Dogs are considered family members in many homes, and as such, their health is just as important as any other family member. Like with people, there are signs that dogs give when they’re not feeling well. It’s important to be aware of these signs and take your dog to the vet if necessary. This article will look at some of those signs and what may be causing them.
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Lack Of Appetite
If your dog is refusing food, it could just be that he doesn’t have an appetite. However, if this continues over a few days, there could be something wrong. Dogs can refuse food due to stress or anxiety or if they are in pain. You might find that they eat grass as well, which can indicate pain in their stomachs or intestines or that they’re trying to induce vomiting due to something they’ve eaten. If you notice this behavior, it could be a sign of something worse, and a vet should see them.
Diarrhea
If your dog is experiencing diarrhea, there could be many causes for this, from something simple like an infection to more serious conditions. Dogs with congestive heart failure can often have diarrhea or vomiting due to their condition. In some cases, dogs may need medications to stop the diarrhea. If the problem is severe and isn’t relieved by over-the-counter treatments for minor intestinal problems in dogs, you must take your dog to see a vet straight away.
Vomiting
If your dog is vomiting, there are many causes, and these need to be checked by a vet. Suppose they’re vomiting bile, and you see undigested food in the vomit. In that case, this may indicate pancreatitis or irritation and inflammation of the stomach lining, which requires medication and a special diet. If blood is present in the vomit, this could mean internal bleeding somewhere, which also needs to be examined by a vet.
Bad Breath
If your dog has bad breath, this can be another sign that something is wrong and needs checking out by a vet. They may have gum disease or an infection such as gingivitis which will require treatment from the veterinarian to return to having fresh smelling breath.
Limping Or Difficulty Walking
When a dog is limping or having difficulty walking, it may be because of an injury such as arthritis in the joints, which means they need pain relief and anti-inflammatory drugs. Other reasons for limping could be bone conditions such as osteosarcoma, a joint tumor, or hip dysplasia. If you notice that your dog is limping quite often, they need to see a veterinarian to be safe.
Frequent Urination
Frequent urination in dogs could indicate several problems, from diabetes to kidney disease or tumors. If your dog is going to the toilet more than usual, this needs checking out by a vet as it can indicate that something isn’t right, especially if they’re showing other symptoms such as weight loss and lethargy. They will examine your dog and run some tests before deciding on a course of action.
Visible Skin Problems
If your dog has visible skin problems such as cuts, rashes, or lumps, you need to take them to the veterinarian as they could be serious, like cancer. If their skin is flaky and rough with some areas that look raw and where they’re scratching at themselves a lot, it could be allergies that may require special treatments from your vet. Make sure you keep an eye on any changes in your dog’s skin and take him to the vet if anything suspicious appears.
Excessive Panting
If your dog is excessively panting, this may be due to high temperatures or fever, indicating many illnesses. Always take your dog to the veterinarian if you notice that he’s dragging his tongue across the floor while drooling, as this could be linked to seizures, so it’s important to see a vet ASAP. Panting in dogs isn’t usually anything for you to worry about unless they’re doing it frequently or seem uncomfortable. If this is the case, then make sure you contact your vet as soon as possible.
Whining Or Whimpering
When dogs whine and whimper like they’re in pain, they need to be seen by a vet because there could be something wrong with their bones, joints, or teeth that needs stabilizing and medication. Be aware of any changes in behavior such as not wanting to go for walks, not wanting to play, or showing aggression towards other dogs because this could be due to pain and suffering, which needs treatment to relieve whatever is causing the pain.
Shaking Or Trembling
If your dog is trembling or shaking, they may have a fever, which indicates that something isn’t right. You must take them to see a veterinarian as soon as possible if they’re behaving like this. It could also be due to stress, fatigue, and exhaustion, leading to many health problems that will need urgent attention. This will tell the vet what the underlying cause is to give them medication treatments accordingly.
Coat Loss
Coat loss is usually the first sign of skin problems or serious diseases such as hypothyroidism, which causes hair loss. The complete lack of coat on certain areas could point to a skin infection or allergies, leading your vet to prescribe medications for your dog’s treatment. If you suspect that your dog isn’t well, make sure you get them checked by a veterinarian because they could be suffering from an underlying condition that just needs medication to go away.
Conclusion
If your dog is showing any of these symptoms, they need to see a veterinarian because it could indicate that something isn’t right and should be checked out as soon as possible. It will give you peace of mind and know that there isn’t anything seriously wrong while also giving your dog the treatment they might need to get better. Nobody wants to lose a family member, even the furry kind. So always be sure to keep an eye on your dogs!