Is Your Puppy Sick?

By Dr. Laura van Dalen

Puppies are playful, curious, and sometimes a little messy. Not every soft stool or quiet moment means something is seriously wrong. However, puppies can also become sick quickly, so it is important to know which signs can wait for a regular veterinary appointment and which signs need immediate attention.

What a Healthy Puppy Usually Looks Like

A healthy puppy should be alert, interested in his surroundings, willing to eat, and able to move normally. He should have normal pink gums, a comfortable attitude, and enough energy to interact with people and his environment.

Puppies sleep a lot, and they can have quiet periods during the day. What matters most is the overall picture: appetite, attitude, hydration, stool, breathing, and whether the puppy seems comfortable.

Go to the Veterinarian Immediately

Some signs should be treated as urgent. Take your puppy to your veterinarian or an emergency veterinary service immediately if your puppy:

Is lethargic and does not respond normally
Refuses to stand up or seems too weak to move
Has completely bloody diarrhea
Has liquid diarrhea, bloody diarrhea, repeated vomiting, and weakness together
Appears severely dehydrated
Has difficulty breathing
Collapses, trembles severely, or seems disoriented
Has gums that are pale, white, gray, blue, or very dark red instead of normal pink

During an emergency, stay calm, call ahead if possible, and go promptly. If your regular veterinarian is closed, contact the closest emergency animal clinic.

Schedule a Veterinary Appointment Soon

Some signs may not be an emergency, but they should still be addressed. Schedule the next available appointment with your veterinarian if your puppy has:

Loose stools for more than one day
A small amount of blood or mucus in the stool
Vomiting more than three times
Refusing food for more than 12 hours
Lethargy that lasts more than a few hours
Coughing, nasal discharge, or eye discharge
Limping for more than one day
Frequent urination, especially if only a few drops come out at a time
Fleas, ticks, intense itching, or a sudden change in coat quality
A potbelly, poor growth, or a puppy who does not seem to be thriving

Puppies can change quickly. If you are unsure whether something can wait, call your veterinarian and describe the symptoms.

Digestive Problems

Mild soft stool can happen when a puppy is adjusting to a new home, new routine, or new stress. However, diarrhea should not be ignored if it continues or becomes more severe.

Soft Stool

If the puppy is bright, eating, and acting normal, soft stool can often be watched briefly. If it continues for more than one day, schedule a veterinary appointment.

Liquid Diarrhea

Liquid diarrhea is more concerning, especially in a young puppy. Call your veterinarian promptly, particularly if the puppy is quiet, weak, or not eating.

Blood or Mucus

A small amount of blood or mucus should be checked at the next available appointment. Completely bloody diarrhea is an emergency.

Vomiting

If your puppy vomits more than three times, he should be seen by a veterinarian as soon as possible. Vomiting combined with weakness or bloody diarrhea is urgent.

Appetite, Energy, and Hydration

A puppy who skips one meal but is otherwise bright may simply be tired, distracted, or adjusting. A puppy who refuses food for more than 12 hours should be seen by a veterinarian.

Lethargy is more serious than simple tiredness. If your puppy is hard to wake, does not want to move, refuses to stand, or seems weak, do not wait.

Dehydration can become dangerous quickly in puppies. If your puppy seems dehydrated, especially with vomiting or diarrhea, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Temperature, Gums, and General Appearance

If you are comfortable taking your puppy’s temperature, a very low or high temperature is a reason to call your veterinarian. A puppy with a temperature below 100°F or above 102°F, especially if acting sick, should be discussed with your veterinarian.

Normal gums should be pink and moist. Pale, white, gray, blue, very dark red, or sticky gums can be a warning sign and should not be ignored.

Excessive drooling, weakness, disorientation, or a puppy who suddenly seems “not right” should be taken seriously.

Other Signs That Need Attention

Not every problem is digestive. Puppies should also be checked by a veterinarian if you notice breathing, skin, urinary, or movement problems.

Coughing or noisy breathing
Nasal or eye discharge
Getting tired much faster than normal
Itching more than usual
A harsh, dull, or suddenly poor coat
Fleas or ticks
Limping for more than one day
Straining to urinate or urinating only a few drops
A potbelly or signs that the puppy is not growing well
Disinterest in people, toys, food, or surroundings

Prepare Before There Is an Emergency

Before you ever need it, keep your veterinarian’s phone number and the closest emergency veterinary clinic’s number easy to find.

When calling, be ready to tell them your puppy’s age, weight, vaccine status, symptoms, how long the symptoms have been happening, and whether the puppy is eating, drinking, vomiting, or having diarrhea.

Calling ahead helps the clinic prepare for your puppy and may save valuable time.

Most puppy concerns are manageable when addressed early. The important thing is to pay attention to the puppy’s overall attitude, appetite, stool, hydration, and comfort.

When in doubt, call your veterinarian. It is always better to ask early than to wait too long.