Puppy Health Guide

Worried about puppy health issues? Not sure if your little one is sick? Need information on common dog illnesses? You'll find all the answers you're looking for right here.

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Young puppies can get very sick, very fast, and there are certain things that you need to know in order to make sure your little pup grows up healthy and strong - and that he enjoys a long, happy and active life.

Some stuff is obvious... protect him from danger, get his vaccinations done on time, learn to recognize the symptoms of dog illnesses and so on.

Others (such as having a first-aid kit handy, or making sure his food is of premium quality) might not come to mind right away.

But don't worry, this page has lots of tips, advice and information to help you keep on top of things... and keep your puppy healthy.

Common Puppy Health Issues

Puppy healthcare isn't 'rocket science' but it can be tricky for new owners to know when their pup is really sick, what type of preventative veterinary care is essential, or what to do about common problems such as parasites, diarrhea, constipation and more......

Symptoms Of Illness In Puppies

It can be tricky to tell whether or not your new pup is sick, because many common symptoms and behavior can have more than one cause.

For example, your puppy might have a bout of diarrhea, or vomiting as a result of eating something he shouldn't (and this in itself isn't unusual).....

.... but these symptoms could signal the beginning of some serious illnesses - including the very deadly Parvovirus or a parasitic condition such as Coccidia, or Giardia.

Here are some of the most common symptoms of illness in dogs and puppies:

• Diarrhea
  
  
• Vomiting
  
  
• Loss of appetite
  
  
• Lethargy or extreme tiredness
  
  
• Discharge from nose or eyes (or both)
  
  
• A fever - anything over 102F
  

All of these symptoms (apart from the fever) can also signal a minor problem. A good rule of thumb is to pay attention to how your puppy is acting. If he has some loose stools but...

a) is eating and drinking okay and running around happily, chances are you don't have to rush to the vet (but do take him if it doesn't clear up within 24 hours).

b) if he seems listless and tired, won't eat/drink as normal or seems 'not quite himself', then it's important to have a vet check him out to make sure all is well.

Young puppies can get sick very quickly, and that can worsen within hours. Diseases like Parvo can kill within a day or two.

If you're ever worried about your puppy's health, don't take a 'wait-and-see' approach! Get him to your own vet (or if it's after hours, to a 24 hour animal clinic/hospital) imimmediately. His life could depend on it.

Check out my Dog Illnesses page, for a comprehensive list of the causes, symptoms and treatment of the most common, contagious canine diseases.

If your puppy seems out of sorts, or you have some niggling questions or worries, you can get a quick, professional answer to your dog health questions online.

Check out my Ask A Vet Online page to learn more. (This is not recommended for emergency situations though - if your pup is really unwell or injured take him to your own vet asap)

Other Puppy Health Conditions

The conditions I've mentioned above are among the most common health worries you might face as a new puppy parent. But there are many others that can crop up.

Plus, good preventative veterinary care can head off a lot of problems, and help your puppy live a longer, happier and more active life.

Here's a look at some of the types of problems your puppy might experience, and simple safety and prevention measures you can take.

Prevention & Safety Choosing a healthy puppy Choosing a veterinarian Puppy shots How to tell when your puppy is sick Fleas and ticks Worms Heartworm prevention Neutering your dog Spaying your dog Pet dog health insurance Natural remedies for dogs Pain medication for dogs First aid supplies What to do about dog poisoning Puppy Health Problems Q&A

Puppy Illnesses Puppy Diarrhea Vomiting Constipation Canine Parvovirus Canine Heartworm Giardia Coccidiosis Lyme Disease Mange Canine allergies Puppy Hair Loss

Healthydogs.net is a great source of dog healthcare tips and advice, and you'll also find info. on breeds, behavior, products and more.

If you're interested in natural health care for your puppy, here's are two other websites that have some great info. for you...

Herbal Remedies for Dogs and Cats: Find all the herbal remedies for pets you need, for everything from cat and dog joint pain to fleas; from pet cancer to pet diabetes and more.

Dog Care Guidance from Organic Pet Digest:
Your complete adviser for natural, organic and holistic dog care. Use their free dog health advice and their Ask-a-Vet service to ensure a long and happy life through a holistic approach to dog health & wellness. Advice includes at-home remedies to common dog health problems, homemade dog food recipes, proper dog vet care and pet insurance reviews, reviews of dog supplies & products and more.

Having a good dog health book close at hand can make any puppy illness/accident less worrying. These are a few of the best ones, and I recommend making sure that you have a reference book of some sort on your bookshelf...

There's so much more than just dealing with illnesses to keeping your puppy healthy.

Things like understanding normal puppy development and knowing how to meet your his nutritional needs are also very important.

I hope you'll take the time to browse through my website and learn everything you can about taking care of your brand new little guy, after all he's relying on you to keep him safe. Best of luck.

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