How to Care For a Sick Puppy

By eHow Pets Editor

Instructions

Things You’ll Need:

Veternarian
Puppy bed
Quarintined area
Sufficent funds (some illnesses can become quit costly)

Step 1:
If you detect that your puppy has fallen ill, the first thing you must do is call the veterinarian and make an appointment. Some illnesses that puppies can fall ill from may cause death, so you do not want to wait any longer than you have to in order to get them the help they need.
Step 2:
After you have called the vet, consider calling the place you bought the puppy from. Most pet shops have health guarantees and warranties on puppies, so you may not have too cover the cost of the vet bill all by yourself. Also, some pet shops have their own vets and they might suggest you bring the puppy back to get it examined there at the shop. Be aware that this is also a fraud mechanism so that they do not have to cover the cost of the actual vet bill. If you feel that the puppy is still sick after a visit that has a pet store veterinarian checking out the puppy, pursue a vet from an animal hospital.
Step 3:
There are a couple of things that can happen at the veterinarian office. They may suggest, depending on the severity of the illness and the puppy's condition, that the puppy stay at the hospital for fluids and observation. Most often when this happens, they will keep the dog for the entire business day and then have you pick the puppy up before closing. The reason for that is because puppies are so vulnerable and need lots of tender loving care. The veterinarian will most likely give you medicine to give the puppy while at home and suggest to continue the regiment of medication or bring the dog back in the next day for more fluids and observation. Please understand, some illnesses such as Parvo, can leave a puppy very ill and left in the hospital for weeks.
Step 4:
While the puppy is at home, getting better, you must make sure to give the medication that was provided by the veterinarian. Make sure that you have plenty of food and water and keep a constant eye on your puppy. If you notice the puppy not eating and drinking, you will have to manually do it for them, either through a bottle or spoon feed them via your finger. There are numerous types of food that the veterinarian can give you that is almost like a goo, that will help your puppy maintain its sugar level so it does not become hypo-glycemic. Also cuddle with your puppy. They are just like an ill human, when you want to be kept cared of and loved. Make sure you do the same for you puppy. Though be mindful, there are some illnesses that puppies can get such as giardia, that can be passed on to humans via there feces from your hand, the floor, or their mouth from licking their private areas. So make sure to consult the veterinarian before you get too close to them. Always keep their area clean, so they do not continue to get the same illness. Most importantly always wash your hands and keep other animals mostly, puppies or dogs that are not vaccinated away from them until the vet gives you the okay that the puppy is better.
Step 5:
Finally, to make sure that this does not happen again. Make sure that when the puppy is better, you get them all of there vaccinations. There are many places that will give them shots for free such as the animal shelter. You also want to make sure that until your puppy is fully vaccinated, you do not let other dogs around them or people. Puppy viruses can be carried on our hands and obviously through other dogs that have not been treated. Furthermore when you take your puppy to the bathroom you are going to want to take them to the same spot and do not let them wander. I can guarantee if you follow these steps you will keep a happy and healthy puppy...

Tips & Warnings

The money and time is worth it to get your puppy healthy.
I am not a veternarian, so make sure if your puppy falls ill, that you do take your pet to the vet.

Resources

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