10 Signs of Illness in Your Dogs
We all are well aware of this fact that just like us, our four legged pet ‘dog’ also comes in contact with the different disease-causing organisms. Seeing a sick dog is really painful for dog lovers.
If you notice any kind of physical or behavioural changes in your dog, then immediately take them to your vet because these may be the signs of sickness. One of the biggest problems with dogs is that they can’t speak out their condition to their master; therefore it is important to understand their need.
Ask your vet about the common diseases found in your dog’s breed and be prepared by acting promptly at the very first stage of their illness. Being aware of these keynotes will definitely prevent your pet from suffering and can even save your beloved’s life.
Here are the 10 signs of illness that can be found in your dogs:
1. Vomiting
There is nothing serious if your dog vomits occasionally as it could happen because of the intake of any foreign material picked up by your pooch during a walk. However, this would be a matter of concern if the vomiting continues to happen for the few times in a single day.
The cause of vomiting can be because of the following reasons like poisoning, gastric ulcers, parasite infections, pancreatitis, liver failure, etc.
Blood in the vomit is something very serious and needs to be checked by the vet as soon as possible. Make sure you provide enough water to your dog when it starts vomiting, this will prevent dehydration and make its condition better.
2. Diarrhea
As seen in the case of vomiting, it is fine for your dog to have diarrhea once in a while. But if the dog is continuously having its watery stool, then it is quite clear that your dog is not well.
If the diarrhea is accompanied by fever or vomiting, then there is an immediate need to take your pooch to the vet. Having blood in the watery stool can indicate clear signs of food poisoning, ingestion of a foreign body, gastrointestinal illnesses, etc.
It is recommended to take a fresh sample of watery stool before going to the vet as it may help him to understand your pooch’s condition in a better way.
3. Coughing or Honking
If you notice your pooch having persistent coughing along with labored breathing without performing any vigorous activity, then it is not a good sign as these symptoms indicate a number of health problems including chest infection, cold, allergies or respiratory problems. It should be noted that a normal dog should breath 15 to 20 times per minute at rest.
You must check the color of your dog’s tongue if you find him struggling to breathe properly. In case you notice bluish tint instead of pink, immediately consult your vet. Similarly for severe coughing taking your pet to the vet would be the best option for quick recovery.
4. Change in Appetite
Keeping an eye on your pet’s food intake is a compulsory job for every pet owner. Check your pets feeding bowl or pet feeding dispenser often to find out if it is eating in a regular manner. Change in Appetite may happen because of the various issues like cold, fever, stress or more. But if an increase or decrease in your furry friend’s appetite leads to its weight gain or loss, then this indicates a serious illness. The problems which result in the change in appetite are liver failure, cancer, dental disease and various infections.
Therefore if you find your pooch eating a lot of food or eating a lot less, then there is a strong need to contact your vet.
As like food, keep an eye on the water intake of your pet too because it could also indicate a serious illness issue.
5. High Body Temperature
A fever is a clear sign of illness. If you suspect a fever in your pooch’s body, get a more accurate temperature using the digitalized thermometer designed for dogs.
The normal body temperature of dogs ranges between 101 and 102.5 Fahrenheit. If you notice higher temperature in your dog, it certainly means he has a fever. It should be noted that the temperature above 104.5 degrees F along with heat strokes may lead to a life-threatening emergency. Therefore care should be taken.
Consult your vet in case your dog feels high body temperature along with other signs of illness like shivering, vomiting, cough or cold. Use antibiotics or other treatments to clear up the source of infection which is causing it.
6. Excessive Scratching
Excessive scratching may happen because of the parasites like fleas, ticks, etc. It can also be the result of some allergic reactions happening in the environment. Dogs also scratch their bodies when they suffer from stress or anxiety.
Hormonal problems, as well as fungal infections, create an itchy sensation which leads to scratching. This problem can be solved by giving a daily bath to your dog and by maintaining a proper hygiene. Don’t forget to take your dog to the vet on regular basis for better results.
7. Prolonged Lethargy
The consistent drop in your pooch’s energy level is not a healthy sign. Prolonged Lethargy is a strong symbol that indicates the sickness in your pet. Prolonged Lethargy gets worse when it combines with general weakness and reduced exercise tolerance. Several severe health conditions including heart disease, cough, heartworm disease, liver disease and diabetes are the cause of lethargy.
Your pooch needs a check-up at your vet’s place in case of experiencing high energy level or low energy level in its body.
8. Bad Breath
Bad breath is a sign of an oral problem. This problem is caused by the bacteria which synchronizes plaque on your pet’s teeth. It is recommended to find the exact cause of bad breath and take the measures as soon as possible because the bacteria, if not treated timely, may lead to some serious respiratory issues.
If the bacteria find its way into the bloodstream, they can cause heart problems as well.
You can prevent Bad Breath in your pet by brushing his teeth regularly and by maintaining its proper dental hygiene.
9. Dry, Red or Cloudy Eyes
Never ignore symptoms like dry eyes, red or white eyelid linings, cloudiness or change in eye colour in your dog as these may be the reason for the eye infection or eye disorder in him. Consult your vet as soon as you notice any eye problem in your pet’s eye. This may help to cure the problem immediately after the first stage.
There is a high risk of having eye problems in the Long-haired breeds because of the long hairs which get into their eyes and causes irritation.
Trim the hairs on a regular basis to avoid the risk of eye problems. Also gently wash the pet’s eye with a soft cotton ball to reduce the chances of getting any eye issues.
10. Urinary Changes
Change in the pattern, color or frequency of urine can be a matter of concern. If your pet dog is showing some changes like urinating inside the house, drinking a lot of water or goes out to urinate more often, then it may be the cause of various health issues like diabetes, kidney or liver disease, adrenal gland disease or a urinary tract infection.
Take your pooch to the vet in case you find blood in its urine as this may be because of the bladder infection. Consult the vet even when the dog can’t urinate properly.
Author Bio:
Alfonso Thornton writes for Petfooddispenser.com He is a pet lover who loves to be with pets. In his blog, he writes about pet food, health & products.
