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With a litter or two on the ground,听a breeder鈥檚 hands are full of cleaning, weighing, handling, and much more. Having so much to do, it can be hard to听肠补迟肠丑听the beginning stages of a sick puppy.听Despite extensive research, first鈥�time owners may听not know the warning signs of certain illnesses and how a sick puppy might look or behave. Recognizing the signs of a sick puppy can help ensure action is taken before any illness becomes听worse. Here鈥檚 our tips to help breeders and their new puppy owners catch the signs of illness early.听
Lethargy
While puppies do need a significant amount of sleep, doing nothing but sleeping is a concern. After the first few weeks, if听a puppy isn鈥檛 engaging in play with littermates or curious about exploring the world, they may not be feeling their best. A puppy who just lounges around and lacks enthusiasm should be examined further to ensure they aren鈥檛 starting to听show symptoms of being听sick.听
Coat听& Skin听
Check puppies听daily by running your hands over听their听bodies听to听confirm听there are no ticks, fleas, insects, or wounds.听Puppies can be clumsy and are still learning how to play safely with听others. Accidents听such as scratches and scrapes can occur听that may need attention.听If a puppy鈥檚 coat loses its luster or becomes patchy, a visit to the veterinarian听is听in order.听
Appetite听
Puppies eat a lot!听Big life changes, such as a puppy moving to their new home, may cause a temporary lapse in appetite. But once they鈥檙e settled, they should be happy to chow down.听While the amount and type of that a puppy should eat changes based on age, if a puppy isn鈥檛 eating as much as usual or is vomiting, it鈥檚 time to visit your veterinarian.听听
Ears
If a puppy is scratching or rubbing their ears, shaking their head, or you notice a foul听odor coming from their ears, he may have an ear infection.听While adult dogs听generally听experience ear infections due to bacteria and yeast growth, ear infections in puppies are typically due to mites. If you suspect an听ear infection in a puppy, visit your vet. They鈥檒l do an examination, clean out your puppy鈥檚 ears, and recommend a for your use at home. 听
Eyes听
A puppy鈥檚 eyes should be clear and free of goop. There are several听eye conditions听that can cause issues,听such as pink eye and dry eye. If a puppy is squinting, excessively blinking, pawing at their eyes, or has听discharge, you should visit the vet right away.听听
Diarrhea
Since puppies are known for eating things they shouldn鈥檛,听puppy diarrhea听is, unfortunately, a common symptom听of听varying issues. Reasons a puppy may听have听diarrhea include diet change, bacterial infection, viral infection, ingestion of foreign bodies, parasites, or stress. A puppy with diarrhea should be observed,听and听the vet should be called. You can explain any additional symptoms to the听vet,听and he can听tell听you if the puppy should be brought in for a visit.听听
Weight听
Many breeders track the weight of puppies at minimum through the first two weeks of life. Ensure that puppies are steadily gaining weight and receiving proper nourishment. This is the best way to help them become strong enough to fight off illness. Once a puppy heads home, new owners can track weight by teaching their puppy to听sit听or stand听on a or by understanding听body condition scoring. Losing weight and reduced interest in eating is another concern. In this case, the puppy may be sick and should be taken to the vet right away.听听
Behavior
As the caretaker of a litter or an individual puppy, you should know the routines of your dogs. Be aware when behavior deviates from normal. A puppy who usually is bright and active when handled might suddenly become quiet and nonreactive if they鈥檙e feeling sick. If a puppy suddenly becomes more vocal, with increased whining or whimpering, they may be trying to let you know that something is wrong.
This article is intended solely as general guidance, and does not constitute health or other professional advice. Individual situations and applicable laws vary by jurisdiction, and you are encouraged to obtain appropriate advice from qualified professionals in the applicable jurisdictions. We make no representations or warranties concerning any course of action taken by any person following or otherwise using the information offered or provided in this article, including any such information associated with and provided in connection with third-party products, and we will not be liable for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, exemplary or other damages that may result, including but not limited to economic loss, injury, illness or death.