Puppies: 5 Potential Red Flags You Need a Vet

“Puppies: 5 Potential Red Flags You Need a Vet” is our second blog about understanding your puppy’s behaviors. Let’s take a a closer look at behaviors that may require a vet visit or at least a phone call.

In our last blog post, we discussed four common puppy behaviors that don’t always require a vet visit. For example, when your:

• Puppy Isn’t Eating.

  

• Puppy Hasn’t Gone to the Bathroom.
• Puppy is Crying During the Night.
• Puppy is Breathing Too Fast.

Of course, there may be times or issues with your puppy that should be addressed by an experienced vet whether it’s an office visit or a phone call for advice.

Puppies: 5 Potential Red Flags You May Need a Vet

Below are signs your puppy may need to visit the vet for medical attention.

1. Diarrhea continuing past 12 hours. If they are also vomiting, see your vet sooner as the risk of dehydration is increased!
2. The presence of blood in their diarrhea or vomit.
3. Their gums are whitish or gray or dry and tacky (possible dehydration).
4. Your puppy is lethargic or weak.
5. The presence of worms in the stool.

Next, let’s take a closer look at each scenario below.

Potential Red Flag: Puppy Diarrhea

There are a few common reasons why your puppy is challenged with diarrhea (loose/soft or watery stools) including:

• Stress, anxiety or fear.
• Something they ate, food or a toxic or foreign body.
• Food intolerance; or
• An infection (including bacterial, viral or internal parasites).

No matter the reason, follow these 3 steps:

1. Closely monitor your puppy’s symptoms.
2. Offer them smaller portions of a bland diet (boiled chicken (with no spices or skin), rice and pureed pumpkin or sweet potato (in small amounts only; too much may exacerbate diarrhea; and
3. Make sure they are drinking normally to avoid dangerous, even fatal, dehydration.

IMMEDIATELY contact your vet or an emergency vet if:

• The diarrhea continues past 12 hours without any signs of improvement.
• The diarrhea is accompanied by fever, a bloody or tar-like stool, pale gums, mood changes, lethargy or poor appetite.
• Puppy is also vomiting with diarrhea.
• There is blood in your puppy’s vomit.

If your puppy is experiencing diarrhea often, work with your veterinarian to determine what changes and precautions you need to take to keep them healthy. Also ensure your puppy cannot get into the garbage, trash cans, cleaning products or compost piles.

White or Gray, Dry or Tacky Gums

Healthy gums are light pink in color and moist to the touch. But if your puppy’s gums are white or gray in color or dry and tacky, these could be symptoms of potential dehydration or a medical emergency. To avoid dehydration, monitor your puppy’s daily water intake each time you change his water. Once you’ve established a baseline, it will be much easier to determine if your puppy has stopped drinking normally.

PetMD: Dog Gum Colors and What They Mean

Another Red Flag for Puppies: Worms in the Poop

The common types of worms in dogs include:

• Hookworms.
• Roundworms.
• Heartworms.
• Whipworms; and
• Tapeworms.

  

Many times, puppies will not exhibit symptoms of new or mild cases of worms. Also, most worms cannot be seen by the human eye! That is why fecal exams are so important to detect intestinal parasites early.

Below are some signs or symptoms your puppy may potentially have worms:

• Diarrhea.
• Vomiting.
• Weight loss.
• Lethargy.
• Dehydration.
• Poor coat appearance.
• Pot-bellied appearance.
• Bloody stools.

If you observe any of these symptoms in your puppy, secure a stool sample and immediately see your vet for accurate diagnosis and timely treatment. Always bring a stool sample to your dog’s annual examination.

Always monitor puppies for these 5 potential red flags you may need a Vet. If you’re unsure about whether you need to take your puppy to see the vet, reach out to your veterinarian for expert advice and support.

All Images are the Courtesy of Arkansas Bear Creek Goldens and Doodles

ARKANSAS BEAR CREEK GOLDENS AND DOODLES

F1b Goldendoodles and Labradoodles Available!

We are a small family breeder located in the heart of the Ozarks in Northern Arkansas. We strive to raise healthy, happy, well-socialized, quality Golden Retriever, Goldendoodle, Labradoodle, Mini Labradoodle, and Aussiedoodle puppies.

All our puppies come with a health guarantee for their first 12 months of age.

Please email, text or call us at 870-404-0127 or 870-404-1189 for more information about upcoming litters.