How to Care for a Sick Puppy

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If your puppy is sick, there is a lot that you can do as a pet owner to help keep it comfortable and speed up its recovery. Remain calm, since your puppy will grow anxious if it notices that you are acting stressed. Your puppy depends on your caregiving, so be sure it is comfortable and safe, and contact your local veterinarian for professional assistance.

Part 1
Part 1 of 3:

Keeping Your Puppy Comfortable

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  1. Some behavioral red flags include a loss of appetite, lethargy, shaking, weakness, unusual sensitivity to being touched or handled, or aggression without cause. Make a list of your pet's symptoms so that you can relay these to the vet. [1]
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Care for a Sick Puppy
    Put together a comfortable bed for your puppy and try to lure it to the bed using toys and praise. Your puppy will likely be eager to rest if it is feeling ill. If your puppy is crate trained, put it in the crate so that you can keep an eye on it more easily.
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  3. Watermark wikiHow to Care for a Sick Puppy
    Try to calm your dog with a soft voice and soothing words. Your puppy takes its cues from you, so stay calm and reassure your puppy that it will be okay. They will pick up on your loving tone and will feel more at ease.
    EXPERT TIP

    Colleen Demling-Riley, CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA, CDBC

    Canine Behavior Consultant
    Colleen Demling-Riley (CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA, CDBC) is a Canine Behavior Consultant and the Founder of Pawtopia Dog Training. With more than 20 years of experience, she specializes in creating and customizing dog management programs for dog owners. She is a Certified Pet Dog Trainer-Knowledge Assessed, Certified Behavior Consultant Canine-Knowledge Assessed, Certified Dog Behavior Consultant, and American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen Evaluator. Colleen is a member of the International Association of Canine Professionals and has been a featured expert in national media including the New York Times, Woman’s Day, Readers Digest, Cosmopolitan, and Yahoo.com.
    Colleen Demling-Riley, CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA, CDBC
    Canine Behavior Consultant

    If your dog is in pain, stay calm. Dogs are sensitive to their owner's emotions. If your dog is in pain and you start getting nervous or panicky, your dog will sense your distress and feel more pain and stress. Whatever the situation, approach it calmly to help your dog feel reassured.

  4. Watermark wikiHow to Care for a Sick Puppy
    Encourage your puppy to drink water, as it is important to keep it hydrated while it is recovering from an illness. However, drinking too much at once could have a negative effect on your puppy, so monitor its water intake. If your puppy is unable to swallow water without vomiting, contact your veterinarian right away.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Care for a Sick Puppy
    If your puppy is able to eat, feed it white meat, such as boiled chicken or boiled fish (cod or coley), with white rice. You should give your pet one cup (0.24 liters) of food per 10 pounds (4.5 kg) of weight each day. Continue this bland diet for 1-2 days following the day your puppy first became sick. You can then return your pup to its normal diet if the symptoms cease. [2]
    • If your puppy refuses to eat, or if it is having severe diarrhea or vomiting, take it to the vet right away. These problems can contribute to low blood sugar and dehydration, which can make your puppy's illness much worse.
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Part 2
Part 2 of 3:

Seeking Medical Care

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Care for a Sick Puppy
    Take your puppy to the vet immediately if it is having severe symptoms or symptoms that last longer than 1 day. If your puppy is in an emergency situation, the vet will assist you right away. Go to the nearest animal hospital immediately if your puppy shows any of these symptoms: [3]
    • Difficulty breathing
    • Unconsciousness
    • Excessive bleeding
    • Known exposure to a toxic substance
    • Vomiting or diarrhea
    • Broken bones
    • Breathing difficulties
    • Seizures
    • Inability to urinate
    • Straining or difficulty during defecation
    • Swellings around its face, eyes or throat
    • Weakness or lethargy
  2. Look up the number for a local pet doctor either online or in the phone book. Clearly specify what you have observed the puppy's symptoms to be, and express your worries. It's a great plan to choose an animal hospital that's been accredited by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), especially if there is a chance that your puppy may be seriously ill.
    • Sometimes, the veterinarian will know immediately what is wrong with your dog, so they may tell you over the phone to ease your concern. However, sometimes they will not be sure until they check the puppy in person.
    EXPERT TIP

    Colleen Demling-Riley, CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA, CDBC

    Canine Behavior Consultant
    Colleen Demling-Riley (CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA, CDBC) is a Canine Behavior Consultant and the Founder of Pawtopia Dog Training. With more than 20 years of experience, she specializes in creating and customizing dog management programs for dog owners. She is a Certified Pet Dog Trainer-Knowledge Assessed, Certified Behavior Consultant Canine-Knowledge Assessed, Certified Dog Behavior Consultant, and American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen Evaluator. Colleen is a member of the International Association of Canine Professionals and has been a featured expert in national media including the New York Times, Woman’s Day, Readers Digest, Cosmopolitan, and Yahoo.com.
    Colleen Demling-Riley, CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA, CDBC
    Canine Behavior Consultant

    Call the vet for guidance if your dog is in pain. Make your dog comfortable while you attempt to locate the source of their pain. Put them on a soft bed or blankets in a safe and cozy place where they can rest. I recommend choosing a less-busy area of the house, like a crate or bed in the corner of the family room. Don't hesitate to call your vet immediately to find out what you should do.

  3. Ask for the soonest available appointment, and agree on a meeting time. Take note of the agreed-upon appointment so that you do not forget. Try to be patient, since although your puppy's sickness is your number-one concern, the doctor may have a full schedule of appointments already. If you're worried, ask what you should do for your dog in the time leading up to the appointment.
  4. Due to its discomfort or pain, your puppy may be reluctant to get into the car with you. Some dogs also get anxious about visiting the veterinarian or about meeting new people.
    • Offer your puppy a treat to reward them for getting into the car. Drive carefully, and, however tempting, do not let the puppy sit on your lap while you drive, as this could be dangerous for you both.
  5. The doctor will probably write a prescription for medication, so be sure to have this filled and give your puppy the proper doses. Be sure that your puppy gets plenty of water and rest.
    • It is important to follow the recommended care regimen exactly, since this will ensure a speedy recovery for your pet. Try to keep the environment around the puppy calm and quiet while it recovers.
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Part 3
Part 3 of 3:

Preventing Future Sickness

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  1. You may have to go to a follow-up appointment, depending on the severity of your puppy's illness. Be sure to ask the vet about ongoing treatment or medication, such as flea medicine, which you will be responsible for administering to your puppy.
  2. Food such as chocolate and drinks such as alcohol or coffee can be deadly to dogs. Do your research and keep toxic foods out of reach so that your puppy does not accidentally eat these hazardous meals. [4]
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Care for a Sick Puppy
    Dogs can become ill or depressed if they do not get enough exercise or time outside. Certain puppy breeds will require more exercise than others, so be sure to do research about your specific dog type and learn their needs. [5]
  4. In order to prevent sickness in the future, be sure to take your puppy to the veterinarian for regular check-ups and vaccines. Allow your veterinarian to determine the vaccination schedule for your dog, as this may vary depending on dog breed and size, and the area where you live. [6]
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Care for a Sick Puppy
    Clean your dog's teeth daily, give it regular baths, and groom it each month so that its hair stays out of its line of vision. Be sure to clip your puppy's toenails to keep the puppy comfortable and prevent accidental scratching.
    • If your puppy begins itching behind its ears more than usual, check the ears for potential pests, such as ticks, that may be hiding there. If you notice redness or unusual discharge inside the ear, take your puppy to the vet to be checked for an ear infection.
    • As a general rule, you should bathe your puppy whenever it becomes noticeably oily, smelly, or dirty. Bathing your puppy every week may dry out and damage its skin and fur, unless you are using a very gentle, high-quality shampoo.
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      References

      1. ↑ http://www.today.com/news/tips-help-your-dog-deal-life-changes-wbna49196141
      2. ↑ https://www.bluecross.org.uk/advice/dog/caring-for-your-sick-dog
      3. ↑ http://www.dogster.com/lifestyle/12-dog-health-emergencies-immediate-veterinary-attention-ask-a-vet
      4. ↑ http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/general-pet-care/vaccinations-your-pet
      5. ↑ http://thebark.com/content/how-much-exercise-does-your-dog-need
      6. ↑ http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/general-pet-care/vaccinations-your-pet

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To care for a sick puppy, encourage it to lie down by placing some toys in its bed or crate. Additionally, speak in a soft voice to help it calm down. You should also offer your puppy small amounts of water to keep it hydrated while it recovers. If your puppy is vomiting or has diarrhea, feed it white meat, like chicken or fish, with white rice. Make sure to take your puppy to the vet if it fails to recover after a day or two, or if it has difficulty breathing. For tips on how to transport your puppy safely to the vet's office, read on!

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