If you are a dog owner then you should read as much as you can about your pooches. The reason is simple, to keep them healthy and happy all the way. A very well known integrative wellness veterinarian Dr. Karen Becker has put together a list of symptoms which you should take very seriously, in order to save yourself and your dog a lot of stress before a serious disease even occurs. The following 10 symptoms can help you understand easier whenever your dog is not feeling well.
1- Loss of Appetite, Weight Loss
She says that often, loss of appetite is the very first sign of an underlying illness in pets. There can be numerous reasons why your dog refuses to eat, but not eating has really negative effects within 24 hours.
2- Lethargy, Extreme Fatigue
Dr. Becker says that: “A lethargic dog will appear drowsy, “lazy,” and/or indifferent. She may be slow to respond to sights, sounds and other stimuli in her environment.” And if your dog is lethargic for more than 24 hours then you should take him/her to the vet.
3- Coughing
If it is a one time thing then there is nothing to worry about, otherwise you should take your dog to the vet. Frequent coughing might indicate one of the following: a possible windpipe obstruction, kennel cough, bronchitis, pneumonia, heartworm disease, heart failure, and tumors of the lung.
4- Fever
Fever means that your dog is currently fighting an infection. The normal temperature in dogs is 100.5 to 102.5 degrees F. If your pet feels warm to you, and if his temperature is higher than normal, then thane your pet to the Vet.
5- Difficulty Breathing
“Breathing difficulties can mean that not enough oxygen is reaching her tissues. Additionally, dogs with heart failure may not be able to pump enough blood to their muscles and other tissues. Respiratory distress often goes hand-in-hand with a buildup of fluid in the lungs or chest cavity that leads to shortness of breath and coughing.”
6- Trouble Urinating
If your dog suffers while trying to urinate then you should take your dog to the Vet. Probably a serious infection is causing them the trouble.
7-Bloody Diarrhea, Urine, Vomit
Digested blood in your dog’s, blood in a dog’s urine, and vomiting blood mean that there are some serious disorders happening in your pet’s body. These symptoms can deal with different minor or life threatening infections. Don’t wait long to take your dog to the Vet.
8- Pacing, Restlessness, Unproductive Retching
This means that your dog is either in pain, discomfort or stress. “One very serious condition in which these symptoms are common is gastric dilatation volvulus (GDV), also called bloat. Another sign of bloat is when a dog tries to vomit but brings nothing up. Bloat is a life-threatening condition that most often occurs in large breed dogs and those with deep chests.”
9- Fainting, Collapsing
If your dog collapses, and recovers quickly then there is nothing to worry about. Otherwise there might be a potential problem with the nervous system (brain, spinal cord or nerves), the musculoskeletal system (bones, joints, muscles), the circulatory system (heart, blood vessels, blood), or the respiratory system (mouth, nose, throat, lungs).
10- Red Eye(s)
If the white area of the eye turns red then it might include diseases involving the external eyelids, the third eyelid, the conjunctiva, cornea, or sclera of the eye. These symptoms should be investigated immediately by your veterinarian.