Identifying Puppy Illness Signs: Quick Tips for Pet Par

Threatening Canine Diseases Affecting Puppies:

Canine Distemper (CDV) — A highly contagious and deadly disease. Unvaccinated dogs have a 100% infection rate upon contact with the canine distemper virus, and the mortality rate after infection is between 5080%. This disease is highly infectious, rapidly progressing, and has a high mortality rate, earning it the ominous of "devastating epidemic." CDV can infect canids, mustelids, and procyonids, but it does not affect humans.

Parvovirus Infection (CPV) — Caused by parvovirus, this is the second most threatening disease for puppies. It predominantly affects young dogs and has slightly lower infection and mortality rates compared to canine distemper.

Coronavirus Infection (CCV) — Caused by coronaviruses, this disease can affect dogs, minks, and foxes, among other canids. It can infect dogs of all breeds, genders, and ages, but young dogs are most susceptible. The number of cases is lower than those of canine distemper and parvovirus, but it should not be overlooked.

The treatment for canine distemper and parvovirus is not inexpensive; daily intravenous fluid costs can exceed 200 dollars, and it typically requires a week or more, sometimes even longer. The cure rates are also not promising. The cure rate for parvovirus is 50%, and for canine distemper, it's 30%. The purity of the breed affects the cure rate, with purebreds having a lower chance of recovery, and mixed breeds like Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers having lower cure rates. The best way to improve the cure rate is to detect and treat the disease early, before the virus has invaded the heart, nerves, or caused severe bloody diarrhea.

Signs of Illness to Watch Out For:

Increased eye discharge (eye boogers, tears) in dogs

Sneezing in dogs (similar to human sneezing, sometimes accompanied by head shaking)

Coughing (at times resembling vomiting)

Loss of appetite (dogs show no interest in food even when hungry)

Dry nose tip

Lethargy and reluctance to move (could also be symptoms of hypoglycemia in puppies)

Vomiting

Diarrhea (very important! Sometimes, loose stools can be related to overfeeding of dairy products and meats)

What to Do When You Notice a Problem:

Under the circumstances, if you notice any abnormalities, it's advisable to take your dog to a veterinary hospital for a checkup.

If you're busy and your dog only shows slight abnormalities but is eating and in good spirits, you can closely monitor them for 12 days. If the situation worsens, it's recommended to seek veterinary care.