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CONTINENTAL KENNEL CLUB (CKC) AMERICAN BLUE GASCON HOUND INFORMATION PAGE

HEALTH

American Blue Gascon Hound puppies rely on their mother’s milk to provide protective antibodies. Approximately two weeks after weaning, their natural immunity begins to diminish; therefore, it is important to bring your puppy to the veterinarian for a check up and vaccination schedule. Vaccines stimulate puppies into producing their own antibodies; so all puppies must be vaccinated in order to protect them from certain diseases. Common diseases include distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parainfluenza, parvovirus, rabies, and coronavirus. Your veterinarian should be notified if you notice a loss in your puppy’s appetite, any vomiting or diarrhea, or persistent coughing.

Parasites can also pose a problem for puppies; they can be either internal or external. Most of the internal parasites live in the puppy’s intestine. Their eggs are usually transmitted through the soil from other infected feces. Some indications of internal parasites include vomiting, diarrhea, blood in the stool, poor appetite, lethargy, or weight loss. Thin spaghetti-like or short rice-like worms are also indications of internal parasites. A veterinarian can examine a sample of the puppy’s feces to detect parasites.

External parasites such as fleas, lice, and ticks, can cause skin damage and can infect a puppy with disease. Lice are small insects that cling to the dog; infection is usually made by contact with other animals or an infected environment. Fleas feed on the puppy’s blood and cause itching. Once a flea is swallowed, it can cause tapeworms. Ticks can transmit Rocky Mountain spotted fever as well as lyme disease. Ear mites can also pose a problem for your puppy; signs include scratching of the ears, shaking of the head, or dark earwax. It is best to seek the advice of your veterinarian to treat parasites, both internal and external.

REFERENCES

De Prisco, Andrew and James B. Johnson. Canine Lexicon. TFH Publications, Inc.: 1993.

Hart, Ernest H. Encyclopedia of Dog Breeds. TFH Publications, Inc.: 1975.

Walkowicz, Chris and Bonnie Wilcox, DVM. Atlas of Dog Breeds of the World. TFH Publications, Inc.: 1991