Is a new puppy's URI contagious to my older dog with heartworms?

Heartworm disease is contagious but has to go through a mosquito and cannot be transmitted from dog to dog directly. Tracheal disease, a hernia, allergic airway disease and for the most part heart disease are not contagious. Fungal disease can be contagious in some situations. Hope this helps!

It sounds like Remy may be more irritable than usual because he's been confined and isn't feeling well - this is common in dogs, just like it is in people. So, he may not be feeling very tolerant of puppy antics right now. It's likely that he's acting aggressive towards the puppy now as a kind of preemptive defense - he's used to having to growl and snap at the puppy for the past couple of weeks, so it's becoming a bit of a habit. I would recommend making sure that Remy has plenty of room to avoid the puppy if he wants to - if needed, you may need to keep the puppy on-leash or in a separate room with a baby gate between them. Praise and reward Remy with treats if you can, whenever the puppy is nearby. Also praise any friendly behavior like sniffing or tail wagging when the puppy approaches. As long as you manage things carefully to avoid letting the puppy bother him while he's ill, I would expect their relationship to return to normal once he's feeling better.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding your potential new dog. The biggest issue with a heartworm positive dog is she will need strict rest throughout her treatment especially after she is given the medication to kill the adult worms. She should have x-rays of her chest as well as blood and urine testing prior to starting treatment to determine the extent of her disease. Because she will need to be kept quiet, it may make introductions with your current dog easier. She should be used to a crate coming the the shelter, so she will be able to kept separate. This will allow them both time to get used to each other. You can allow them to meet on neutral territory and keep them separate in the home until they are more comfortable with each other. Good luck!

I would keep the new dog separated from your old dog as mites are contagious. The ivermectin injection should take care of the mites, however sometimes it takes two or three injections to completely eliminate mites. I would say 3 weeks are probably enough to keep them separate. The doxy will likely eliminate both the Ehrlichiosis and Anaplasmosis within 30 days and your dog should feel much better soon. All these diseases are very hard on your dog, so sleeping is normal. He needs to rest to heal.

Hello, my name is Dr. Elizabeth and I am happy to help. I hate to hear D was sick but it sounds like he is improving, which is great. And congrats on the new puppy, how exciting! I think your concern is warranted as you don't want the new puppy to get sick. In general, pets are considered not contagious if they haven't been coughing for a week. Or once they start antibiotics, generally they will not be contagious (assuming they respond well as expected) within a week into therapy. These are generalized assumptions but keep in mind, every pet is different. Personally, I would want the antibiotic on board for 10 days AND no coughing for 10 days before I would bring home a puppy. I would also clean the house really well including washing all dogs beds/blankets, vacuuming and mopping to decrease bacteria and viruses in the environment. If possible, have the breeder go ahead and give the Bordetella vaccine (ideally a week or longer ) before the new puppy is due to arrive at your house. I hope this helps and please feel free to reach out any time!

Poor puppies! Since the sneezing and mucoid discharge began in all puppies a few days after going to the shelter for their vaccines, a URI seems most likely. The URI could be due to viruses, bacteria, or both, and most URIs require antibiotics for resolution. I recommend taking all of the puppies (all of whom have great names) to the vet for evaluation and likely antibiotics. Until you can get to the vet, keep their nostrils clear with a damp cloth and take them into a steamy bathroom a few times per day to help relieve some congestion. I hope that Bacon, Waffles, Pancakes and Maple all feel better soon!

Thank you for submitting your question. Pixie is adorable! I suspect that he has an upper respiratory infection (viral or bacterial cause) and has now spread it to your adult dog. I would recommend that he sees a veterinarian as he is so young. If he does not require medication, then vaccines and deworming can be discussed. If your older dog is not eating or drinking or if his symptoms worsen, he will need to be seen as well. I would not recommend give any over-the-counter medication at home. I hope this information helps!