By Dial A Vet Veterinary Team
Puppies get sick faster than adult dogs. A young pup with vomiting and diarrhoea can become dangerously dehydrated within a day, and a small breed puppy that skips meals can drop its blood sugar to the point of seizures. Several of the most serious puppy diseases, including parvovirus, distemper, and leptospirosis, are preventable with vaccination, yet they still turn up in Australian clinics every week, especially in puppies that have not finished their course. This guide explains seven conditions every new puppy owner should know, how they show up, and when a puppy needs a vet urgently.
Key takeaways
- Vomiting, diarrhoea, lethargy, or not eating in a puppy needs a same-day vet check, and often sooner.
- Parvovirus, distemper, and infectious hepatitis are covered by the core C3 vaccine. A C5 adds canine cough protection.
- Puppies are not fully protected until they finish their vaccine course, usually at around 16 weeks or later.
- Regular worming from a young age protects puppies and the people they live with.
- Toy breed puppies can develop low blood sugar quickly if they miss meals.
1. Parvovirus
A tough virus that survives in the environment for months and attacks the gut and bone marrow. Signs include vomiting, foul-smelling or bloody diarrhoea, lethargy, and refusing food. Puppies need intensive hospital care with fluids and nursing. Many survive with treatment, but untreated parvo is often fatal. See parvo in dogs.
2. Distemper
A virus that can affect the eyes, nose, lungs, gut, skin, and nervous system. Early signs look like a cold, with eye and nose discharge and coughing, and can progress to twitching and seizures. There is no cure, only supportive care, which is why vaccination matters. More in distemper in dogs and puppies.
3. Canine cough (kennel cough)
A contagious respiratory infection caused by several bacteria and viruses. Puppies have a harsh, honking cough, sometimes with a gag. Most recover, but very young puppies can develop pneumonia. Laboured breathing, fever, or not eating needs prompt care.
4. Intestinal worms
Roundworms and hookworms are passed from mother to pups before birth and through milk. Puppies may have a pot belly, poor growth, diarrhoea, or pale gums from blood loss with hookworm. Some worms can infect people, particularly children. Your vet will recommend a worming schedule.
5. Giardia and coccidia
Single-celled gut parasites that cause soft, mucusy, or smelly diarrhoea, especially in puppies from breeders, shelters, or pet shops. A faecal test confirms them. Treatment and cleaning the environment help prevent reinfection.
6. Leptospirosis
A bacterial infection spread in the urine of rats and other animals, found in parts of Australia including recent outbreaks in Sydney. It damages the kidneys and liver and can infect people. Signs include lethargy, vomiting, increased thirst, and yellow gums. Vaccination is available and recommended in at-risk areas. See leptospirosis in dogs.
7. Low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia)
Toy breed puppies such as Chihuahuas, Maltese, and Yorkshire terriers have little energy reserve. Missing meals, getting cold, stress, or gut illness can drop their blood sugar, causing weakness, trembling, wobbliness, and seizures. See hypoglycaemia in puppies and small dogs.
When to see a vet
Emergency, go now: bloody diarrhoea, repeated vomiting, a puppy that is flat or cold, pale gums, seizures, trembling with weakness, laboured breathing, or a puppy that has not eaten and is very small.
Same day: any vomiting or diarrhoea in an unvaccinated puppy, a cough with lethargy or reduced appetite, eye and nose discharge, or a puppy off its food for more than a meal or two.
Book a visit: mild soft stools in a bright, eating puppy that last more than a day, a pot belly, or poor growth.
How vets typically help
A vet examines your puppy, checks hydration and temperature, and may run a rapid parvovirus test, a faecal test, or blood tests. Treatment depends on the cause and can range from worming and diet advice to hospital care with intravenous fluids, anti-nausea medicine, and nutrition support. Early care is often the difference between a short illness and a long hospital stay.
Prevention
- Follow your vet's vaccination schedule and do not skip the final puppy vaccine.
- Avoid dog parks, pet shop floors, and unknown dogs until your vet says your puppy is protected. Puppy classes that require vaccination are usually fine.
- Worm regularly and use flea and heartworm prevention.
- Feed small, frequent meals to toy breeds and keep them warm.
- Clean up faeces promptly and wash hands after handling puppies.
FAQ
When is my puppy fully vaccinated?
Protection is usually complete about two weeks after the final puppy vaccine, typically given at around 16 weeks or older. Your vet will confirm.
Is canine influenza a risk in Australia?
Canine influenza is not known to be established in Australia. Canine cough, caused by other viruses and bacteria, is common.
Can my puppy catch parvo from my yard?
Yes, if an infected dog has been there. The virus survives for a long time. See disinfecting your home after parvo.
My puppy has diarrhoea but seems happy. Should I worry?
Watch closely and call your vet. If vomiting, blood, lethargy, or loss of appetite appear, go in the same day.
Talk with a vet
New puppy owners often have questions that do not need a clinic visit, and some that do. A vet at Dial A Vet can help you decide which is which. A flat, vomiting, or bleeding puppy needs to be seen in person straight away.
References
- WSAVA. Guidelines for the vaccination of dogs and cats.
- Merck Veterinary Manual. Canine parvovirus; canine distemper; leptospirosis.
- Australian Veterinary Association. Vaccination of dogs and cats.
- CDC. Healthy pets, healthy people: zoonotic parasites.
- RSPCA Australia Knowledgebase. Puppy vaccinations and worming.
Disclaimer: Educational only. This page does not replace an examination by a veterinarian. Puppies can become seriously ill quickly, so seek care early.
