What To Do If Your Puppy Is Sick: A Comprehensive Guide
This article is written by Pet Circle veterinarian,
Bringing a new puppy into your home is an exhilarating experience, filled with joy and anticipation. However, just like human infants, puppies are more vulnerable to certain illnesses due to their developing immune systems. As a responsible pet owner, it's crucial to be vigilant and knowledgeable about the signs of illness in puppies and how to respond promptly.
In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the common signs of a sick puppy, identify common puppy illnesses, discuss what actions to take, and delve into preventive measures to safeguard your furry friend's health. From recognizing subtle behavioural changes to understanding the importance of vaccinations and parasite prevention, we aim to equip you with the necessary information to ensure your puppy's well-being.
Let's navigate through the steps of caring for a sick puppy. Remember that seeking professional veterinary care and maintaining a calm, supportive environment during these challenging moments is a must!
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Recognising the Signs of Illness
Recognising Signs of Illness
It’s all fun and games when there's a puppy around the house, but it's important to know what signs to look out for when they might be unwell. They can be very subtle - to overtly obvious.
- Lethargy
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea and Vomiting Diarrhoea (especially if with blood of mucous)
- Excessive Panting
- Whimpering Limping/Lameness
- Sudden Aggression
- Excessive Licking or Scratching
If you notice any of the above signs, contact your local vet. Make a note of how long your puppy has been showing signs. If your puppy is displaying abnormal behaviours - recording a video can be handy to show your vet. Photos of vomitus or diarrhoea can also be helpful.
- Is your pup's demeanour bright and alert?
- What is your pup's normal appetite?
- Run your hands through their coat, and check for any scratches, lumps, bumps or parasites.
- Are their eyes bright and clear of any discharge, are they squinting or pawing at them?
- Are they head shaking or scratching excessively at their ears?
- Are there any discharge or abnormal odours from their ears? Are they limping or lame?
Being vigilant at home is key, as puppies cannot always effectively communicate when something is wrong. Check out our New Puppy Guide for everything you need to know from A to Z when it comes to caring for your puppy.
Common Puppy Illnesses
Vomiting and Diarrhoea
This is a common concern for new puppy owners. Vomiting and diarrhoea are not necessarily illnesses but rather a sign of one. More often than not they can be triggered by eating something they shouldn’t have, a possible foreign body, a sudden change in diet, bacterial and/or viral infections, stress or intestinal parasites.
As puppies can become dehydrated quite rapidly, its important to have them checked by a vet as soon as possible. Do not force feed or syringe feed your puppy if they are vomiting, nauseous, or not eating, without proper guidance. Check out our guide to Vomiting and Diarrhoea to find out more.
Parvovirus
Despite a vaccine being readily available, parvovirus is still prevalent in Australia. Parvovirus is a highly infectious virus that can cause severe bloody diarrhoea, vomiting, dehydration and nausea in puppies and dogs. It can survive for long periods in the environment and in severe cases cause death. Mortality rates can be high than 50% if left untreated. This is why it is essential to seek veterinary assistance if your puppy is unwell and displaying any signs of inappetance, vomiting and/or diarrhoea. Read more about Parvovirus.
Your puppy must be kept up to date with their vaccinations. High risk areas such as dog parks and public parks should be avoided until they have finished their course. Vaccinations generally are administered every 4 weeks for three shots from 6-8 weeks of age i.e. 6-8 weeks, 10-12 weeks and then 14-16 weeks. Puppies are routinely vaccinated against Parvovirus, Adenovirus, Distemper and Kennel Cough (and depending on your location Leptospirosis). Vaccines can take up to two weeks to have their full effect, so be mindful of this even after their final puppy vaccine.
Read more in our Essential Guide to Puppy Vaccination Schedules.
Kennel Cough
Kennel Cough can cause a characteristic dry, honking like cough and general lethargy. It encompasses several highly infectious viruses and bacteria that cause inflammation and infection within the respiratory system. Contrary to its name it can be spread from dog to dog in any setting - especially in places where they are kept in close proximity - such as dog parks! Although it can be tempting to socialise your puppy at the dog park - they aren’t always the best idea from both a health and behavioural point of view. For more information, take a read through When Can Puppies Go for a Walk Outside and Are Dog Parks Good for Dogs?.
Symptoms can occur within 2-10 days following exposure. The easiest way to protect your puppy against Kennel Cough is to have them vaccinated and to avoid doggy social gatherings until they have completed their course. If your pup develops an unusual cough - have them seen by your veterinarian. You may wish to use a harness rather than a collar when they are coughing to reduce strain on their airways. Keep your puppy isolated if they show any signs of Kennel Cough to reduce the spreading of disease.
Hypoglycaemia
Puppies are particularly prone to hypoglycaemia or low blood sugar levels - as they lack energy stores to maintain and regulate their glucose levels during periods of stress, inappetence and illness. Small and toy breed dogs like Chihuahuas - which have very high metabolism are particularly susceptible to hypoglycemia.
Signs can include weakness, lethargy, appetite loss, abnormal mentation, twitching or tremors and in severe cases seizures or coma. Early intervention and detection is key to long term survival- hypoglycaemic puppies must be seen by a veterinarian. Emergency treatment can be started at home - by rubbing small amounts of glucose or corn syrup onto the gums.
Do not attempt to force-feed your puppy as you can risk aspiration and obstruction.
Parasites
Due to their underdeveloped immune system, puppies are particularly prone to both internal and external parasites. Common internal parasites include roundworm, hookworm and tapeworm, whereas common external parasites include fleas, ticks, mange and demodex. These can cause a variety of clinical signs including vomiting, diarrhoea, itching, scratching, hair loss and a failure to thrive or grow. Internal parasites in particular can be acquired from as early as in the womb, from their mothers milk and even from ingesting eggs in their environment. It is essential to have your puppy up to date with their parasite preventatives.
Puppies should be wormed every two weeks from 2 weeks of age until they are 12 weeks old, then monthly until 6 months of age. From 6 months and onwards they can be wormed every 3 months (if you are using a heartworm injection) OR once a month when combined with a monthly heartworm, flea and tick product.
If you notice worms in your pup's poop after administering a preventative - make sure to take a photo to show your vet and have your pup checked at the vet. Depending on the worm may need a slightly altered worming schedule for a short period of time as well as environmental decontamination.
Wrapping your head around Parasite Prevention can be a doozy- so check out our Guide to Worms and Guide to Fleas and Ticks in Dogs! Don't forget to also read our article on How Often Should I Worm My Puppy?
Shop All Parasite Prevention Now
Visit Your Vet Immediately
It is essential not to delay seeking veterinary care for your puppy. Veterinarians can examine, diagnose, and provide appropriate triage and treatment plans for your puppy. In an emergency it's easy to panic - but make sure to take a big breath and focus on the essentials. Make sure you have an appropriate dog carrier to transport your puppy in.
Your veterinarian will be able to guide you through the process and discuss all the options for your puppy. Remember to be kind to your veterinarians, even when stressed, a little kindness can go a long way. With the additional pressures on the industry due to a shortage of veterinarians and an increased demand for veterinary services - many clinics are booked out well in advance.
Make sure to have a list of clinics and their contact details on hand. Knowing where your closest Veterinary Emergency Centres are - is also important - especially for those out-of-hours situations.
Get a Professional Diagnosis and Treatment Plan
With the internet at our fingertips, it can be tempting to go down the rabbit hole that is Dr. Google. Asking for advice online can help provide reassurance, especially in times of stress. What is important to remember is that consulting a vet who can physically examine your pet, assess their health, and provide their expert opinion on treatment options is always the way to go.
Early intervention and appropriate professional care greatly contribute to a puppy’s recovery. At-home or over-the-counter remedies can delay essential treatment and in some instances worsen the prognosis. If finances are a concern, some clinics offer buy now pay later services such as payment plans through third-party companies.
Caring For a Sick Puppy
It can be quite distressing when your puppy is unwell. It is important to note that even after a vet visit, your puppy may take some time to improve. Patience and dedication are key! Puppies are a long-term commitment even more so when they are unwell - being understanding about what they can and can’t feasibly do during this time is a must.
Know What's Normal
Knowing whats normal behaviour for your puppy and what their personality is like can help you identify alterations in appetite, mood and energy levels - all of which can assist in your vet making a diagnosis.
Create an Area to Rest
Make sure to provide an area where your puppy can rest easily - away from too much noise and distractions. Much like a little den - a dog crate can be a great place for them to recuperate.
Bland Diet
Bland diets are sometimes all a dog can stomach when they are sick. Boiled chicken (without the skin) or tuna in springwater with rice made into a porridge can help keep their energy levels up and well hydrated. Do not force-feed or syringe feed your puppy as they may aspirate or vomit. If they are unable to keep food or water down without vomiting - this requires an immediate vet visit.
If you have a newborn puppy - check out our guide to caring for a newborn puppy for more information.
Maintain a Calm Environment
It can be easy to spiral when your puppy is unwell. Remember to take a moment to collect yourself, breathe and come up with a game plan. Being anxious can sometimes also stress your puppy out more. So remaining calm will also benefit them.
Being calm also extends to your pup. Avoid outings, playdates, or puppy school until your puppy is feeling better. Ensure they are kept in a nice quiet place so that they can recuperate.
After you’ve had a breather its important to get started on your game plan!
- Record what abnormal signs your puppy is showing and when they started.
- Ask yourself are they still eating and drinking normally? What is their demeanour?
- Call your local veterinarian or emergency centre to book an appointment
- Monitor your puppy closely, keep them in a warm and calm environment. If they aren’t eating as much offer bland foods in small amounts.
Check out our handy Pet First Aid Tips Guide for more information!
Preventative Measures
Many common debilitating diseases that puppies can acquire are easily preventable with appropriate vaccinations and parasite prevention. Puppies usually have at least one vaccination prior to being rehomed. Make sure to double-check when their next vaccine is due and book an appointment with your vet. Some clinics offer puppy health checks as well - and these are a great way to make sure you’re on the right track.
As mentioned before puppies should be wormed every two weeks until they are 12 weeks of age. Flea and Tick Prevention can be started from 6-8 weeks of age. Reweigh your puppy before each dose, as they may outgrow the pack you have at home. Make sure to double-check when their next flea, tick and wormer is due and put a reminder in your calendar or diary.
Here at Pet Circle you can select for Auto Delivery so that you never run short of the essentials! We also have an extensive Guide to Puppy Care and can also provide tailored Vet Pet Plans or Live Chat. You can discover more here about our free Vet advice and Vet Squad.
Further Reading
Want to read more? Check out our other articles:
Common Mistakes Puppy Owners Make
What is the Best Flea & Tick Treatment?
Want to know more? Check out our Discover Page for more tips on keeping your pets happy and healthy.