Caitlyn loves animals of all species and sizes. Yes, that includes creepy-
crawly bugs and snakes.

Finding puppies can be alarming to those who don’t know what to do. Here are a
few things you can do to help them.

I Found a Puppy, What Do I Do?

At any moment, one could stumble upon a box of puppies someone has carelessly
dumped on the side of the road, not concerned with whether or not someone
might save them. Thankfully, there are people in the world who care about
their safety, but sometimes they might not know what to do with a box of
wriggling puppies.

Here is a checklist of seven things to do when a puppy is found. Of course,
getting it to a veterinarian is extremely important, so be sure to do that as
soon as possible. The vet can assess how old they are, if there are any issues
you may be unable to see or feel yourself, and can advise the best course of
action.

What to Do When You Find Abandoned Puppies

• Don’t panic!
• Get them somewhere warm and dry.
• Check them for wounds or illness.
• Check for canine parvovirus.
• Check for distemper.
• Determine age for food and water options.
• Check for dehydration and anemia.
• Check for parasites like fleas, ticks, and worms.
• Check for intestinal worms.
• Give them love and care.

Don’t Panic!

One of the most important things to not do when in this situation is panic.
Like other emergency situations, people will panic and waste precious time
that could be used to get things taken care of.

Quickly load them up in the car, or if you are unable to do so, call a family
member or trusted friend who can take them home and get them off the street.
The sooner they are taken in, the sooner care can begin and the higher the
chance that everyone will make it. Every second counts!

Get Them Somewhere Warm and Dry

Getting them inside a house is the most important thing. Puppies can easily
die or become seriously ill if they are left outside without a mother for too
long. Puppies can fall quickly to chill or heat, much like human babies.
Wrapping them in a blanket or placing them in a warm room of the house will
keep them from becoming too cold, and will also allow ample time to check them
over.

Check Them for Wounds or Illness

Once they are inside and safe from the elements, the next step is checking
them over for cuts, broken limbs, or other injuries. Puppies, much like human
babies, can become ill very easily, so check for any runny noses, coughing,
sneezing, loss of appetite, or vomiting from them. If they have any symptoms,
be sure to keep them away from the other animals in the house. It is crucial
for puppies to eat and drink, so if they won’t then they need to be taken to a
vet right away.

Two illnesses that puppies are especially susceptible to are canine parvovirus
(parvo, for short) and distemper. Both are highly contagious, which means if
one puppy has it, the rest will either have it soon or already do. Puppies who
are very small or who are really young are at the highest risk of not
surviving, so they need to be taken to the vet right away. Parvo and distemper
can wipe out whole litters easily.

Canine Parvovirus

There are two types of parvovirus: intestinal and cardiac. The intestinal
variety is the most common and often leads to anorexia in the affected puppy
while the cardiac attacks the heart muscle and leads to a much faster death
than the intestinal.

Symptoms of intestinal parvo in puppies include:

• Vomiting
• Fever/hypothermia
• Severe weight loss
• Lethargy
• Severe bloody diarrhea

Oftentimes, dogs will also stop eating and then eventually stop drinking
water. They will lay around and refuse to get up. Puppies will sleep a lot and
have none of that energy they are known for.

Be sure to get them vaccinated against the virus (as well as distemper) as
soon as the vet allows. It is imperative they do not catch these illnesses.

Distemper

Distemper is the other deadly illness puppies can catch. This illness is
extremely contagious, and can be passed through urine, poop, coughing, and
sneezing. Affected puppies or dogs should be isolated to keep the others from
catching it as well and taken to the vet so treatment can be started
immediately.

Signs of distemper include:

• Sneezing
• Coughing
• Runny noses or eyes
• Fever
• Sudden vomiting
• Depression
• Diarrhea
• Loss of appetite

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Determine Age for Food and Water Options

After going over them to check for injuries that need to be tended to right
away and identifying any illnesses, the puppies need to eat and have a drink.
Determining their age will help in figuring out what to feed them and if they
can drink water. Depending on their age, puppies may need milk replacement,
soft puppy food mixed with broth and milk replacement, or solid puppy chow.
Older puppies who eat chow will need clean water to drink.

Check for:

• Open eyes and ears
• Teeth size
• Motor skills

Puppies with control over their movements and good balance, bigger teeth, and
open eyes can probably chew food and lap water from a small bowl, whereas
younger pups with smaller teeth or no teeth, closed eyes, and unsure movements
will need a bottle and milk or soft puppy food. Be sure to keep an eye on the
puppies when they eat to make sure everyone gets a chance to eat (sometimes
the little ones get pushed aside by the bigger ones).

Younger puppies will need to eat every few hours, while older ones can eat a
little less frequently. Water should be available to them all the time. Just
watch that they don’t choke or snort it up their noses as this can lead to
pneumonia.

Check for Dehydration and Anemia

Dehydration and anemia can be dangerous for anyone, but for puppies, it can be
especially life-threatening. Puppies suffering from either of these won’t last
long without treatment, so it is important to check for signs and begin care
at home right away.

Signs of dehydration include:

• Loss of skin elasticity
• Unusually dry nose and gums
• Panting
• Reduced energy levels

To test skin elasticity, gently pinch the skin on the back of the puppies’
neck and see how quickly it snaps back in place. If it takes a long time to go
back to normal then they are dehydrated.

Minor dehydration can be treated at home with water or Pedialyte. Puppies with
severe dehydration will need a vet’s help.

Anemia is also extremely dangerous, so if the puppies have any symptoms, it is
best to get them to a vet as quickly as possible. There are supplements in
many stores that carry pet supplies that can help with less severe anemia, but
it is still best to have a vet check them over anyway.

Signs of anemia include:

• Fatigue
• Depression
• Pale pink or white gums
• Dark or bloody stool (poop)
• Bloody vomit

Check for Parasites Like Fleas, Ticks, and Worms

Another important thing to check for is any little parasites. Fleas and ticks
are easy to spot as they crawl along the skin. They can be especially
dangerous to malnourished puppies as they are taking away essential nutrients
through the blood. Treating puppies can be tricky as younger puppies are not
able to take medicine or endure flea/tick treatments. Bathing them frequently,
treating the larger animals in the home, and using safe treatments such as
Diatomaceous Earth (of the food-grade variety) can help kick the fleas and
ticks. Be sure to pick off any ticks and throw them in a toilet or sink. Do
not just throw them on the ground.

Note: Be sure not to make their bathwater too hot or cold, and dry them
quickly afterward to avoid them catching a chill and dying. Using Dawn brand
dish soap to wash them is great as it dissolves the shells of fleas and kills
them.

To use the Diatomaceous Earth, simply rub the powder over their bodies, let it
sit for four hours (the longer the better), and then bathe them. Do that
weekly until the fleas are gone.

Note : Diatomaceous earth is also great for preventing worms when
consumed. Always consult with a vet before feeding it to any animals in the
home.

Intestinal Worms

Another deadly parasite puppies often have, but that is harder to spot, is
intestinal worms. There are a variety of worms, but they all generally cause a
bloated belly in puppies. If they waddle around and look almost like pregnant
dogs, then chances are they have quite a few worms in their belly.

Most puppies are born with worms regardless, so it is normal for them to have
them, but if not treated quickly they can quickly drain the puppy of nutrients
and lead to death. It is important to have them tested by a vet so that they
can determine what kinds of worms the puppy has and treat them properly.

There are four kinds of worms:

• Hookworms
• Roundworms
• Tapeworms
• Whipworms

Roundworms and hookworms can be seen in the puppy’s poop, so be sure to take a
look after they use the bathroom. When they begin treatment, they will often
have upset stomachs and plenty of diarrhea. Keep an eye on the smaller puppies
in the litter, and make sure everyone gets plenty of fresh water, as diarrhea
can lead to dehydration.

Give Them Love and Care

Above all else, after they are warm and fed, getting them to a vet is very
important. Even if the puppies seem healthy, there can be illnesses or
diseases not obvious to the eye. With special care and plenty of love,
abandoned pups can grow into wonderful family friends!

Sources

• PetMD
• Pets WebMD (pets.webmd.com)

This article is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge. It
is not meant to substitute for diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription,
or formal and individualized advice from a veterinary medical professional.
Animals exhibiting signs and symptoms of distress should be seen by a
veterinarian immediately.

© 2019 Caitlyn Booth

Comments

The Little Shaman from Macon, GA on January 29, 2019:

Excellent info!