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Bringing home a puppy is an exciting and joyous event. But it may also be a bit overwhelming, especially if you’re a first-time pet owner. Puppies require a lot of care, and starting them off on the right paw is important. At Tuscan Ridge Animal Hospital, we understand the importance of giving your puppy the best start in life, and we’re here to help make sure that happens. In this article, we cover the essential topics of puppy care, including the importance of an early visit to the vet, common health problems, signs of a healthy puppy, and when to start training. We hope this article will help you care for your puppy and ensure you can give your pup the best life possible. If you are located in or near Wake Forest, NC and need help caring for your puppy, please contact us at (919) 556-1944 to schedule an appointment.
Why is starting your puppy out on the right path for good health important?
Starting your puppy on the right path for a lifelong journey of good health is vitally important, and good health comes in many different ways. First of all, there's nutritional health, and then there's emotional health for your pet, and social health for your pet. The sooner we get started on those things after you adopt or purchase your puppy, the better off we can make sure that they start out on the right path.
When should a new puppy be seen by a veterinarian?
I recommend for puppies to be seen within two to three days of their purchase or adoption into their new home, even though the pet at that point in time may not be old enough to actually receive vaccinations. It's really important to make sure that that puppy is healthy, leaving the shelter or breeder situation that it came from. I always recommend a post-purchase exam and scheduling an appointment with your veterinarian as soon as possible.
At what age should puppies start receiving vaccinations?
Regarding vaccinations in puppies, we generally start these at eight to nine weeks of age.
What are the most common health problems seen in puppies?
The most common health problems we see in puppies include parasites, both internal and external parasites like fleas, ticks, and mites. Secondly, I would say infections, such as viral and bacterial infections. Some other things we may see:
- Skin problems
- Ear infections
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Dental disease
- Obesity
What are the signs and symptoms of illness in a puppy?
Signs and symptoms of illness in your puppy include things like a loss of appetite or vomiting, diarrhea, and lack of energy. Those are the biggest things I see. To a lesser extent, respiratory problems, coughing, runny nose, and discharge from the eyes and or nose. Also, I think to round out that list, I'd probably include problems with urinating and or having a bowel movement.
How can you tell if a puppy is healthy and thriving?
Puppies who are healthy and thriving generally do one of three things at any time: They're either sleeping, eating, or playing. The younger the puppy is, the more time of the day will be spent in the sleeping category, followed by eating and playing. And the older the puppy gets, the less time will be spent sleeping, more time will be spent eating, and lots of time for play. Don't forget those ever-evolving teeth; clean-smelling breath, and clean teeth are important!
When should training for a puppy begin?
Training your puppy starts the day that you bring your puppy home. Your puppy comes into your home with no expectations of what your house rules are, when meals will be provided, and where they should go to the bathroom. These are things that you can start training your puppy to do from the very first day you get home. Give them a schedule for eating, playing, sleeping, and ensuring that they're doing each of those things well.
What do you look for during a new puppy examination?
When I'm presented with a new puppy for examination, there are several things that I look at to make sure that that puppy is healthy. I usually start at the head, and I want to make sure that we are checking the eyes to make sure they are clear and bright. There's no discharge from the eyes and or the nose. I always open the mouth, make sure that the mouth is formed properly, that there is no cleft palate, and that the puppy is starting to get its teeth in the way it should. I also want to listen to their heart and lungs to make sure I don't hear any murmurs or abnormal lung sounds. And then I move on to the belly. I want to make sure that the belly button is healing properly and that there is no belly button herniation. And then the last thing I generally look at is the genitals to make sure that that animal is formed properly and has all the boy parts or girl parts that they should have.
Why Is It Important to Start Good Puppy Care on Day One?
It’s important to start proper puppy care as soon as you bring your pup home. This is especially true for puppies between 8 and 20 weeks of age, which is the period when they are most receptive to new information. During this time, providing your puppy with positive experiences and socialization is important. This will help them learn how to interact with humans and other animals in a positive way, preventing future behavior problems.
At this stage, it’s also important to begin basic obedience training such as sitting, staying, coming when called, and walking on a leash. Training sessions should be frequent but short in duration due to the puppy’s short attention span.
Finally, this is an ideal time to build a strong bond with your pup by providing lots of love and affection. The more time you spend together during these early years, the stronger your relationship will become.
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What Are Some Signs and Symptoms of Illness in Puppies?
It’s important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of illness in puppies in order to provide timely medical care when needed. Some common signs and symptoms include:
- Lethargy
- Dull coat
- Skin changes
- Changes in appetite
- Ear problems
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Respiratory problems
- Behavior changes
- Joint stiffness
- Swollen gums
- Excessive thirst
- Runny nose or eyes
- Trouble urinating or defecating
It’s especially important to be on the lookout for any signs of parvovirus (Parvo), a highly contagious and potentially fatal virus. Symptoms include severe diarrhea, vomiting, fever, lethargy, dehydration, stomach pain, pale gums, and weakness. Another serious condition that puppies can contract is distemper, which attacks the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems with symptoms such as green or yellow discharge from the eyes, fever, coughing, lethargy, decreased appetite, and vomiting.
When Should I Start Training My Puppy?
Start training your puppy as soon as you bring them home, teaching them basic commands like sit, stay, come, and down. Use positive reinforcement, keep training sessions short (5-10 minutes), and always end on a positive note. Puppies should also be exposed to various environments, activities, and people to help them become more familiar with the world around them. Proper socialization is especially important for service dogs to ensure that they can handle the pressures of the job.
Basic training for service dogs usually starts around 8 weeks, while more advanced training is delayed until around 6 months. This allows puppies to mature physically and emotionally before beginning more intensive training.
Conclusion
Providing your puppy with proper care is key to their long-term health and well-being. From scheduling the first veterinary appointment to providing regular socialization and training, there are many steps you can take to ensure that your pup gets the best start in life. At Tuscan Ridge Animal Hospital, we understand how important it is to provide your puppy with quality care, and we’re here to help make sure that happens. Please contact us at (919) 556-1944 or [email protected] today if you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment for your puppy.