Raising a puppy is a lot like parenting an infant. Their safety and well-being is your responsibility. The task can be a tough one. It would be a lot easier to figure out what is wrong if only they could talk.
Since the owner’s observations are a very important part of detecting problems early, we must be diligent in our monitoring of a puppy’s activities and actions. Pay attention so that you know if he or she is eating and drinking. Monitor the puppy’s bathroom habits to insure good health. Keep a watchful eye to insure that the puppy does not become lethargic.
For example, if a puppy scratches his or her ears excessively, there could be a problem. The scratching can be a common symptom of ear mites, fleas or a yeast or ear infection. Early detection will keep the problem from worsening. Take time to look into your puppy’s ears. Clean the ears with a cotton swab that has been wetted with alcohol or an ear-cleansing agent.
A smelly, waxy build up can indicate a yeast infection. You will need to get medicine from the puppy’s veterinarian to treat the yeast infection.
Puppies that bite or scratch one particular area consistently could be suffering from tick or fleabites. A tick that has sucked blood until it drops off of the puppy can be long gone before you realize it was ever there. In the case of fleas, you must realize that they jump on and off of the puppy. A good means of detecting if fleas are present is to lay a white sheet or towel on the floor. Have the puppy stand on the white material while you comb his or her hair. If you see tiny black specks, your puppy has fleas. The black specks are actually dried blood.
Continual scratching can indicate several different things. One is that the puppy may have fleas. Another is that the puppy could be suffering from a food allergy. It is also possible that the puppy suffers from what many veterinarians refer to as “grass allergies.”
Try bathing the puppy to remove fleas if they are present. If you see no signs of fleas, you have to look at possible allergens. This will require the help of a veterinarian.
A puppy that is limping could be suffering from an injury or it could be a simple matter of something stuck in the footpads. Look carefully at the area that seems to bother the puppy. You may need to get a magnifying glass to see small glass shards or wood splinters. Use tweezers to remove foreign objects. Cleanse the wound with mild soap and apply an antibiotic ointment if needed.
Watch for signs of eye discharges. This symptom can be caused by a simple case of conjunctivitis. It can also be a sign of serious illnesses such as heartworm, heart problems, allergies, kennel cough and distemper. If you suspect conjunctivitis, try cleaning the eyes out with a mild solution of boric acid and water. The puppy’s veterinarian can also prescribe medicine that will quickly clear the problem.
Early detection is the key to keeping a puppy healthy. Don’t wait to contact the veterinarian if you have concerns.
Related posts:
- Common Types of Puppy Sicknesses
- Hair Loss – Common Causes and Solutions
- Canine Ear Infections
- Canine Urinary Problems
- Canine Diarrhea – Common Causes and Solutions
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