It is said, “A dog is a man’s best friend.” True to this, it accompanies you everywhere, sleeps beside you, and is an active playmate. A dog, in most cases, has grown to become a companion to you and your family members. Unfortunately, when feeling unwell or in distress, your dog would not do much to relay this message to you. This presents a problem, as you would not tell when to take your pet to the vet. However, watch out for these warning signs.
1. Change in Eating Habit
It is not alarming for your pet dog to skip a meal or two, but if it persists, then you should definitely be worried. Two days without eating should be a clear alarm for your dog to see a vet. This can also manifest in your dog developing abnormal cravings for things like grass or garbage. Take your dog for medical check-up in the occurrence of these unusual eating habits.
2. Drinking Too Much or Too Little Water
Having little to no desire for water or failure to urinate is a red flag for underlying digestive issues. Drinking too much water and excessive urination might indicate kidney issues.
3. Vomiting
As much as animals sometimes vomit to get rid of irritation in their guts, some kind of vomit should concern you. If your dog suddenly vomits frequently, vomits blood or develops a fever, then it urgently needs to see a veterinarian.
4. Change in Stool
The texture and color of a dog’s stool is a perfect indicator of its overall health. Small, firm, and slightly moist stool indicates a healthy dog, whereas very hard, dry, blood-stained stool, and diarrhea is a sign that your dog requires treatment. The presence of mucus and worms in the dog stool are also problematic signs to watch out for.
5. Sudden Weight Loss
A quick and unexpected loss in your dog’s weight should prompt you to take it for check-up. If your dog consistently loses weight, the probability of it suffering a serious health condition is very high and vet professionals are best-suited to figure this out.
6. Skin or Hair Changes
Whereas some mild rushes or hair loss might occur from obvious allergies and irritation, it is best not to assume the never ending situations. If the dog loses hair on a massive scale and has persistent itching, then it requires immediate medical check-up. Such a condition is problematic for the dog as it scratches very often, making it uncomfortable.
7. Unusually Aggressive or Docile
Be attentive to your dog’s behaviour as a change might be a sign of something wrong. Your pet companion is obviously not feeling well, and the closest thing to do is acting out. A dog that is usually very playful suddenly turns to be very dormant and isolated, whereas another friendly dog becomes super aggressive on the slightest of provocation and you wonder why? Only a veterinarian can diagnose that.
Other notable warning signs to watch out for in a dog include:
• A swollen and hard abdomen
• Bleeding from the nose and mouth
• Never-ending whining and shaking
• Seizure
• Open wounds
• Cloudy or red eyes
• Poor balance or instability
Pets are usually active, playful, and full of life. It is important to observe your pet dog for any emotional or physical changes. If you notice any of these signs, it is crucial to make an appointment with a vet clinic. Do not assume and wait for the problem to deteriorate. The earlier your dog gets treatment, the faster it will get back its health and happiness.
