Is Your Puppy Sick? 2025 Vet-Reviewed Early Warning Signs 🐶

By Dr. Duncan Houston BVSc

Puppies instinctively conceal illness—so it falls to attentive caregivers to spot subtle clues that something isn’t right. This guide details early warning signs—ranging from eye/nose issues to behavior and elimination changes—and explains why each matters, 

1. 👁 Eye & Nose Discharge or Irritation

Clear tear staining is often normal, but thick, yellow/green discharge, squinting, pawing, cloudiness or redness—particularly around the eyes—suggests infection, foreign bodies, or distemper.

• Symptoms: watery, crusty, smelly eyes; pawing at face.
• Concern: conjunctivitis, infection, kennel cough, and distemper.
  

2. 🤒 Fever or Abnormal Temperature

Normal puppy temperature is 99–102.5 °F at 4 weeks of age. A resting temperature >103 °F or <99 °F—combined with lethargy, appetite loss, or shivering—could indicate serious illness.

• Check rectally using a pet thermometer.
• Elevated temperature may signal infection; low temperature suggests shock or hypothermia.
• Action: seek vet care immediately.

3. 🍽 Appetite & Thirst Changes

Sudden losses or increases in appetite or water consumption may signal digestive disease, infection, diabetes, or kidney issues.

• Refusal to eat >24 hrs or lack of interest in favorite foods.
• Excessive thirst or begging behavior.
  

4. 💤 Lethargy or Behavior Changes

Puppies are playful by nature—sluggishness, isolation, whimpering, or irritability may indicate pain, infection, or congenital issues.

• Signs: sleeping more, withdrawing, unwilling to play.
• Concern: pain, anemia, heart disease, and early parvo/distemper.
• Action: monitor closely, call vet if no improvement in 24 hrs.

5. 🤢 Vomiting & Diarrhea

While puppies commonly vomit/defecate due to teething or diet changes, persistent vomiting/diarrhea—especially with blood, mucus, or fever—indicates infection (parvo, distemper), parasites, or blockages.

• When mild: feed small bland meals (rice & boiled chicken).
• When serious: blood in stool, multiple vomits per day, dehydration.
• Action: urgent vet visit—especially if fever, pale gums, or weakness.

6. 🚾 Changes in Bathroom Habits

Increased or decreased urination, accidents, straining, or blood in urine can indicate urinary tract infection, kidney issues, diabetes, or congenital malformations.

• Monitor output and ability to urinate/poop normally.
• Action: note frequency/appearance—bring sample to vet.

7. 🐕 Respiratory Signs—Coughing, Sneezing, Breathing Problems

Frequent coughs, honking, sneezing, rattling, or labored breathing may mean kennel cough, pneumonia, distemper, or aspiration pneumonia.

• If the cough lasts >5 days or respiratory distress occurs, seek vet help.
• Calm environment, hydration, and use **Purrz** diffuser to support breathing.

8. 🪶 Weight Loss or Failure to Grow

Regular weigh-ins are vital—unexpected weight loss, failure to gain, or plateau without reason may indicate illness, parasites, or congenital disease.

• Use weekly weigh-ins or body condition scoring.
  

9. 🐛 Skin, Coat, and Ear Issues

Redness, sores, bald patches, itching, scratching, ear odor, head shaking—these may be signs of parasites (fleas/mites), infections, or allergies.

• Inspect coat, skin, and ears weekly.
• Action: Early treatment can prevent infestations or chronic dermatitis.

10. 👣 Neurological Signs & Abnormalities

Persistent shaking, tremors, head tilts, unsteady gait, or seizures are serious red flags pointing to distemper or neurological conditions.

• Monitor onset and pattern—note time, duration.
• Action: An emergency vet visit is essential.

11. ⚠️ Lumps, Bumps, or Bleeding

While less common in puppies, strange lumps, unexplained bleeding, or persistent bad breath could signal congenital tumors, trauma, or dental disease.

• Check skin and gums regularly.
• Action: Any abnormality lasting more than a week should be examined.

12. 📅 The Early Attention Timeline

1. Note the first sign—no matter how small.
   
2. If symptoms grow or last >24 hours, arrange a vet visit.
3. Follow vet treatment, maintain supportive care at home.

13. ✅ Support Tools & Recovery Aids

• Woopf: indoor enrichment to keep your pup calm during recovery.

14. 👩⚕️ When It's an Emergency

Visit your vet or emergency clinic immediately for:**

• Persistent vomiting/diarrhea with blood, fever, or collapse.
• Labored breathing, seizures, or sudden paralysis.
• High/low fevers, dehydration, or inability to stand.

15. ✅ Final Takeaways

• Early detection dramatically improves outcomes for puppies.
• Track changes in appetite, behaviour, elimination, and vital signs.
  
• Stay calm, act quickly—your attentiveness could save your puppy’s life.