Diarrhea usually results in dehydration, which can lead to death. Viral diarrhea is easily spread, because billions of viral particles remain in the loose, watery stool of an infected dog. Adult dogs generally survive viral diarrhea. But in puppies with diarrhea the loss of fluids and other complications can easily be fatal. Dogs can be protected from viral diarrhea with vaccines against parvovirus and coronavirus.
Combination vaccines are also available.
In puppies, several vaccinations are required three to four weeks apart, because of the presence of maternal antibodies. When your dog is exposed to sick dogs at a kennel or dog show, it can catch kennel cough. Canine respiratory disease isn't usually fatal unless pneumonia develops. But it can cause appetite loss, lack of energy, and poor appearance, in addition to the coughing. When infected dogs cough, disease-causing organisms get into the air and can easily infect other dogs.