Early Signs Your Dog Is Unwell
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Being a dog or cat owner, your duties are not limited to grooming and training only, as one may usually think. As our pets usually tend to hide their sickness, we need to constantly check on them and look for any actions that seem out of the ordinary.
Lack Of Activity
Dogs and cats are usually energetic and love to play around. If your canine friend has been showing a lack of interest in activities it gets excited for, something must be wrong.
Lack of activity can be an indication of depression or an injury. It can also be a sign of health conditions like:
· Anemia
· Parvovirus
· Hypothyroidism
· Parasites
· Osteoarthritis.
For this reason, you must address this issue with a vet as soon as possible. Inactivity or lethargy may also be a sign of old age if your dog is getting into its elderly stage. Still, to avoid any major health problems, you need to ensure your canine gets medical attention.
Loss Of Appetite
As dogs and cats love eating treats and their favourite foods, a loss in their appetite can be worrisome. If your pet is being treated for a disease or is under medication, a loss of appetite is normal. Apart from that, it might be a sign that your puppy is a picky eater. Poor appetite can also point to oral health conditions like oral tumours, gum diseases and broken teeth. If your canine does not eat a meal for 24 hours, taking it to the vet is the best option.
Loss Or Gain Of Weight
Losing weight due to irregular eating patterns or excessive physical activity is self-explanatory. The issue arises when your canine starts losing weight without any change in meals or routine. Conditions that may cause a change in weight are:
· Tapeworms
· Liver disease
· Diabetes
The same goes for weight gain. A sudden increase in weight can be due to hyperthyroidism or some other underlying health issue. These signs will not be prominent immediately, so monitor your dog’s weight regularly to check for any changes.
Itching
While pets love to scratch themselves often, we all know that excessive scratching can lead to self-imposed injuries. Your canine can get sudden and intense bouts of scratching due to allergic reactions or an injury. These reactions can be caused by:
· Mites
· Skin infections
· Pain from wounds
· Dry skin
· Ticks
· Flea bites
If you don’t treat it timely, the infection or allergy will prevail and cause discomfort to the pet, further leading to changes in the mood. Other indications for these conditions include excessive licking, biting, or chewing one or more areas of the body. So, reach out to your vet as soon as you see any of these problems.
Vomiting Or Diarrhea
/wp:paragraph wp:paragraphVomiting and diarrhea can occur once in a while, depending on what the pet has eaten. However, persistent vomiting and diarrhea is a sign of an intestinal parasite, poisoning, or an infection that can worsen if left untreated. As constant vomiting leads to dehydration, your canine might be at the risk of death! Before taking it to the vet, don’t forget to check whether there’s blood in the vomit or the stool, and if possible, take a stool sample with you.
/wp:paragraph wp:paragraphCoughing
/wp:paragraph wp:paragraphCoughing is an early sign of respiratory infections, heart diseases, and structural problems regarding the throat. If you have a small dog (for example, a Chihuahua or a Yorkie), the coughing may be due to a condition known as Collapsing Trachea, which causes a honking cough. A dry cough is a symptom of heartworms, and a moist cough can be from influenza or pneumonia. Also, it’s better to look for some other symptoms such as wheezing, nasal discharge, and difficulty in breathing. All of these are caused by respiratory issues that need medical attention.
/wp:paragraph wp:paragraphFinal Words
/wp:paragraph wp:paragraphWhile it is important to be well informed about your dog's health, you should not use the internet as an alternative to the diagnosis by a professional. As soon as you see early signs that your canine is unwell, reach out to your vet and get help. Noticing these early signs may require effort from your side, but it can be worth it. Ensuring regular check-up through a certified vet will also help diagnose the diseases earlier. In this way, you’ll save your canine from excessive pain and avoid any risk to its precious life. After all, losing a pet can be worse than heartbreak for owners!
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