4 Common Signs that your Dog is Sick

It can difficult to know if your dog is sick or not. After all, they can’t just walk up to you and tell you that they’re in pain. The only thing you can really watch out for are the obvious signs of illness. Here are a few things to take note of.

No appetite

You’ll notice that your dog skips its meals and turns down food, even if it’s something you know it’ll eat. This is one of the most obvious signs of illness.

Absence or reduction of appetite, especially when it goes on for a few days, should be enough reason to take your dog to the vet. If you can’t go to the veterinarian yet, find a way to feed your dog, even if you have to force feed it. Some owners would turn their food into a paste-like consistency and use a baster to feed the dog. This method is an effective way to feed dogs that have a hard time moving, like in cases of physical disability or DM in dogs.

Fever

It’s a little difficult to know if a dog has fever or not. When the dog has high body temperature, try to place your finger near the openings of their ears or rub their stomach area. If you think that the dog is warmer than usual, you should consult your vet. Many different illnesses can cause fever, so always have your vet’s number in handy in case you need to contact him or her.

Diarrhea or Vomiting

Diarrhea or vomiting can be caused by an illness or something that your pet ate that caused it to have an upset stomach. Food-induced diarrhea or vomiting can be easily cured with home remedies, but if it continues to happen for a few days, or if you notice blood on their stool or vomit, then it’s something more than just bad food.

Like babies and small children, dogs can sometimes swallow small household objects that can irritate their digestive tract. Diarrhea or vomiting can also be a sign of parasitic infection. Other changes like constipation, infrequent or frequent urination and unusual stool texture needs to be checked immediately.

Physical appearance and movement

If you notice their fur thinning, patching off, or becoming dull, this could be a caused by illness. Feel for any strange bumps or growth under their skin, discharge or mucus coming for their ears, nose or eyes, and the color of their gums. If they start having problems walking, sitting, running or even standing up and keeping balance, this could be a sign of DM in dogs, arthritis or some other joint, nerve and muscle problems.

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