Puppies only have two speeds - fast, or fast asleep. They run around and play until they're exhausted, then sleep so deeply, they barely seem to breathe. Because of this, you can usually tell when your puppy isn't feeling well. He won't be so active, and won't feel much like playing with you. He'll sleep a lot more than usual, and be very listless when you try and wake him.
What other indicators are there that can tell you that your pup is sick?
Puppies usually have a very good appetite. They eat everything, including some things that aren't part of a pup's balanced diet; shoes and teddy bears come to mind. If your pup doesn't want to eat his dinner, it may be a sign that something is wrong. Keep an eye on his water intake too, as excessive drinking can also indicate a problem.
It's hard to miss when your pup is vomiting. This may have a very simple cause, such as eating something he shouldn't have, or it may be associated with a more serious viral disease such as parvovirus.
Diarrhea is also very obvious, and common causes include viral infections and intestinal worms. Blood in the diarrhea can be particularly serious. Because pups are so little and may dehydrate quickly when they lose body fluids through vomiting and diarrhea, make sure to call the vet immediately.
There is an old wives' tale that suggests that if your pup has a warm nose, he isn't well. That's not strictly true. His nose should be moist, but whether it is warm or not isn't particularly important. However, there should be no discharge from his nose, and he shouldn't be sneezing or coughing. These symptoms can mean he has a respiratory infection such as canine cough.
Lift your pup's lip and look at his gums. They should be a nice pink color. When you press the gums until they go white, and release your finger, they should become pink again within one or two seconds. This is a good indicator of your pup's circulation. Pale gums can indicate anemia, commonly associated with heavy flea or hookworm burdens. If it takes a little while for his gums to become pink again, it can indicate his circulation isn't as good as it should be.
Lift the skin between your pup's shoulder blades, and let it go. It should return to its usual position quickly and smoothly. If the skin remains tented, or it is very slow to return to normal, it indicates he may be dehydrated, and may need intravenous fluids.
Some people like to measure their pup's heart rate, respiratory rate and temperature, to make sure they're well. Your pup should take around 30 breaths per minute; it's easy to watch his chest rise and fall as he breathes. There are two ways to measure his heart rate. Firstly, you can put a finger on the lower left side of his chest and feel his heart beating. Alternatively you can put two fingers on the inside of his thigh, right up the top where it joins his body. You should be able to feel his pulse in his femoral artery. This method may take a little practice. A pup's heart rate can be up to 120 beats per minute.
The only accurate way to take a pup's temperature is rectally. His normal temperature should be 101.5 degrees Fahrenheit. If you don't want to go that far, that's fine. If your pup is bright and alert, playful and eating well, it's quite likely his temperature is normal.
Proper puppy care can be time consuming, but it's important that you check your pup regularly so you become familiar with what's normal for him. By doing this, you'll notice any signs of illness early and be able to have him treated straight away. This will mean not only a quicker recovery, but it's likely to save you money on veterinary expenses.
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