Our pets are part of the family and their health is so important to us. They tend to avoid showing their pain because they love their owners so much so it is our duty to make sure that we don’t ignore the signals that they give off when they are ill.
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Here are 15 signals that we should not ignore:
- Loss of appetite:
Have you noticed that your dog hasn’t been eating as much as they usually do? This is something to monitor. Obviously, if your dog hasn’t eaten his/ her entire meal, and has left a little bit behind, it’s not something major to worry about. - Lethargy, extreme fatigue:
If your dog is lethargic, slow or lazy for more than 24 hours, it is advisable to see a vet. One of the main reasons for this to occur is because of heartworms. In South Africa, heartworms are not that common. Heartworms are parasites that live in the blood of a dog’s heart and blood vessels. There are many reasons why your dog may be feeling lethargic and some could be a fatal reason. - Excessive Drooling:
Drooling is common amongst quite a few dog breeds. Though, if you notice that your dog is drooling excessively, it could be due to an allergic reaction that they may be experiencing. Their throats may be swollen and it’s advisable to see a vet in regards to this. - Difficulty in urinating:
If your dog is having difficulty urinating, this could be because of a urinary tract infection or a blockage. If they are moaning or seem distracted while urinating (weird to observe, I know) a consultation with a vet will be best. Leaving this for a while could result badly. - Rapid Weight Loss:
This is highly dangerous. If your dog is experiencing rapid weight loss, you will need to visit a vet immediately as your dog may be experiencing symptoms of diabetes, liver disease or other digestive conditions. - Butt-Scratching:
Butt scratching usually occurs when your dog has worms. When you start noticing your dog scratching their butt on the ground quite often, a vet should be consulted immediately so that you don’t contract worms too. - Persistent coughing:
Dogs aren’t known for having a cough so if your fur bud is coughing their lungs away, it’s probably a sign of something a bit more serious- like, bronchitis or pneumonia. Before the illness can get any worse, it’s important to ensure that it is treated immediately. - Swollen Tum-Tum:
If your dog’s tummy is bloated, it’s likely that they have accumulated excess fluid in their abdomen. Bloated abdomen could be a sign of an enlarged spleen, liver or kidneys. It could also be a sign of internal bleeding. Make sure to pop by the vet if you’ve noticed this in your dog. - Red-eye:
This could be one of many things. It could be the infection or inflammation of the eye. It could also be due to diseases such as conjunctivitis or the cornea and sclera could be infected. The red eye could also be caused by glaucoma (high blood pressure). - Bleeding and Bruising:
blood clots are the major cause for your dog to bleed and bruise. - Laboured breathing:
If your dog is struggling to breathe, this could be due to heart failure. A buildup of fluid around the heart and lungs could be another reason for this. - Seizure:
A seizure occurs when there is a firing in the nerves in the brain. A seizure is a symptom of a neurological disorder such as a tumour, epilepsy or toxins in the brain. - Pale Gums:
Pale gums and mucous membranes indicate blood loss or “shock”. Possible causes for this could be life-threatening and should be addressed by a vet immediately. - Excessive drinking and/or urination:
If your dog feels thirsty often and drinks more water than usual, this could be a sign of kidney failure, diabetes, and thyroid problems. If you are noticing this symptom with your dog, make sure to visit a vet immediately. - Blood in their urine:
If you are noticing blood in your dog’s urine, this could be due to a bacterial infection or cancer. It’s best you visit a vet to consult.