When
families bring home new puppies, family members often can't wait to
focus on snuggling, training, and introducing the new pet to family
and friends. You can find plenty of joy in puppy ownership, but as a
new puppy owner, you must also focus on protecting your puppy from
illness and injury.
Since
they are still learning about the world and developing their immune
systems, puppies are at risk for many illnesses and ailments, such as
parasites or broken limbs. Most conditions are quite treatable, but
two diseases, in particular, are often deadly in puppies — diseases
that you should, therefore, be highly aware of as a puppy owner.
1.
Canine Parvovirus
Canine
parvovirus, which is often known as parvo, is a highly contagious
virus that can affect dogs of all ages. However, since dogs are
typically vaccinated for parvo, most cases are seen in young puppies
who have not yet had their full series of parvo vaccines and whose
immune systems are not yet strong enough to fight off the virus.
What
Symptoms Does Parvo Cause?
Parvo
primarily attacks the puppy's digestive tract. It causes severe,
bloody diarrhea and vomiting. The puppy soon loses its appetite,
which leads to sudden weight loss. Puppies with parvo tend to be
lethargic, and this symptom comes on suddenly. They go from running
around and playing to doing nothing but sleeping.
How
Do Puppies Get Parvo?
The
virus that causes parvo is from the stool of infected dogs. It can
then live in the environment for several months. So while some
puppies get parvo after encountering a dog that is ill or carrying
the virus, many catch it after being in a space that an infected dog
visited in the past.
Puppies
may catch parvo after spending time in a kennel, from a used dog toy,
or even from sniffing the ground where an infected dog defecated
several months ago.
How
Can You Protect Your Puppy From Parvo?
Since
this virus lives in the environment for so long, the best way to
protect your puppy is to keep him or her in spaces you know are clean
and sanitary. Avoid dog parks and kennels until your puppy is fully
vaccinated. Do not let your puppy interact with other dogs unless you
know that those dogs have been vaccinated for parvo.
Your
puppy should have his or her first parvo vaccine at six weeks of age.
They should then have two follow-up vaccines after 10 weeks of age.
Limit exposure to other dogs and environmental hazards until your
puppy has had its third vaccine.
How
Do You Treat Parvo?
No
cure for parvo exists, and sadly, many puppies die from the disease.
The best way to improve your puppy's chance of survival is to seek
emergency veterinary care as soon as you notice symptoms that could
indicate parvo.
Your
vet can administer IV fluids to prevent dehydration, give drugs to
reduce vomiting, and administer nutrition therapy to keep your
puppy's protein levels up. Often, if a puppy makes it three or four
days after the onset of symptoms, they can be expected to make a full
recovery.
2.
Canine Distemper
Another
contagious disease called canine distemper is from a paramyxovirus
related to the virus that causes measles in humans. All dogs are at
risk, but most cases are from puppies under four months of age.
What
Symptoms Does Distemper Cause?
Distemper
usually begins as a respiratory illness. The virus later moves in the
lymphatic system and causes neurological and digestive symptoms. In
many puppies, the first symptoms of distemper are fever, nasal
discharge, coughing, and a lack of energy. Soon after, your puppy may
develop diarrhea, vomiting, and anorexia, followed by nervous
system-related symptoms like seizures and paralysis.
How
Do Puppies Get Distemper?
Some
puppies are born with distemper; it can cross the placenta if the
mother carries the virus. The virus is shed whenever an infected dog
coughs, sneezes, or barks. Your puppy can, therefore, contract the
disease if he or she encounters an infected dog, shares a bowl with
an infected dog, or is even near an infected dog when it sneezes.
Raccoons,
foxes, skunks, coyotes, and other wild animals may also carry
distemper, so your puppy could pick the disease up after spending
time outdoors.
How
Can You Protect Your Puppy From Distemper?
The
best way to protect your puppy from distemper is to limit
socialization with other dogs until he or she is fully vaccinated.
Keep your puppy indoors and away from any wildlife as much as
possible. Your puppy should have his or her first distemper vaccine
at six to eight weeks and a second one after nine weeks.
How
Do You Treat Distemper?
As
with parvo, the sooner you get your puppy to the vet, the better.
Your vet can administer IV fluids and medications to manage the
potentially deadly digestive and neurological symptoms. Some puppy
owners put off treatment because they figure their puppy just has a
cold, but waiting for treatment could prove fatal.
Parvo
and distemper are scary diseases, but you and your vet can do plenty
to protect your puppy. Contact South
Seattle Veterinary Hospital
for
prompt care if you suspect your puppy may suffer from either of these
diseases.
