Our dogs are furry members of our family and their health is of the utmost importance to all of us! Sometimes we might behave like hypochondriacs, worrying over every little thing that’s different in our pets behavior and day to day routines. If you’re worried at all about your pet’s health, schedule a vet appointment to get the peace of mind you need. If you want some quick tips on how to tell if dog is sick, then read on, Acoma Animal Clinic has you covered.
How to Tell if Your Dog is Sick
Vomiting and Diarrhea
These are the most common two reasons to seek out vet help and they’re clear indications that something is up. The causes can range from critical, or mild and quickly passing but either way they need to be addressed by your vet. These could be caused by diet changes, getting into the garbage, or an infection or eating something that’s nondigestible.
Changes in Urination Frequency
Dogs who have been properly potty trained don’t tend to break their training all of the sudden. Look out for a few signs to be sure, especially in a senior dog:
- Straining to urinate
- Changes in urine amount
- Blood in the urine
These all can point to the underlying cause of your dogs illness and being able to tell your vet about them will give you a better path to recovery.
Changes in Appetite & Drinking
Dogs tend to have their eating habits pretty locked in, though they may vary how much the eat some days over others. What to really be on a lookout for is appetite loss. It can be a symptom of mild and serious problems and should be taken seriously.
The same goes for how much water they drink. Drinking too little water may just mean they’re not feeling well, while drinking too much is an indication that your pet is trying to fix something themselves, a fever or handling diabetes or worse. Keep an eye on your pet’s water intake to have a clear idea of where they are at.
Unexplained Weight Loss or Gain
Sudden changes in weight is often a sign of an underlying health issue. It can be caused by a wide variety of issues. Note it and schedule an appointment with your vet right away.
Changes in Personality
Think about how you feel whenever you’re getting sick? You’re probably moody, tired, irritable? Right? It can be the same way for your pup. A dog who is ill may be aggressive, snippy, or growl. Pay attention to these behavioral changes and make note of them to talk to your vet about.
Coughing, Wheezing, or Trouble Breathing
Another common set of symptoms are coughing, wheezing, or trouble breathing. These are all symptoms of some sort of respiratory problem, just like in people! Canine flu, kennel cough, or there may be more significant causes such as heart failure.
If your dog is experiencing any trouble breathing – you got it, get yourself to the vet!
Mobility Issues
Limping, trouble walking or standing can all point to serious problems including joint issues, infections, broken bones, arthritis or more. Minimize your pets activity and see if the symptom is mild. If it is, and everything else is normal, your dog may just need a rest day to get over a minor injury. But, of course, if you’re worried or suspect something worse see your veterinarian.
If you are noticing any of these common signs of sickness, get on the phone with your vet and schedule an appointment. Even if it’s something minor you’ll be much happier you made the call and you and your furry friend can get back to recovering.
