Having a puppy is a huge responsibility, and for many pet owners, it can be a new experience.

The puppy is small and vulnerable. You know that it is up to you to ensure that he is safe and happy. You want to do everything you can to protect him.

Apart from feeding him a healthy and balanced diet, you need to ensure that you take him to the vet. This will help keep him free from disease. It is vital to find out the diseases that your new puppy is susceptible to.

Vomiting and Diarrhea

Many puppies suffer from vomiting and diarrhea at some point. If your new puppy has these symptoms, the first step is to rule out intestinal parasites. If parasites are not present, your puppy may have eaten something that did not agree with them.

Make sure that your puppy drinks plenty of water to remain hydrated. If diarrhea and vomiting continue for more than 12 hours, take your puppy to the vet. The vet can prescribe a therapeutic diet to help the puppy.

Parvovirus (Parvo)

Parvovirus is a highly contagious disease that usually affects puppies between 12 weeks to three years. Canine parvovirus gets to unvaccinated dogs through body secretions. Pet owners mostly vaccinate their pets against parvovirus from around six to eight weeks.

After the initial vaccination, they receive other vaccines every three weeks until the age of four months. Symptoms of the condition include fever, bloody diarrhea, vomiting, dehydration, and weakness.

Kennel Cough

Kennel cough in canines is the result of canine parainfluenza viruses or bacterial infection. Symptoms of the disease include lethargy, fever, reduced appetite, and a deep, productive cough. The disease is not necessarily related to kennels as it can affect pets that do not stay in kennels.

Puppies need vaccinations against the disease from six to eight weeks and, after that, every six to 12 months. Vaccination does not necessarily prevent the disease, but it helps reduce the severity of the symptoms.

Distemper Virus

Canine distemper is an upper respiratory disease that appears as eye discharge and sneezing. If not treated, the disease can develop into pneumonia, or it can cause neurological problems. The owners often misdiagnose the disease by thinking that their pet has a cold. They get the first vaccination against the disease at six to eight weeks.

They receive the next one after nine weeks. Puppies are immune from distemper after vaccination. If your puppy survives distemper, the condition can remain dormant, breaking out when the dog is older.

Canine Adenovirus

Adenovirus in your puppy can lead to infectious canine hepatitis. The disease is difficult to detect, but some of its signs include gastrointestinal problems such as diarrhea and vomiting. Fortunately, this disease is not too common due to the effectiveness of vaccines. If not checked, the symptoms can lead to jaundice. Vets give the vaccine alongside the canine distemper vaccine.

It is vital to understand the signs and symptoms that indicate that your pooch is not feeling well. Remember, when a puppy is unwell, the symptoms come on quicker than those from an adult dog. It also takes longer for the puppy to recover.

For more on the diseases a new puppy is susceptible to, visit Goose Creek Veterinary Hospital at our office in Ashburn, VA. You can call (571) 291-9110 today to schedule an appointment. In the event of an emergency, you can visit The LifeCentre in Leesburg, Virginia, or call 703-777-5755.