| This
information is relative to puppies in "general" not specific
to the Cane Corso breed. If you are a new puppy parent, or
are about to be one, it is important to learn about some
common puppy illnesses and their symptoms, so that
appropriate action can be taken if your puppy gets sick.
This information is just to keep you informed and is not
intended to be a subsitute for verterinary care.
Puppies are active and generally full of energy, so if you
notice that your puppy has suddenly become weak and
lethargic, or is eating less than usual, then you should pay
close attention to see if you can also identify some other
symptoms that your puppy may exhibit and take them to the
vet at the first signs of illness. Often times early
treatment can save your puppies life.
Common puppy health problems and their symptoms:
Puppy Parvo
Parvo is a viral disease that is highly contagious and can
spread quickly to dogs that are not immune from the disease.
Parvovirus affects mainly puppies and younger dogs. Puppies
between weaning and up to six months of age are the most at
risk. There are two forms of parvo - intestinal (more
common) and cardiac (less common but more deadly).
Puppies with parvo usually show a
loss of appetite and are
lethargic. They suffer from vomiting and diarrhea which
can quickly lead to
dehydration. Quite often, they also have a
fever. In serious cases, puppy parvo is fatal if timely
treatment is not given.
Puppy CoughIf your
puppy has developed a dry, hacking cough, he may have
contracted kennel cough, which is caused by either viral
(e.g. parainfluenza) or bacterial infection (e.g. Bordetella
bronchiseptica). Usually, the puppy will gag or retch at the
end of a coughing spell. Kennel cough is not a very serious
illness and the puppy will usually get over the cough in one
or two weeks.
There are natural remedies such as herbs that can be used to
ease the cough. Please visit our pages on
Kennel Cough for more information.
Of course, just because your puppy is coughing does not
necessarily mean that he has kennel cough. There are
many other reasons why he may be coughing, since
coughing is one way for the body to get rid of foreign
particles and infectious bacteria from the respiratory
tract. For example, if the puppy is allergic to some
irritants (such as cigarette smoke), he may also develop a
cough (usually a "moist" one).
In some cases, coughing can be a sign of something more
serious, such as heartworm infection or
distemper. Therefore, if your puppy's cough does not go
away in a couple days, you should get her to the vet for a
check-up.
Puppy Mange
There are two types of mange: sarcoptic mange, commonly
known as scabies, and demodectic mange, also known as red
mange.
Scabies can cause a lot of agonies to puppies due to the
intense
itch it causes. In addition to itching, it also causes
hair loss and you may also see crusty brown lesions on the
skin. Scabies is contagious and can even infect people, so
great care has to be exercised if you suspect your puppy has
scabies.
Red mange is non-contagious and is caused by another type of
mites that live in the hair follicle. It causes hair loss
and the area first affected is usually around the eyes, but
may spread to the head and other parts of the body. Puppies
and dogs with a healthy immune system are normally not
affected by red mange, although the mites can be found in
most pups. A strong immune system is therefore important to
fend off problems such as mange.
There are natural and gentle remedies that can be used to
tackle puppy mange and to strengthen the immune system.
Visit our page on
Home Remedies for Mange for more information.
Ear Mites in Puppies
If your puppy is constantly shaking her head and scratching
her ears, take a look at the inside of her ears. If you see
dark brown crumbly wax in the ear(s), or if the affected ear
gives off a bad odor, then chances are she has ear mites.
Mite infestation can cause
outer ear infection. As in most puppy illnesses, mites
usually affect puppies with a weakened immune system.
Visit our page on
Dog Ear Mites for more information on how to use natural
remedies to treat this puppy health problem.
Puppy Diarrhea
One of the most common puppy illnesses is perhaps diarrhea.
Puppy diarrhea can have a wide range of causes - some can be
serious. If your puppy has developed diarrhea and is not
getting better in a couple of days or so, and especially if
she has mucoid or bloody diarrhea, take her to the vet
immediately.
Visit our page on
Puppy Diarrhea for more information on this puppy health
problem.
Top of Puppy Illnesses
Puppy Constipation
Constipation is also one of the most common puppy illnesses.
Occasional constipation is not a serious concern, especially
if the constipated puppy is eating normally and does not
show any other illness symptoms, such as
pain, lethargy, etc. Just make sure that the puppy has
sufficient exercise and a lot of fresh clean water to drink.
You may also add fiber to her diet, by mixing 1/4 to 1
teaspoon of ground flaxseed or psyllium husk with her food.
However, if your puppy is straining to poop but fails to
produce anything, or if she seems to be in pain, then you
should take her to the vet immediately. It may be possible
that she has swallowed something and has an intestinal
blockage.
If your puppy is suffering from chronic constipation,
consult with your vet. In addition, make sure that she is
fed a natural diet, supplemented by
probiotics and
fatty acids - both are essential in maintaining a strong
digestive system.
Puppy Vomiting
Puppies often vomit when they have been eating too fast or
too much (or both!), or they have started exercising too
soon after eating, or when they are under stress. These are
not serious causes and vomiting should not be too frequent
nor should it continue for too long. Try to monitor the
duration and frequency of the vomiting. If your puppy vomits
only once or twice, and thereafter eats normally, has a
normal bowel movement, and is not lethargic, then the
problem may resolve on its own. Just make sure she has
plenty of clean water to drink, since puppies get dehydrated
very quickly.
If your puppy is vomiting and is also showing signs of
pain (e.g.
drooling, whining), you should take her to the vet
immediately. It may be possible that she has eaten something
indigestible or even
poisonous.
ativeremedies.comIf your puppy has chronic vomiting, or
if she is lethargic, or has
lost her appetite, then consult your vet immediately.
Chronic vomiting may be due to a number of reasons, such as
food allergies,
worm infestation, or infectious diseases (e.g. parvo,
distemper). |
