Puppy Illnesses

It has come to our attention that an alarming number of dog and puppy owners aren’t aware of dangerous illnesses and diseases that our canine friends can get. I’ve mentioned the dangers of Parvo to several of our puppy owners and was hit with the response, “what is that?” 
Your puppy’s immune system is incredibly vulnerable until he is fully vaccinated. The first vaccine your puppy gets is referred to as Distemper, or DAPP Combo. It is a combination vaccine that protects against several diseases. Mahner Labs puppies will not leave our home with any of these diseases, we have a strict policy with visitors and that is also why we don’t allow meets before 6 weeks of age. However, puppies can pick these illnesses up simply by going on a walk. 
Canine Parvovirus: (Parvo) is an illness that has a very high mortality rate for unvaccinated dogs and puppies. What is even worse, is that it is a resilient virus. It can survive extreme cold and hot temperatures, and can remain in the ground for years. It will reinfect each and every dog and it is why it is one of the biggest fears for breeders. It will wipe out entire litters. This extremely common disease attacks a dog’s intestines. Parvovirus also leads to the inability to absorb important nutrients. Symptoms include bloody diarrhea, vomiting, loss of appetite, and dehydration. 
Canine Distemper: This often fatal viral illness attacks a dog’s nervous, respiratory, and gastrointestinal systems. It also makes dogs more vulnerable to infections like pneumonia and causes neurological dysfunctions over time. Distemper can result in paralysis, seizures, and death. Symptoms of canine distemper include fever, weakness, coughing, poor appetite, weight loss, vomiting, and diarrhea.
These are two of the most common illnesses, but certainly not all, please do your due diligence before bringing your puppy home.