Seeing a puppy in pain is one of the most heartbreaking sights in the world! No dog lover can bear to see their furry friend suffer due to health complications. However, there are a few cases where health complications are inevitable. Even a fully healthy pooch can encounter certain dog health issues. As a responsible pet parent, you should be mindful of the symptoms and seek medical help whenever needed.

For tackling and preventing puppy diseases, you should be aware of them. Here are some of the most common health issues a puppy can encounter and effective ways of preventing them:

Parvovirus

Also known as Parvo, Parvovirus is a serious viral infection any dog breed can encounter. Furry friends often fall prey to it when they are young puppies. Parvo is a contagious condition that can be identified from symptoms like severe vomiting lethargy, diarrhea, fever, loss of appetite, and more.

To prevent this puppy health issue, ensure that you vaccinate your furry friend starting at the age of six to eight weeks. Also, give it follow-up booster shots to keep it healthy. Until your furry friend is fully vaccinated, keep it away from areas with high dog traffic.

Distemper

Distemper is another serious viral condition that hampers a puppy’s gastrointestinal, nervous, and respiratory systems. Common symptoms of this complication include eye discharge, fever, nasal discharge, lethargy, coughing, diarrhea, paralysis, seizures, and more. It is important to control these symptoms and follow the right preventive measures to keep your pup healthy.

To prevent distemper-related complications, start vaccinating your puppy by the time it is eight weeks old. If its vet recommends booster shots, give your pet the same. Moreover, ensure that your pooch avoids contact with other dogs.

Kennel Cough

Kennel cough, also known as Bordetella, is a respiratory condition that affects puppies of all breeds. Some of its most common symptoms include persistent cough, sneezing, lethargy, runny nose, appetite loss, and more.

You can prevent kennel cough from harming your pup’s health by vaccinating your furry friend against Bordetella. Until it is completely vaccinated, do not take your puppy to an area that has heavy dog traffic.

Worm Contamination

Worms like hookworms, roundworms, whipworms, and tapeworms can hamper your puppy’s well-being. Most furry friends suffer from health complications caused by intestinal parasites, leading to vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, and other health issues.

To prevent your furry friend from such infestations, deworm it according to a trusted vet’s schedule. Typically, a puppy should be dewormed at the age of two to three weeks. Moreover, give your pooch a clean and hygienic area to live throughout its life. It is also important to keep your pet free from flea infestations as they often carry tapeworms.

Ear Infections

Especially if your dog has droopy ears, you should be careful about ear infections. If your puppy suffers from such infections, you may see it scratching its ears incessantly. Other common symptoms include head shaking, foul odor, ear discharge, and more.

The best way to keep your puppy safe from ear infections is by cleaning its ears regularly. Keep its ears dry and clean throughout its life. Also, check your furry friend’s ears regularly for visible signs of ear infection. Contact your pet’s vet as soon as you find something amiss.

Dental Complications

Puppies can also encounter dental issues due to multiple factors, such as retained baby teeth, gum infections, and more. Unchecked dental complications can lead to serious health complications.

You can easily prevent such issues by brushing your puppy’s teeth regularly with puppy-safe toothpaste. Start your pet’s dental care as soon as you bring it home. You can also keep its teeth clean by giving it the right chew toys. Do not go for too long without going for your furry friend’s dental checkups.

Low Blood Sugar

Hypoglycemia is another common health complication found in puppies. Small dog breeds often fall prey to this condition, especially if they do not eat well. Low blood sugar in your pup can make it weak and lethargic. You may also notice seizures, tremors, and uncoordinated movement.

To prevent complications related to hypoglycemia, you should feed your puppy small but frequent portions. Give only high-quality kibble to your furry friend in a way that receives a balanced diet. If you notice any of the symptoms we just mentioned, contact a vet without any delay.

Vaccine Reactions

A few puppies may also develop mild reactions to the vaccines they receive. Such health issues manifest themselves with symptoms like reduced appetite, lethargy, swelling at the site of injection, mild fever, etc.

While there is no definite way to prevent such dog health issues, you can always monitor your puppy (especially the injection site) after it gets vaccinated. If you see any allergic reactions shortly after vaccination, reach out to the vet at once.

Gastrointestinal Issues

Typically, puppies suffering from infections or dietary indiscretions can develop gastrointestinal complications. These issues lead to vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, abdominal pain, and other related symptoms.

To keep your little companion safe, feed it healthy kibble and a balanced diet. Never feed your table scraps (leftovers). If you want to feed your pooch home-cooked food, cook it, especially for your furry friend. It is also important for pet parents to make sudden changes in their pets’ diet.

Receive Personalized Health Advice While Purchasing Healthy Puppies From Premium Pet House

Premium Pet House helps you buy healthy and adorable puppies belonging to all major breeds. We are a team of experienced and skilled dog breeders working in the industry for over two decades. Along with selling you puppies, our breeders also provide you with valuable health advice for your pooch. We will inform you about breed-specific health complications associated with the pup you purchase. If needed, we will also connect you to the most trusted vet in your city or town. At Premium Pet House, it is our responsibility to make your buying journey seamless and convenient.