Is My Puppy Sick? How To Tell If It's An Emergency

It is heartbreaking whenever our pets get sick. After all, animals cannot verbally tell us what's wrong. As a pet owner myself, I have to trust my instincts and observations by paying close attention to my dogs whenever I feel that something is not right with them. So, how do we know if a puppy is not doing okay? Read more to find out.

According to AKC Pet Insurance, these are the few signs that can help breeders or new puppy owners discern the signs of illness in its early stages.

Your Puppy Has Diarrhea

Whenever puppies are brought into their new home, they need to adjust. However, when some puppies get stressed with the rehoming process, they get sick. Other things to consider are parasites or viral infections, congenital problems, foreign object ingestion, vitamin deficiencies, or toxins. If you suspect that your puppy has diarrhea because of nutritional lack, consider giving them a bland diet and refrain from providing treats. Please give them a fresh supply of water to prevent dehydration.

Symptoms of Diarrhea:

lethargy: very low energy, always sleeping
painful and bloated abdomen
bland diet is no longer working
vomitting with blood

Your Puppy Has Unusual Coat And Skin

Always check your puppy's physical condition daily. Look for possible wounds, ticks, fleas, and other pests on your puppy's body. As we all know, puppies are naturally playful and curious, so accidents may happen while playing with the litter. Puppy coats are shiny and with luster. Call your vet immediately if you notice that they lose the healthy-looking coat.

Your Puppy Is Lethargic

If your puppy lacks the energy to play and always prefers to sleep the whole day, then something must be wrong. Extremely low energy levels are not typical and must mean that underlying health issues need to be addressed.

Your Puppy Ate A Foreign Object

Puppies can shove anything on their mouths, as they are extremely curious creatures. They can chew on electric cables, eat poisonous drugs, chocolates, raisins, human meds, and any other object that may be detrimental to your puppy's health. If your puppy has ingested these, immediately bring them to the vet.

Your Puppy Is Rubbing Its Ears

Ear infection can be one of the causes why your puppy is sick. There may be ear mites if you observe them rubbing their ears or a foul odor coming out. This condition is manageable through a medicated ear cleaning solution prescribed by the vet.

Your Puppy Is Not Eating Well

Puppies are known to eat a lot. However, some factors can affect their appetite, such as going into a new home. But once they are settled down, they'll eventually go back to their regular eating habits. If your puppy seems not to eat well, consider bringing them to the vet.

In Conclusion...

These are but a few red flags to watch out for when taking care of your puppies. Prevention is better than cure, so it is always a good idea to do regular deworming, vaccination, and flea treatment on your pets. While you're at it, ask your vet to recommend a few diet options for your pets.