Sick Dog Symptoms

To many animal lovers, a beloved dog is just like a member of the family. Unfortunately, unlike other members of the family, when dogs get sick they can’t speak to explain to us how they’re feeling. Instead, it’s up to the responsible dog owner to pay attention to their dog’s health, and know how to recognize sick dog symptoms of illness.

One symptom that often indicates sickness in a dog is a change in the dog’s behavior or personality. Sometimes sick dogs will seem to lose interest in their favorite activities, preferring to lie around or sleep instead. A sick dog might seem excited to go out for a walk, but then tire out more quickly than usual.

Dogs may act more aggressive, shy, or irritable then normal when experiencing discomfort. Pacing and unusual restlessness can also mean that the dog is in pain. If changes in personality or behavior seem to persist for more than a day or two, or are paired with any physical symptoms, it’s probably time to call the vet.

Another common sign of a sick dog is changes in how much the dog eats or drinks. Refusing food can be a sign of many serious illnesses, and can be especially damaging to the health of young dogs.

Drinking much more water and urinating much more often than usual are symptoms that may seem harmless, but actually might indicate serious problems including kidney trouble and diabetes. If you suspect that your dog is drinking water excessively, it’s important to go to the vet as soon as possible.

A dog who seems to be having trouble urinating may also be very ill, and should go to the vet immediately. A swollen belly is another sign that a dog may be sick, as is the appearance of blood in vomit, stool or urine.

Along with these symptoms, anything that would indicate illness in a human is likely to also indicate illness in a dog. Vomiting or diarrhea that occurs repeatedly is generally a sign of illness. So is fainting, coughing, fever, bruising, or any discoloration of the skin.

Many dog owners ignore bite wounds inflicted by other animals, because they think that their dog will recover from their injuries on their own. This is a mistake, as such wounds may be more serious than they appear, and can easily become infected.

Whenever a dog exhibits symptoms of illness, it’s important for dog owners to use their own best judgment. You are the one who knows your dog best. If you suspect that your dog might be sick, take him or her to the vet as soon as possible. Our dogs love us unconditionally, and in return we need to give them all the care that they deserve.

Source:

Primovic, Debra. ” 21 Symptoms You Should Never Ignore in Your Dog.” Petplace.com. Intelligent Content Corp, Web. 24 Nov 2009.

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Even with a healthy diet, all of their required vaccinations and regular checkups at the vet, having a sick animal is an unavoidable experience. Like all living things, your dog will at some point feel under the weather and will need some medical assistance. As a good pet owner, it is your responsibility to make sure your pet gets the medical attention they deserve as soon as they begin experiencing symptoms.

If you feed your dog at scheduled times it is easy to tell when their appetite has changed. It is also important to know what your pet’s normal weight is, so you can tell if they have experienced any sudden weight gains or losses.

Another early sign that there is something wrong is any vomiting, diarrhea, or strange color in their urine. If your pet is experiencing a change in their stools and haven’t changed their diet recently then they could have ate something which made them ill, which is usually normal. Bloody, cloudy, or diluted urine is also a sign of a bladder or kidney infection. If the condition lasts several days, it is important to have a vet check them out.

A dog’s nose should be cold and wet, not warm, dry, or runny. If they are experiencing any changes in the color of their gums, drooling, or breath it could also be a concerning issue. Any sudden changes in the nose or mouth should be reported to your veterinarian to be assessed by a professional.

The number one most obvious way to tell if your dog is sick is by observing its activity level. If your dog is usually fairly active and you are suddenly seeing them lying down and being withdrawn, it is a good indication that they may be ill. If their breathing or panting has increased or slowed to a rate that has your worried, it is better to get it checked out then to act like nothing is wrong.

Getting medical attention right away when you suspect something is wrong is the best thing to do for your dog. Waiting for treatment can cause your dogs condition to increase in seriousness and in some cases, end up being fatal. Keeping up with vet checkups and staying observant of your dog will keep them happy and healthy for a long time.

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