Content
- Malnourished Dog Symptoms
- Symptoms of Carbohydrate Deficiency in Dogs
- Symptoms of Protein Deficiency in Dogs
- Lipid Deficiency Symptoms in Dogs
- Vitamin Deficiency Symptoms in Dogs
- Symptoms of mineral deficiency in dogs
- Malnourished dog: what to do
Do you feed your pet correctly? This is one of the questions you should periodically ask, since the dog's diet is one of the factors that most influences its health. Therefore, you should always make sure that, through the food you provide, it is possible to cover the nutritional needs, otherwise your dog runs the risk of suffering various health problems.
Sometimes, a shortage of nutrients does not occur due to errors in external feeding, but due to internal problems that prevent adequate absorption at the intestinal level, therefore, any manifestation of a nutritional deficiency must be taken into account.
In this article by Animal Expert, we explain the malnourished dog symptoms for you to learn to recognize nutritional deficiencies in your pet.
Malnourished Dog Symptoms
Currently there are balanced and high quality dog food that is an excellent way to provide our pet with all the nutrients it needs, however, the administration of low quality food and the production of homemade diets without nutritional supervision it remains a problem as some dogs suffer from nutritional deficiencies and that is why it is so important to have a suitable type of dog food.
A dog whose body has all the necessary nutrients and in the right amounts is healthy, however, when the animal is nutritionally deficient, your health starts to decline.
The generic symptoms of nutritional deficiencies are those that, although they do not provide information about which specific nutrient is lacking, indicate that the dog's health status is inadequate. these are the malnourished dog symptoms:
- Changes in thirst and urine production;
- Changes in the appearance and consistency of stools;
- Coat dull;
- Opaque look;
- Appetite disorders;
- Sudden changes in body weight;
- Skin disorders;
- Changes in behavior.
Symptoms of Carbohydrate Deficiency in Dogs
Carbohydrates are a macronutrient whose main function is energy. A malnourished dog that does not have the necessary carbohydrates will show weakness and general fatigue in the first instance, if this deficiency is not corrected, lethargy will progressively increase.
In the absence of enough carbohydrates, the body starts using fats as an energy source. Fats used for energy leave metabolic waste called ketone bodies. A clear symptom that there is a problem with carbohydrates (whether from deficiency or diabetes) is dog breath that smells of acetone.
Symptoms of Protein Deficiency in Dogs
Proteins have a structural function, they serve to repair, maintain and form new tissue, as well as small structures necessary for the body to function (immune system antibodies are formed by proteins).
A dog affected by a protein deficiency mainly manifests the following symptoms:
- Loss of muscle mass;
- Developmental Disorders;
- Infertility;
- Repeated infectious diseases due to immunodeficiency;
- Changes in skin and hair.
Lipid Deficiency Symptoms in Dogs
Lipids or fats are absolutely necessary in formation of cell membranes, organ protection and transport of fat-soluble vitamins.
Obviously, harmful fats are also not suitable for dogs, who must essentially eat essential fatty acids, otherwise known as healthy fats.
THE lipid deficiency in dogs manifests itself through the following symptoms:
- Dry coat;
- Desquamation and seborrhea;
- Predisposition to infectious diseases;
- Weight loss.
Vitamin Deficiency Symptoms in Dogs
Vitamins are a micronutrient, this indicates that the dog's body needs them in small proportions, however, they are essential because they participate in numerous chemical reactions.
Vitamin deficiency will present symptoms depending on the functions of the vitamin whose contribution is not adequate, however, the following symptoms are indicators of a lack of this micronutrient:
- Loss of appetite;
- Dermatitis;
- Decrease in body temperature;
- Changes in tongue color;
- Coat changes;
- Coagulation problems;
- Neurological signs.
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Symptoms of mineral deficiency in dogs
As with vitamins, minerals are also micronutrients and their deficiency will cause symptoms that depend, in particular, on the functions performed by the mineral that is scarce.
Despite this, some of the main signs indicators of a lack of these micronutrients can also be identified, they are:
- Growth disorders;
- Musculoskeletal disorders;
- Anemia;
- Repeated infectious diseases;
- Restlessness;
- Weakness;
- Dry skin and hair loss.
Malnourished dog: what to do
To treat malnourished puppy, as with many other changes, it is essential to go to the vet as soon as possible..
A nutritional deficit is not a trivial matter, as the lack of some nutrients, as we have already seen, can even cause neurological disorders. The veterinarian must initially assess the pet's health status and determine if any of the changes caused by the nutritional deficiency require pharmacological treatment. It is also important to identify which nutritional insufficiency is being experienced in order to undergo the indicated treatment. The specialist may simply rely on clinical manifestations or, in some cases, it is necessary to request laboratory tests.
Finally, it is important to seek help from a professional about what the care and feeding a malnourished dog are best suited for your pet and through which products you can improve your pet's diet. pet.
This article is for information purposes only, at PeritoAnimal.com.br we are not able to prescribe veterinary treatments or perform any type of diagnosis. We suggest that you take your pet to the veterinarian in case it has any type of condition or discomfort.