus typically attacks puppies aged between 12 weeks and up to 3 years.  The virus is highly contagious and can be caught from direct or indirect contact with contaminated feces.

The virus is typically transmitted through bodily secretions and unvaccinated dogs. This means that canine parvovirus is easily passed on.

Treatment

Vaccination is key. If you haven’t, hospitalization is the best route, where your puppy will be given IV fluids and sometimes antibiotics to prevent sepsis (or the contamination of a living thing by bacteria), which can be fatal.

Prevention

Easily avoid parvovirus by getting your puppy vaccinated. Most dogs are vaccinated against parvovirus starting at six to eight weeks. This treatment continues every three weeks until they are four months old (this timeline might be altered a bit based on your veterinarian recommendation). 

One note, if your puppy’s mom has been vaccinated, she might pass on some of her protection against this disease to her pup through her milk.

3) Rabies

Symptoms

  • Fever
  • Pain
  • Tingling or burning at the wound
  • Hyperactivity

Overview

Caused by the rabies virus, rabies are spread by a bite or saliva from an infected animal. This is a highly serious illness. Rabies is fatal once an animal gets it and starts showing symptoms. Many cities, states, parks and groomers require dogs to have the rabies vaccine due to its severity and it can easily spread to humans,

Treatment

There is NO treatment for rabies. If your dog contracts it, it is fatal.

Prevention

While there is not treatment, rabies can be easily prevented with the rabies vaccine.

Dogs should be vaccinated for rabies when they are 14 weeks old, and again when they are 1 year old. After the 1 year mark, you dog should be re-vaccinated with the rabies vaccine should happen every one to three years (depending on your local regulation).

4) Coccidia

Symptoms

  • Bloody Stool 
  • Diarrhea
  • Dehydration.

Overview

Usually found in standing water, this parasite can infest your puppy’s gastrointestinal tract and the cells inside.

Treatment

The vet can offer a drug to kill the parasite.

Prevention

The vet can offer a drug to kill the parasite. Looking to avoid this illness altogether? Keep your puppy’s water and environment sanitary and squeaky clean

5) Canine Distemper

Symptoms

  • Runny nose
  • Loss of Appetite (Ranging from partially to Complete)

Overview

Your pup can get Canine Distemper from unvaccinated dogs and raccoons. It may seem like the human common cold; however, dogs don’t get colds so it is important that you see your vet immediately. Without treatment, this illness can cause nerve damage or weight loss.

Treatment

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, there’s no drug available to treat canine distemper, so comfort care is your best option. 

Provide your dog with a lot of fluids, warmth, and comfort. Additionally, you keep your sick dog away from healthy pups so that you can prevent your dog’s illness from being transferred.

Prevention

Again, vaccination is key. Talk to your vet for more details.

6) Heartworm Disease

Symptoms

  • Fatigue
  • Decrease in Appetite 
  • Weight Loss

Overview

Heartworm Disease is transferred from pup to pup through mosquitoes. If a mosquito bites a dog with heartworm, it can pass the worm on to your pet if the mosquito then bites your dog. It takes up to six or seven months, from the first bit, before your puppy shows any signs of illness.

Heartworms are serious and the disease is potentially deadly for your pup. Additionally, the disease can cause lung disease and heart failure in your dog.

Treatment

If you see symptoms, get your dog to the vet as soon as possible. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), your vet will determine the best form of treatment (most likely medication to kill the heartworms). Your pet’s doctor might also recommend potential hospitalization (if your dog is in the advanced stages) and exercise restriction.

Prevention

Again prevention is key. Ask your vet to prescribe a monthly heartworm preventative pill.

7) Kennel Cough

Symptoms

  • Persistent dry, honking cough.
  • Bronchitis (this is the closest your puppy will get to mimicking the human common cold) 
  • More likely to occur with puppies 

Overview

Dogs can develop “Kennel Cough” from anywhere, not just in kennels. The good news is that kennel cough tends not to be that serious. However, some dogs can become seriously ill from kennel cough (especially puppies, old dogs, or immunocompromised dogs). That being said, whenever your dog coughs, we recommend that you should visit your vet.

Treatment

See your veterinarian for an antibiotic, offer supportive care (no stress or junk food for your little guy!) 

Keep your pup away from its puppy friends.

Prevention

See your vet for a vaccination.

8) Hypoglycemia

Symptoms

  • Lethargy
  • Possible seizures
  • Common with small dogs

Overview

Just like humans, small dogs can end up with low blood sugar if they don’t eat enough.

Treatment

When caring for your suffering dog, offer a proper diet and possibly diabetes medication provided by a vet.

Prevention

Monitor your puppy’s eating habits, especially while she’s young enough to prevent it.

To prevent your puppy from coming down with these illnesses, make sure to give them the proper care when they are young.  Please see our First 30 Days guide to learn about how you get your puppy off to a great start when you first bring your new dog home.

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