Puppy health is a major concern for most new pet owners. This is because they are not used to seeing anything but the standard symptoms of illness in their pets. Some of the usual indicators can be seen in adult dogs, but puppies seem to be more sensitive. Below you will find some common symptoms that you should be on the look out for.
A common puppy health problem is vomiting. It is not as common in puppies as it is in adult dogs but it is very uncomfortable for both the owner and the pup. If vomiting does occur, take your little one to his vet right away. Vomiting in a puppy is usually caused by some form of digestive issue. If the vomit is accompanied by blood in it or if the vomit seems to have no apparent cause, it is advisable to bring your pup to the vet right away.
Another symptom is diarrhea, which is often mistaken for food poisoning. However, diarrhea is a symptom of something much more serious such as a viral or bacterial infection or even highly contagious by humans. To avoid misdiagnosing your puppy’s diarrhea, have him checked out by a vet. If your puppy has diarrhea accompanied by blood in it, he probably has parvovirus. This is one of the most dangerous viruses around and needs to be treated immediately.
It is important for puppy health conditions to be monitored regularly and taken care of immediately by the owner and the veterinarian. As most symptoms are easily treated, you can see your vet and have your puppy back to normal in no time at all. Some symptoms that are easier to spot include severe ear infections, mouth sores, respiratory infections and eye infections.
For those puppies that do experience parvovirus symptoms, there are a few things that can help to alleviate the vomiting. If your puppy is vomiting and has blood in his stool, take him to the vet right away. Your vet will want to take a stool sample and study it under the microscope to look for any infections or anything else that could have caused the vomiting. Treating the gastric fluids and the vomit are the first steps towards recovery. Antibiotics will also be prescribed.
Puppy health problems are very common in dogs. Most of these problems are preventable with proper diet and health care. However, when they do occur, it is important to recognize the symptoms early. Not only will this save you money, it may prevent other issues. By avoiding parvovirus and other puppy health problems, you will be providing your dog with a happy and healthy life. Your family will be even happier because they will not have to deal with the expensive vet bills.