How to know if your dog is sick (with pictures)

2024 Author: Samantha Chapman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 09:13

Just like their owners, dogs can get sick for a variety of reasons, from a simple virus to a few more serious problems that can lead to serious complications. Since your four-legged friend is unable to speak, you have to be the one to watch out for certain symptoms. If you are concerned that your dog may be sick, always consult your vet.

Steps

Part 1 of 4: Observe the Dog's Appearance

Step 1. Check for excessive salivation or bad breath

Both can be a sign of a dental problem and that an extraction may be needed. To prevent many oral problems, you should get your dog used to having his teeth brushed. The following symptoms could all indicate a dental problem:

• Lack of appetite.
• Sensitivity to the muzzle, the dog avoids being touched in this area.
• Obvious difficulty in chewing.

Step 2. Check for excessive coughing

If you have a cough, it may not even be a cause for concern. However, if you notice that the symptom lasts for more than 24 hours, it could be something serious. Any severe and persistent coughing episode should be evaluated by a veterinarian.

• Coughing could disturb your furry friend's sleep.
• Coughing in a dog can be a sign of some ailment such as minor bronchitis or filariasis; contact a professional to have the animal examined.

Step 3. Pay attention to changes in behavior

Just like humans, dogs behave differently when they are unwell.

• For example, he may have more or less appetite or thirst, be hyperactive, or severely reduce energy levels; even if the changes are not limited to this.
• If you notice any changes in his behavior, take him to the vet for a checkup.
• If it shows irritation by stroking or scratching it in a specific area of the body, take note; it could be where the dog has a lesion or wound.

Step 4. Be especially vigilant for injuries or growths

Dogs can develop ingrown hairs, cysts, and other skin imperfections, so a small lump or bump may not be an immediate cause for concern. However, if your dog exhibits the symptoms described below, he should be examined by a professional.

• Presence of bumps that grow in size.
• Protuberances that adhere deeply to the tissues.
• Sores that are bleeding or oozing fluid.

Step 5. Measure its temperature

Dogs can also have a fever, just like humans. If your dog has a fever, especially if it coincides with other symptoms, take him to the vet as soon as possible.

• 39.4 ° C is a high temperature. In this case, take the animal to the doctor as soon as possible.
• If the temperature reaches 40.3 ° C it is a veterinary emergency.

Part 2 of 4: Evaluating the Dog's Diet

Step 1. Check if you drink too much

Measure the amount of water your dog drinks each day. If you notice big changes in the amount of fluids you take, take note. Excessive or low thirst are both factors that indicate a problem that requires medical attention.

• Exclude moment-specific situations, such as intense play or if it's a hot day.
• If you feel like your pet is drinking a lot more than usual for a week in a row, consult your veterinarian.

Step 2. Keep track of his appetite

Notice if his appetite changes, especially if he tends to lose or even gain weight; in both cases there may be an underlying disease. Unexpected and unexplained weight loss or gain should always be checked with a visit to the vet.

• In the short term, loss of appetite can be a sign of fever, pain, or stress, as well as many other possible causes.
• If loss of appetite is associated with other obvious symptoms, you should go to the vet immediately for a checkup.

Step 3. Pay special attention to digestive disorders

If you experience vomiting or diarrhea you should be especially vigilant, as these are symptoms that could mean anything from ingesting a sharp object, to ulcers, to even the presence of parasites.

• Individual episodes of vomiting or diarrhea are not necessarily a cause for concern.
• Repeated episodes, however, especially if they last for more than 24 hours, require a visit to the vet.
• If you notice blood, vomiting and / or diarrhea, it is a serious symptom that requires prompt treatment.

Part 3 of 4: Analyzing the Dog's Activity Level

Step 1. Examine your pet's energy levels

If he is lethargic for a long time, it is clear that he is not well. While you don't necessarily need to worry too much when your dog is tired after actively playing, you still need to monitor him if you notice other signs, such as impaired exercise tolerance or general weakness associated with lethargy.

• If it shows unusually low energy levels, which go beyond two or three days, you should take your pet to the vet for a checkup.
• Medical attention is required, even if lethargy occurs in conjunction with other symptoms.
• Even an extremely hyperactive dog must arouse suspicion, as there may be a systemic disease that requires veterinary care.

Step 2. Pay attention to excessive itching

All dogs scratch with some regularity. However, if you see your specimen overdoing it, it could mean there is a health issue that shouldn't be ignored. Check if any of the conditions listed here may be causing your dog's itch or ask your vet for more information:

• Itching is a typical sign of fleas, ticks, mites or mange.
• It can also mean that the animal has some endocrine or hormonal problem.
• The dog may also suffer from allergies which, just like in humans, cause itching.

• Take him to the vet.

  • Most veterinarians will examine the animal for a diagnosis or recommend that you have it tested to determine the source of its problem.
  • After the exams, the vet will likely prescribe therapy to eliminate the underlying problem or at least to make the dog as comfortable as possible.

  

  Step 3. Check for difficulty standing up or moving

  If you see that your dog is starting to show signs of muscle or joint stiffness (for example, he has difficulty getting up or climbing stairs), then he should be tested.

  • This symptom can be the result of various diseases or health problems, such as hip dysplasia, arthritis or Lyme disease, a bacterial disease transmitted by ticks.
  • The sooner Lyme disease is treated, the better the prognosis will be, so it's important to get your dog to the vet promptly if you notice this symptom, especially if the animal is quite young.

  

  Step 4. Check for shortness of breath

  This symptom may indicate a problem with the animal's respiratory system. You may not be able to pinpoint the cause yourself, so it is important, once again, to take your dog to the doctor and get an accurate diagnosis.

  • Wheezing requires urgent intervention.
  • If your dog's gums are bluish in color, seek emergency veterinary services immediately.

  

  Step 5. Pay attention if she goes to the toilet where she shouldn't

  Animals that are trained to relieve themselves outdoors are unlikely to have "accidents" unless they suffer from some problem. If your dog begins to evacuate inexplicably at home, your vet will likely recommend that you schedule some tests to check for the causes of this behavior.

  If this problem continues for a couple of consecutive days, it means that there is a health problem that needs to be resolved

  

  Step 6. Check for any changes in urination

  If your dog starts to change how often he pees, it could be a sign of a problem. Check if your urine contains blood or is abnormally colored. If you experience anything unusual in your pet's urine or urination habits, you should contact your veterinarian.

  • Increased and decreased urination can both be a sign of disease.
  • When urination is impaired, the most common problem is kidney and bladder stones.

  Part 4 of 4: Knowing When Urgent Care is Needed

  

  Step 1. Check for non-productive retching

  If the animal is trying to vomit but cannot, it could be a problem associated with stomach torsion, a potentially life-threatening condition. In this case, you must take him to the vet immediately to ensure the best care.

  

  Step 2. Monitor unproductive urination

  If you see your pet trying to urinate but is unable to, take him to the vet right away. The inability to urinate indicates some form of kidney failure which can be very serious.

  

  Step 3. Check for signs of weakness

  If he can't stand, sways, or collapses, then you need to seek immediate care. In fact, a tired dog is still able to stand on its paws and move; therefore, if you see it collapsing, it is a definite sign that it needs medical attention.

  Advice

  • Always check the food and fluids your dog is taking for changes in appetite or signs of dehydration.
  • Always keep your vet's phone numbers handy so you can contact them easily in case of an emergency.
  • Get a list of alternative vets available at night and on weekends.
  • The most important thing, however, is to get to know your dog, so that you can immediately notice any possible changes in his appearance, behavior and attitude.
  • If you are unsure of the animal's health condition, contact the nearest veterinary clinic.