WHAT IS:

A Congenital defect - Is a defect present or an existing condition. Not all congenital defects are life threatening. Your puppy is guaranteed against Life Threatening Congenital Defects until he is 1 year of age.

A Hereditary defect - Is a defect passed on by the mother (dam) or father (sire). Your puppy is guaranteed against Life Threatening Hereditary Defects until he is 1 year of age.

Hypoglycemia - If your new puppy is lethargic or comatose it may be caused by HYPOGLYCEMIA. This can be a life threatening condition brought on by the stress of its new environment and the resulting lack of nutrition. It is most common in the Yorkshire breed.

New puppies can also be stressed by the lack of sleep and over-handling. They may refuse to eat because their food has changed or they don't know where the food is. Changes in the room temperature may also cause stress to a new puppy. A lifeless or limp lethargic puppy with grayish-blue gums and tongue is another indication of Hypoglycemia. A sub-normal temperature, with the puppy seeming to shiver and shake requires immediate attention. If left untreated the puppy may go in a coma with resulting convulsions and death could be the tragic result if treatment is withheld. Low blood sugar is the cause and the blood glucose level must be raised at once. Care from a Vet is the best choice, but don't wait: every second counts. Mix Corn Syrup (karo) or plain Sugar with equal proportion of water and, using a syringe, feed the pup 10cc orally four times a day. Hypoglycemia, treated in time, should leave no lasting affects as long as the stress is eliminated it shouldn't occur again. I use Nutri-Cal. Please always keep some Nutri-Cal in your house. It can be bought at Petco or PetsMart.

Coccidiosis - Symptoms of coccidiosis are similar to those seen in puppies with giardiasis (see below). The signs include watery or hemorrhagic diarrhea,
dehydration, abdominal tenderness and anorexia. These symptoms may persist for up to 14 days. Unfortunately, these signs are not specific to coccidiosis only. A veterinarian should be consulted if any of the above signs are seen.

Giardia - Giardia is sometimes confused with worms because they invade the gastrointestinal tract and can cause diarrhea. They are not worms; instead, they are one-celled parasites classified as protozoa. Most dogs that are infected with Giardia do not have diarrhea or any other signs of illness. When the eggs (cysts) are found in the stool of a dog without diarrhea, they are generally considered a transient, insignificant finding. However, in puppies they may cause severe, watery diarrhea that may be fatal.

THESE ARE JUST HELPFUL HINTS. PLEASE - ALWAYS CONSULT YOUR VET.