Adopting a puppy into your family is an exciting moment! They are balls of energy that an bring so much joy to a household. There are a million to things to consider when adopting a puppy: what food to feed, crate training, vaccine visits, puppy training, etc. Here we are going to highlight a few common illnesses and concerning clinical signs to look for. This is not a complete list, if there are any medical concerns please immediately contact your nearest veterinary clinic for assistance.
Skin
A common skin condition that puppies may have is Demodectic mange. Breeds such as Staffordshire terriers, English bulldogs or French bulldogs may be at increased risk. Signs of mange may include: hair loss, redness and crusting. Sometimes the puppies may have a secondary skin infection and may be itchy. It is most commonly diagnosed with a test called a skin scrape- however other tests include biopsy or PCR.
Clinical signs associated with skin issues:
- Hair loss
- A “rash” which may look like small ant bites, pimples or scabs
- Redness of the skin
- Excess licking/chewing/scratching
Respiratory
A common respiratory issue we see with puppies is Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease Complex (CIRDC) or more commonly known as “kennel cough”. This is a viral or bacterial infection that is spread through aerosol droplets of dogs who are coughing and sneezing. Puppies may be more at risk if they are in high exposure settings such as: shelters, dog parks, dog shows, etc. There are vaccines to help protect puppies against infectious agents associated with this disease. Even well vaccinated dogs may have mild symptoms if they are exposed. Diagnosis may be presumptive based off of exposure and presenting signs, however there are tests like respiratory PCR.
Clinical signs associated with respiratory disease:
- Coughing
- Sneezing
- Labored Breathing
- Nasal discharge
- Congestion
Gastrointestinal
An uncommon but life-threatening gastrointestinal viral infection in puppies is parvovirus. One of the P’s in the DA2PP vaccine stands for Parvovirus and protects against this virus. A puppy that is exposed to parvovirus may have excess vomiting and diarrhea. Parvovirus can be life threatening due to dehydration, possible sepsis, etc. Parvovirus is spread through fecal matter. Depending on the puppies age they may receive several rounds of vaccine boosters to help ensure their protection as their immune system is forming. Diagnosis is most commonly performed with a SNAP Elisa test- however other tests are available e.g. PCR.
Clinical signs associated with gastrointestinal disease:
- Decreased or no appetite
- Weight loss
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Blood in stool
- Worms in stool
Musculoskeletal
The most common musculoskeletal issue we see in puppies is due to trauma. We see many cases of puppies falling off furniture, jumping out of car windows, etc. Best case scenario there is just soft tissue trauma e.g. a sprain. However, we do see many cases of puppies who break bones due to trauma. Once at the veterinary office physical exam can help us isolate where the pain is coming from. X-rays are often performed to diagnose or rule out broken bones.
Clinical signs associated with musculoskeletal disease:
- Limping
- Pain upon touching affected area.
- Muscle tremors
Remember, if you notice concerns with your puppy make sure to reach out to your local veterinarian! Even if you are unsure if it is a concern the office can guide you if your puppy needs to be seen for a visit or if they should be monitored. We hope that we provided helpful information on monitoring puppies for common concerns.
