What Are the Diseses Dogs Can Get in Puppy Mills?

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals defines a puppy mill as "a large-scale commercial dog breeding operation where profit is given priority." The puppies being produced for sale by these establishments are often susceptible to a number of serious disorders that can spread quickly in overcrowded facilities where unsanitary conditions are present.

  1. Parvovirus

    • Canine parvovirus, often referred to as "parvo," is a highly contagious viral disease that infects the cells of the dog, including intestinal cells, bone marrow cells and lymph system cells. It is the most common infectious disorder of dogs in the United States, according to the Doctors Foster and Smith Pet Education website. Parvo spreads through contact with feces containing the virus. If a puppy mill has been infected with parvovirus, it is difficult to rid the facilities of the virus, which is able to survive for five months or longer on items such as food bowls and cage floors, and which is resistant to many disinfectants. The most common symptoms of parvo are diarrhea, vomiting and bloody stools. It is treated with supportive therapy, including intravenous fluids and antibiotics. Puppies can be vaccinated against parvovirus beginning at 6 to 8 weeks of age.

    Distemper

    • Distemper is a serious disease caused by a paramyxovirus, similar to the one that causes measles in humans. Distemper attacks the respiratory and gastrointestinal systems of a dog, affecting a large number of organs, including the brain, eyes and skin. Puppies under the age of 6 months are extremely susceptible to the disease. Highly contagious, distemper can spread rapidly in a facility where many dogs are present. Early symptoms include watery eye discharge, fever, nasal discharge, coughing and lethargy. No specific drug is available to treat distemper, and treatment is largely supportive. According to Doctors Foster and Smith Pet Education, death rates for this disease can be as high as 75 percent. The disease is easily preventable with a simple vaccination.

    Giardia

    • Giardia is a protozoan parasite frequently occurring in the small intestines of dogs that come from puppy mills. A dog becomes infected after it eats the cyst form of the parasite, which may be present in areas contaminated with feces of dogs already infected with giardia. The cysts are able to live for several weeks to months in wet and cold environments. The parasite can be eliminated with disinfectant and bleach, which needs to be done frequently in an environment where numerous dogs are housed. Symptoms of giardia include weight loss, inability to gain weight, diarrhea and vomiting. Giardia is treatable with medicine, most commonly metronidazole.