We all love our dogs and consider them part of our family. We do our best to look after them, feed them well, keep them healthy, and give them all the love that they deserve.
Although dogs are very expressive, they are unable to do much when it comes to effectively communicating an illness or any other form of sickness that might be plaguing them.
Sometimes we understand that they’re sick only when they display very clear signs of being indisposed or look visibly ill. Here, we’ll discuss some of the most obvious signs of sickness in dogs:
8 tell-tale signs that say that your Dog Is sick
Below are the eight most obvious signs that your dog is sick and needs to see a vet. Take a look and be sure to make a note.
Diarrhea or vomiting
These are the two most common signs that you need to seek veterinary help. If your dog is suffering from an upset stomach or vomiting very often, then it is cause for concern.
The phenomenon can be caused by a change of diet, motion sickness, viral or bacterial infections, or accidental ingestion of any foreign object.
A visible change in their usual personality
If dogs feel pain or are sick in general, they can display very prominent behavioral changes, such as withdrawing into a shell or getting snappier than usual.
If you find that your dog usually growls if you get close to a specific area of the body, then it means that this area is the source of discomfort for the dog. Just because a dog is sick, it does not mean that it will display negative behavior.
However, if you find that its behavior has undergone a radical change, such as clinginess, drastic changes in routine, excessive barking, or unusually aggressive actions, then you need to take notice of it.
Changes in urination patterns
If your dog is house-trained, then it will never start urinating around the house without reason. This is a huge sign that there’s something wrong with it.
Also, if it is facing any other urine-related issues (such as having to try hard to empty their bladder, urinating too little or too much, or displaying blood in their urine), then take it to the vet without delay.
Suffering a loss of appetite
Usually, dogs tend to have their own eating habits and may consume more food on some days compared to others.
Loss of appetite can be indicative of several different issues. While some can be benign, others can be quite serious.
If you see your dog eating less than usual, try offering it some of its favorite treats or small portions of fast food. However, if the issue seems to persist and is accompanied by some of the other symptoms on this list, then you should see a vet.
Noticeable change in drinking habits
This point is similar to the above one, with water in place of food. Drinking too little or too much water can indicate that your dog is not feeling well. It can be symptomatic of several issues, such as hormone imbalances, fever, diabetes, or kidney disease.
If you notice any strong changes in your pet’s drinking habits, try offering them water that is flavored with chicken broth. If you find them drinking more, check if they are also urinating at a higher volume.
Showing fatigue and tired behaviour
If your dog stays increasingly fatigued and does not participate in any of the activities it used to earlier, then it is a cause for concern.
Dogs suffering from fatigue can stop playing or running around, barking, or even snuggling with their owners. If this happens very frequently, you should take notice since this is not normal.
Frequent coughing or having trouble breathing
If you notice your dog having coughing or wheezing fits, having a lot of trouble breathing, or displaying a significant amount of nasal discharge, then you know that they are suffering from a respiratory issue.
These symptoms can range from a simple cold to canine flu, kennel cough, or heart failure. Hearing a honking noise can indicate a condition called tracheal collapse that is common in some small dog breeds.
If your dog is suffering from shortness of breath, getting tired easily, or displaying a blue tint on its tongue and gums, it should be considered a medical emergency.
Conclusion
As said at the beginning of this blog, our pets are like family, and it is our responsibility to care for them.
Since we are responsible for their good health, we should also take special care to identify all the telltale symptoms of sickness and deal with them appropriately at the right time.
