Photo by Anastasiya Lobanovskaya

How do you know if your dog is sick? Is it just having a slow, lazy day or is there a sinister bug lurking? Here are the 7 signs to look out for.

Nasal Discharge: If your dog has continuous nasal discharge, it indicates the presence of nasal congestion and if the discharge is thick, most of the time, the dog may have pneumonia. 

Vomiting: If your dog vomits one or two times, this may not be taken as a serious sign of ill health but if the vomiting intensity increases, then it is time to pay the vet a visit.

Itching: If your dog has constantly itching, then one needs to check up the dog first by closer observation and examination of the skin by separating the hair, especially in the c long-haired breeds. You may also come across a lot of ticks or lice on the skin, which may look normal from a distance. If there are no visible parasites and the problem does not resolve after a time, it’s time to give your vet a call.

Loose Stools: If the dog passes loose stools once or twice, this may mean a mild stomach bug or irritation. Consider the following;

• Have you recently changed or introduced new foods?
• Are the food bowls clean?

If you have not changed anything and the passing of loose stool continues, then your dog may be suffering from a serious bug or a bowel disorder.

If the dog does not pass stool for two to three days, try a laxative but should that not clear the issue, pay a quick visit to the vet to rule out something more serious.

Movement: Patiently observe your dog’s movement. If the dog is limping, the animal may have foot lesions. You can easily treat these at home with a balm, however should they be infected, a prescription of antibiotics may be required. 

Photo by jaminriverside

Similarly, if an older dog is walking reluctantly and is eating much less with repeated vomiting, then acute renal disorders like nephritis will need to be ruled out.

Eyes: If there is whiteness in eyes, corneal opacity that may occur in diseases like trypanosomosis. When the dog becomes anemic, the mucous membrane of the eyes becomes paler and in severe cases, the eyes may have a ‘wall white’ color.

Biting: If the dog bites the chain and owners or other dogs, look for behavior disorders.  A visit to the vet to rule out rabies is needed.

Conclusion,

Not every small issue requires a visit to your vet but if you suspect something is wrong or observe an escalation of any of the above signs, a quick visit is necessary. Here’s to healthy pups!