When we bring a puppy home, we have to take into account that it is more defenseless against any disease. If we add that it is an abandoned puppy that may not have received adequate nutrition, any condition worsens. You may see that your puppy is weak, does not want to eat, play, even has vomiting or diarrhea.
Surely in this case you have doubts about cHow to feed it, what it needs and how to know if it is sick. Next, in this post, we will help you a little to know how to act in these circumstances.
My Cahorro and his immune system
Puppies are more susceptible to infections than adult dogs in the first weeks of life. Their immune system itself is not active. In fact, they respond to infections during this time thanks to immunity acquired from their mother. This means that The mother transfers the immune defenses to them through milk. In particular, colostrum is most concentrated there. That is why it is so important that the puppy is suckled by the mother. It would be appropriate to nurse it for the first 45 days of life.
So, this coupled with other factors, Puppies are very susceptible to health problems such as infectious diseases and parasites.
Vaccination schedules usually begin at about six weeks of age. But even if the vaccination schedule is carefully followed, there may be a small chance that the defenses inherited from the mother will wane before the puppy itself is able to produce a sufficient amount of its own antibodies. it can happen that in this period of vulnerability they get sick with a disease like parvovirus. Nevertheless, vaccination schedules should reduce the risk of disease.
Feed my puppy
Depending on the type of diet our puppy becomes strong or it seems that he is weak. Food is a fundamental pillar for the proper development of our puppy. Actually, Nutritional requirements are higher in the puppy stage than in the adult stage.
And within the puppy stage, it varies whether it is a large or small breed dog. Dogs of small breeds must have a higher calcium content. Receive a more energetic food than puppies of large breeds. Large breed puppies should be fed less calcium to prevent growth problems.
If the food is of very low quality or we give him little quantity, they can develop anemia, but also watch out for obesity. Therefore, it is appropriate to look for a quality food and follow the manufacturer's instructions or your veterinarian's instructions.
My puppy is weak and vomiting
If you notice that your puppy is weak and vomiting, you should observe how the vomiting is. It is something very important and a great help when it is taken to the vet. Observe the color of the vomit if he has vomited objects or food with it.
Another thing to clarify is that regurgitation is not the same as vomiting. We explain the difference with an example: if the puppy eats very fast and seems to get tired and expels the food when it is swallowed, it has not been digested there yet vomit. And if what the puppy expels is accompanied by bile and the form of what he ate is no longer so much appreciated, it is not even appreciated that if it was digested and that is vomiting.
As a palliative measure After vomiting, the water should be taken for 2 hours. After these 2 hours you will be offered water in small amounts and we will see how you react. If I vomit again, it will be removed.
However, if he vomits repeatedly and even the vomit is accompanied by blood, it is urgent that you take your puppy to the vet.
Vomiting in a puppy may be due to a food allergy, something he ate, or most likely a parvovirus. Your puppy may also be weak and not want to eat.
Although these symptoms are very general in any type of illness, special care must be taken with puppies because, as mentioned earlier, they are more immunosuppressed and may have parvovirus or canine distemper. Parvovirus and distemper or canine distemper are the most common infectious diseases a puppy can suffer from.
Parvovirus
La parvovirus o The parvovirus is a viral disease that mainly affects puppies. This disease mainly affects the digestive system. The main symptoms are:
– Diarrhea that is bloody and very smelly – vomiting like foam, as if it were mucus, which becomes bloody as the disease progresses. – Loss of appetite (anorexia) – Dehydration from diarrhea and vomiting – General weakness – Apathy, meaning the puppy is sad and has no desire to explore or play – High fever – In the most severe cases, heart problems
It is critical to go to the veterinary center as soon as possible if your puppy has these symptoms, as parvovirus is deadly.
Canine distemper or distemper
El distemper affects the following systems: respiratory, lymphatic, digestive, urogenital, and nervous. Symptoms depend on the system they affect, although they usually start with the respiratory system. Here are the symptoms:
– Fever – nasal and eye discharge – anorexia – general weakness – cough – difficulty breathing – seizures – ataxia (incoordination) – paralysis – stiff neck – diarrhea and vomiting – skin problems
Of all the symptoms listed above, those that occur during the first phase of the disease are the most Fever, runny nose and eyes, loss of appetite and weakness. Like the parvovirus, these are diseases with a very rapid development and contagion.
Most common parasitic diseases
In addition to parvovirus and distemper, Parasitic diseases are one of the most common diseases in puppies.
The most common is that of toxacara canis, which is popularly said that the dog "worms" has. The symptoms of toxocariasis are:
– Diarrhea – Sometimes vomiting – Dilution – Dehydration
These symptoms are preceded by a period of several days in which the puppy will cough. Importantly, toxacara canis it also infects the human species. Usually every two weeks in the first three months of life. The mother also in the last 20 days of pregnancy. After 3 months of life, it is advisable to continue deworming every 3 months.
Plus toxacara canis, there are other intestinal parasites such as Toxocaris leonina, Trichuris vulpis, tapeworms and protozoa that can easily cause diarrhea in puppies. If it is a large and persistent infestation, your puppy may be weak, as this infestation may in turn degenerate into other pathologies.
We hope that this information was helpful for you. And you know, do not hesitate to go to your trusted veterinary center, especially in case of vomiting and diarrhea in puppies, it is crucial to go urgently. In addition, the veterinary team can really help your puppy.