5 Common Signs That Your Dog Is Sick and What to Do

Unfortunately, dogs can also fall ill. Since your dog cannot talk or describe the symptoms, it can be challenging to tell if it is sick. Therefore, it is your responsibility to interpret their body language, actions, and attitude to identify and combat the sickness.

No one understands your dog better than you. Therefore you will notice when something is amiss. It is important to note that dogs hide their illness and only show specific signs when it is extreme. Even though you can treat most conditions yourself, it is advisable to take your dog to the right veterinarian.

Changes in Appetite

When your dog shows little or no interest in drinking and eating, there is a good chance that it is not feeling well. Even though each dog has its eating habit, you will notice when it is not eating. When your dog drinks a lot of water, the chances are that it has a fever.

When you notice the above signs accompanied by weight loss and vomiting, make an effort to contact a veterinarian. Sometimes, a change in appetite isn’t an alarming sign. It could be the dog is picky or responding to stressors in their eating environment.

Loss of appetite in dogs may indicate your dog is suffering from anxiety, dental pain, cancer, liver disease, kidney disease, or motion sickness. Moreover, if your dog starts to eat any meal that comes its way, the chances are that it could be suffering from diabetes, thyroid problems, medication side effects, etc.

Make an effort to take your dog to a vet, who will run a blood test to check for possible diseases. The veterinarian will tell you what to do.

Changes in Behavior and Personality

You can easily predict the behavior of your dog. For instance, your dog is likely to bark when it sees a mailman every morning. However, when your dog is sick, most of the expected behaviors begin to change.

For instance, if your dog usually is social, it will start to withdraw. On the other hand, your kind dog will show aggression and snippiness.

Behavioral changes may indicate that your dog is suffering from serious illnesses, such as brain tumors. It could also be a sign of aging. Aging dogs suffer from memory problems, arthritis, impaired visions; therefore, behavioral changes are justifiable. If your dog is not old, such behavioral changes may indicate cognitive dysfunction syndrome.

Respiratory Problems

Respiratory problems are the most common signs that your dog is sick. Nasal discharge, snoring, sneezing, wheezing, and coughing can indicate that your dog is suffering from canine flu, cold, or something severe like heart disease.

Overweight dog breeds such as bulldogs are more likely to suffer from respiratory distress. Confirm the color of your dog’s tongue and if it is experiencing difficulty in breathing. If the tongue has a bluish tint, seek treatment for your dog.

Changes in Skin and Coat Condition

A dry and itchy skin indicates that your dog is suffering from allergies or poor diet. In older dogs, severe hormone-related diseases such as hypothyroidism can cause skin changes and hair loss.

If you start to notice your dog’s coat becoming dull or flaky, the chances are that it could be suffering from an internal illness. Rashes, lumps, and persistent itching indicate sickness.

Noticeable Pain

Even in humans, pain is an indicator that something is wrong. Sadly, dogs are mostly stoic about the pain they are experiencing. However, it will yelp in pain when you touch the injured area. It is advisable not to give your dog pain killers unless a veterinarian prescribes it. Human pain killers can be harmful to your dog.

Here are signs to show that your dog is in pain.

• Difficulty in chewing.

• Drooling

• There is swelling in the joints.

• Your dog guards the injured part by growling, etc.

The above are some of the common signs that your dog is sick and requires medical attention. No one knows your dog as you do, therefore follow your gut when you sense something is wrong. Take your dog to the right veterinarian for further check-up.