Medical Problems in Puppyhood
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Illness
Bleeding
(Haemorrhagic Syndrome)
Symptoms and Causes
Vitamin K is vital for blood clotting and is produced by bacteria in the gut. In the first few days of life, a puppy gets its Vitamin K directly through its mothers milk, until the bacteria becomes established in its own gut. A malnourished mother can leave her pups susceptible to heavy bleeding from minor injuries.
Prevention and Treatment
Puppies affected need Vitamin K by injection.
Illness
Blood Poisoning
(Septicaemia)
Symptoms and Causes
Pups can become infected either through the naval or via their mother’s milk (mastitis). Pups become distressed, with diarrhoea, straining or bloating, with red or blue tinted skin showing lethal inflammation of the abdomen lining (peritonitis)
Prevention and Treatment
Urgent veterinary treatment followed by hand feeding from then on
Illness
Diarrhoea
Symptoms and Causes
With pups dehydrating six times faster than adults, even a mild attack of diarrhoea could prove fatal. As mum normally licks away any signs it’s important to look out for an inflamed anus. The most common cause is overfeeding, especially by hand.
Prevention and Treatment
A visit to the vet for treatment of dehydration with electrolyte solution and medications.
Illness
Fading Puppy Syndrome
Symptoms and Causes
Term to describe listless puppies that don’t feed well, thus not gaining weight before becoming week and eventually dying. Causes are numerous including chilling, herpes infection, toxic milk from mum or simply birth defects.
Prevention and Treatment
Affected puppies must be kept well nourished and warm.
Remember to mark the infected puppy for easy monitoring – nail varnish on a couple of toes would do.
Illness
Flat Puppy Syndrome
(Swimmers)
Symptoms and Causes
Weak muscles are the main culprits here. Affected pups will appear flat chested and move around very much like swimming turtles. More common in giant breeds, especially if the pup is overweight.
Prevention and Treatment
Give pups a good gripping surface, such as grass or carpet, for walking exercises. Getting the pup to sleep on its side is also helpful. This can be achieved by ‘hobbling’ the forelegs together at the elbows when sleeping.
Illness
Hernia
Symptoms and Causes
Hernias are swellings in either the naval (umbilicus) or groin (inguinal hernia). A reducible hernia can be gently pushed back but a strangulated hernia cannot. Some breeds are more genetically susceptible to this condition, such as the Shih Tzu and Yorkshire Terrier.
Prevention and Treatment
If the there is a hard, painful swelling at a typical hernia site then immediate veterinary attention is needed.
Large hernias you can push your finger into will need surgical attention whilst smaller ones normally don’t. Your vet will recommend the best time to operate.
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