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Your dog is a beloved family member, so it’s natural to want to do everything possible to keep them happy, healthy and safe.
Preventative care, such as vaccinations and annual wellness exams, is crucial. However, there are also things you need to be on the lookout for in between these regular visits.
Dog drinking a lot of water? Dog lethargic and not eating? Wondering "why is my dog being aggressive all of a sudden?" Are these signs to take a dog to a vet?
It might be, but don't worry too much - we're here to share the warning signs that you should familiarise yourself with.
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Importance of recognising signs of illness in dogs
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Early detection: Early detection is important, but this doesn't mean being anxious about it. You just need to recognise the common signs of dog illness.
Prevention of complications: Ignoring symptoms may result in the progression of a minor ailment into a more serious condition. That's why early diagnosis is important.
Improved quality of life: Prompt veterinary care can alleviate discomfort and pain. It also improves your dog's overall quality of life.
Disease management: Early diagnosis helps manage chronic diseases more effectively.
Peace of mind: Regular monitoring and timely veterinary visits provide peace of mind.
When to see a vet
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1. Dog not eating
If you notice any change in how your dog is eating her food, this warrants a veterinarian trip for a checkup.
A sudden loss of interest in food or treats could indicate a digestive problem or a more severe issue, like an intestinal obstruction.
If your dog explores the world with their mouth, you may want to consider modifying her environment (pick up belongings, place candles, plants, and books out of reach, etc.) to prevent any potential for obstructions.
In the case of counter surfers, you’ll want to keep counters clear at all times to prevent your dog from grabbing foreign objects and ingesting them.
Some dogs may go outside and eat rocks or other things, so a basket muzzle placed on the dog would help prevent this from happening.
Other causes that may result in a decreased appetite in dogs may include:
Illness
Infection
Cancer
Severe dental disease
Due to the many possibilities affecting a dog’s appetite, you must seek veterinary care to rule out these potential causes.
2. Dog suddenly lethargic / no energy
If your dog is more lethargic than usual or has decreased energy over a few days, it may indicate something is causing your dog to feel ill or in pain.
Systemic diseases, infections, and injuries can all cause lethargy, so it is essential to seek veterinary care to rule out the possible causes.
By having annual blood testing performed on your dog, you can establish a baseline and potentially catch early signs of systemic diseases and infections and be proactive in addressing these problems.
Signs of a lethargic dog
Reduced energy levels: The dog may seem unusually tired and unwilling to engage in normal activities or play.
Slow movement: They may move more slowly or appear sluggish in their movements.
Lack of interest: They may show little interest in their surroundings or usual activities.
Excessive sleeping: Lethargic dogs may spend more time sleeping or resting than usual.
Weakness: They may struggle to stand up or may appear unsteady on their feet.
Reduced responsiveness: Lethargic dogs may be less responsive to stimuli such as calls or commands.
Decreased appetite: They may show a lack of interest in food or may eat less than usual.
Dull eyes: The dog's eyes may appear dull or lacking in brightness.
Laboured breathing: In severe cases, lethargic dogs may exhibit signs of laboured breathing or panting.
Behavioural changes: Lethargy can sometimes be accompanied by other behavioural changes such as irritability or withdrawal.
Our lethargy in dogs article explains more.
3. Weight loss
Any sudden or chronic weight loss is cause for concern. A vet should evaluate a dog with unexplained weight loss to make the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations.
There are many causes of weight loss, but being proactive and having annual blood testing performed, in addition to an annual wellness examination, may help identify problems early on before they become too severe.
Weight loss in dogs may indicate one of the following conditions:
A systemic disease
Gastrointestinal disorder
Cancer
Regularly monitoring your pet's weight is crucial as it allows you to detect any potential decrease, which could indicate underlying health issues such as illness or malnutrition.
By keeping track of changes in weight over time, you can promptly address any concerns and ensure your pet maintains optimal health and well-being.
4. Drinking too much or not enough water
A change in your dog’s water intake (that isn’t heat or temperature-related) can indicate several things.
Decreased water intake may suggest that your dog is not feeling well due to an illness or infection. A veterinarian should evaluate your dog so that appropriate testing can be performed to determine the cause of the decreased or increased water intake.
Drinking excessively may be due to conditions such as:
Kidney disease
An infection
To determine if your dog is drinking too much or too little, monitor their water intake relative to their normal habits and lifestyle.
Signs of excessive drinking include frequent trips to the water bowl, while decreased water consumption or dehydration symptoms like dry gums and lethargy may indicate inadequate hydration.
5. Difficulty breathing or rapid breathing
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Every dog will pant and breathe more rapidly after strenuous exercise or on a warm day. However, dogs should not have difficulty breathing after they’ve rested or returned to cooler temperatures.
Suppose your dog continues to experience rapid breathing, shortened breath or is coughing and wheezing. In that case, you should seek veterinary care immediately so that the veterinarian can evaluate your dog to see if there is something serious causing these symptoms.
Rapid or difficult breathing in dogs may be caused by:
Respiratory infections
Congestive heart failure
6. Vomiting or changes in stool
If your dog vomits or has diarrhoea once, it isn’t necessarily a reason to seek emergency veterinary care, especially if the problem resolves quickly and your dog remains otherwise normal.
However, chronic vomiting and diarrhoea can indicate gastrointestinal disease (like inflammatory bowel disease), intestinal blockage, infection, or other serious systemic diseases. It is also possible that your dog ate something poisonous if they have persistent vomiting and/or diarrhoea.
If your dog experiences multiple bouts of vomiting and diarrhoea, and especially if they appear lethargic, you should seek immediate veterinary care so that the dog receives the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations. Your veterinarian will also make sure they receive fluids, so they do not become dehydrated as a result.
Faecal and blood testing may be recommended annually by your veterinarian so that early changes in your pet’s health can be detected and potentially treated and/or managed before they become more concerning.
7. Poor balance or difficulty walking
If you begin to notice changes in your dog’s gait, movement, or balance, you should have a veterinarian examine her right away.
While limping could be as simple as a sprained tendon or ligament, difficulty maintaining balance and uncoordinated movements could indicate more serious neurological problems.
8. Dog suddenly aggressive or abnormal behaviour
If at any time your dog’s behaviour changes, and she becomes aggressive or reclusive, it may be an indication that something is wrong. Like humans, dogs can exhibit aggression or reclusiveness when feeling ill or in pain.
Don't assume that a sudden increase in barking, growling or other aggressive actions is a behavioural problem.
Schedule an appointment with a veterinarian so that your dog can be examined for signs of illnesses or injuries before working with a professional trainer to address the issue.
Telltale signs aggression is linked to illness
If aggression or excessive barking suddenly manifests in your dog, it could be indicative of an underlying medical issue rather than behavioural problems.
Look for accompanying signs such as changes in appetite, lethargy, or physical discomfort, and consult a veterinarian to rule out any potential health concerns causing the behavioural changes.
9. Dog crying for no reason or in pain
If you pet your dog and she moves away from your hand or winces, you know that something may be wrong, and she may be dealing with something painful.
In this case, you will want to call a veterinarian to help determine the cause of the pain. Your pet might need x-rays of the painful area in addition to a complete physical examination.
Osteoarthritis can also be a source of pain. It's essential to maintain annual wellness exams so that any problems with mobility or episodes of discomfort can be discussed with your veterinarian and addressed at that time.
By being proactive and addressing these problems early on, joint supplementation and pain medications can be prescribed to help comfort your dog.
10. Eye discharge and redness
Discharge from the eyes can be of various colours. Green or yellow eye discharge can indicate infection, while clear or grey discharge can indicate allergies or dry eye.
Whatever the colour may be, if the eye discharge persists or other symptoms, such as squinting, accompany the discharge, then a veterinarian should have a look.
Eye discharge may indicate that there is trauma to the surface of the eye or that your dog has dry eye, allergies or an infection.
How to treat these symptoms
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Should your dog show any of these signs, it is recommended that you have a veterinarian evaluate her to help give you peace of mind and to help provide your pet a happy and healthy life.
Many veterinary clinics offer preventative pet care that help cover preventative care costs such as annual exams, blood testing, vaccines, faecal testing, dental cleanings, etc.
These preventive services could help identify a problem that would have otherwise cost hundreds to thousands of pounds if they had been left to be treated when much more severe later on.
However, when your dog becomes ill, having a good insurance plan could save you hundreds to thousands of pounds, depending on what the problem is. Many insurance plans will help cover the cost of many diagnostics, likely after a deductible is met.
Take into consideration your dog’s age, type of breed, size of your dog, etc., and choose an insurance plan that is right for your dog.
In the end, the most important thing is to ensure your dog is getting the veterinary care she needs and can receive the treatments she needs should she need any. Insurance plans can help ensure that your beloved dog can receive these treatments and preventative screenings.
When should I take my dog to the emergency vet?
You should take your dog to the emergency vet immediately if they experience severe symptoms such as difficulty breathing, seizures, uncontrolled bleeding, sudden collapse, or signs of severe pain.
Additionally, any trauma, ingestion of toxic substances, or sudden onset of illness warrants urgent veterinary attention.
It's always better to err on the side of caution and seek immediate medical care for your pet in case of emergency.
Of course, dog insurance can help you and your dog prepare for the unexpected.
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