Common Illnesses and Their Symptoms

Worms - Hookworms, Tapeworms, Roundworms, Whipworms, Heartworms

Your puppy will have been treated for worms at 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks and have received a clear fecal from the veterinarian within 72 hours of pick up.  This does not mean that puppy will not have a positive fecal from your vet when you get home. In some cases, worms live in the small intestines of puppy, and the stress of transitioning to a new home may encourage an outbreak.

Symptoms of worms include:

Diarrhea

Weight loss

Poor coat appearance

Lethargy

Deficiencies in nutrition and anemia

Intestinal blockage or pneumonia

Coccidia

Coccidia is a bacteria that is ingested to the small intestine.  Symptoms of coccidia range from no visible symptoms to severe watery diarrhea, dehydration, abdominal distress, and vomiting. Coccidia is diagnosed through fecal performed by the vet.  Prescription meds are required, and may have to be repeated.  Reinfection is common, so careful sterilization of house, toys, and grounds is necessary if you have a positive case.

Giardia

Giardiasis is an intestinal infection in humans and animals, caused by a microscopic protozoan parasite. These microscopic parasites attach themselves to the intestinal wall and the damage causes an acute, sudden-onset of foul- smelling diarrhea. Giardia infection in dogs may lead to weight loss, chronic intermittent diarrhea, and fatty stool. The stool may range from soft to watery, often has a greenish tinge to it, and occasionally contains blood. Infected dogs tend to have excess mucus in the feces. Vomiting may occur in some cases.

A routine fecal flotation test may fail to detect these tiny cysts, which are shed inconsistently in the feces, and which often require a special zinc sulfate flotation solution for detection.

The most common drugs used to kill Giardia are fenbendazole and metronidazole. Supportive treatment with other drugs may be needed as supplemental therapy if dehydration or severe diarrhea is present. A low-residue, highly digestible diet may help lessen loose stools during treatment. Some dogs may require follow-up tests and treatments based on their condition and severity of infection. All infected pets should be re-tested two to four weeks after completion of treatment. Reinfection is common, so careful sterilization of house, toys, and grounds is necessary if you have a positive case.

Parvo

Parvo is the canine parvovirus (CPV) infection, and it is a highly contagious viral disease in dogs. There are two different forms that this disease can take. The most common type is the intestinal form. This has symptoms such as sever or bloody diarrhea, fever, vomiting, lack of appetite, and weight loss. The least common type of the virus is the cardiac form, which causes the heart muscles to malfunction. The virus affects the muscles of the hearts of very young puppies and fetuses. PARVO often causes death in puppies and unvaccinated dogs.

Many times, CPV is caused by an alteration of the original parvovirus. There are several risk factors that can increase your canine’s susceptibility to the disease. However, the main cause of CPV is contact with an infected dog or indirectly.

An infected dog has heavy concentrations of the virus in its stool. When a healthy dog smells an infected dog’s bottom, the healthy dog can become sick. Shoes that have contacted infected stool can also bring the virus to the dog’s environment.

There is some evidence that the CPV virus can live in the dirt for as long as a year. The virus resists most cleaning products and weather changes. If you need to clean an area that has been contaminated by parvovirus, you should first clean up all of the organic matter. This includes vomit, stool, and other matter. Then you should use a concentrated bleach to clean the virus. This is one of the few types of substances that can kill the virus.

Prevention – Vaccinations, and while your pup is building immunity (16-18 weeks of age). DO NOT allow pup to come into contact with surfaces at the vet, dog parks, groomer, training facility, or any where else dogs gather.  DO NOT allow other people to come into your home or hold your puppy without sterilizing bottoms of shoes and washing hands.

Kennel cough (Bordatella)

Most dogs that become infected with Bordetella are infected with a virus at the same time. These viruses, which are known to make dogs more susceptible to contracting Bordetella infection, include canine adenovirus, canine distemper virus, canine herpes virus, parainfluenza virus and canine reovirus.

The classic symptom of kennel cough is a persistent, forceful cough. It often sounds like a goose honk. This is distinct from a cough-like sound made by some dogs, especially little ones, which is called a reverse sneeze. Reverse sneezes can be normal in certain dogs and breeds, and usually only indicates the presence of post-nasal drip or a slight irritation of the throat.  Some dogs with kennel cough may show other symptoms of illness, including sneezing, a runny nose, or eye discharge.  If your dog has kennel cough, they probably will not lose their appetite or have a decreased energy level.

Kennel cough is contagious. If you think your dog might have the condition, you should keep them away from other animals and contact your veterinarian.