Content
- sick dog
- Stool changes
- Gases
- Frequency and quantity of pee
- Drink more or less water than normal
- Constant tiredness (lethargy)
- Bad breath
- lose or gain weight
- Lack of appetite
- Coat changes
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fever
- Sick Dog Symptoms Harder to Identify
- hard abdomen
- Injuries and changes in mucous membranes
- Seek veterinary assistance
A sick dog can manifest this condition in different ways, many of which are noticeable in changes in behavior each day, while others need a little more attention. As important as identifying these signs is to be aware that only a veterinarian can diagnose and recommend the most appropriate treatment for each case. If you suspect your dog is not doing well, in this PeritoAnimal post we explain 13 Common Symptoms in a Sick Dog, so that you can treat him as soon as possible.
sick dog
If you are not sure that your friend is unwell, one of the key points is to know that a sick dog it changes your routine. For this, you can notice some of these very simple but essential signs to detect the problem as soon as possible:
Stool changes
It's easy to notice if your dog is pooping more or less than usual. Both a bowel movement and diarrhea are signs of a sick dog in some cases. The same is also true for the consistency of the stool or the presence of blood in it. In case of diarrhea it is essential to go to a veterinary clinic to avoid dehydration.
Gases
Expelling gas more often than normal may be a simple reaction to a change in diet, but it may also be a sign of stomach problems caused by indigestion, reactions, food infections, or intestinal parasites.
Frequency and quantity of pee
You can also try to notice the amount of urine your dog has. If you think he's been peeing less than usual or noticed an excess in amounts (polyuria), look for other symptoms and seek veterinary help.
Drink more or less water than normal
A sick dog can also show symptoms related to drinking water. In general, the normal amount of water a dog drinks per day is 100 ml for each kilo. If you notice excessive thirst (polydipsia) or lack thereof, it is essential to seek veterinary help. These symptoms can be common in kidney or stomach problems, for example.
Constant tiredness (lethargy)
Behavioral changes are also symptoms of a sick dog. If you miss things he used to do before, such as waiting for you at the door, asking to walk, wanting to play or climbing on the couch, for example, know that these can also be signs that the dog is not well. Lethargy can be a sign of stomach problems, heart problems, anemia, or parasites.
Bad breath
Poor hygiene is usually one of the common causes of canine bad breath, it can lead to other problems such as gingivitis or periodontitis, but it is not the only cause. Some pathological disorders also have halitosis as a symptom of the sick dog. A sweeter or fruitier breath, for example, can be a sign of diabetes, while an ammonia-scented breath can be a sign of kidney problems.
lose or gain weight
If the dog follows a balanced diet and there are no changes, both the predisposition to gain weight and weight loss are warning signs for a health problem.
Lack of appetite
The changes in weight, described above, are not necessarily related to changes in appetite. So, as in the case of hydration, it's also worth keeping an eye on the amount of food your dog has been eating. THE canine anorexia, for example, could be a sign of parasites, stomach, kidney or liver problems.
Coat changes
Coat is an important indicator of dog health. A sick dog may show noticeable signs in its fur such as changes in color, excessive fall or lack of shine, for example. If you notice these changes, consult your veterinarian for a correct diagnosis.
Nausea and vomiting
Every tutor should know that vomiting is a clear sign of a dog that is sick or having a problem at the time. This symptom can appear in many pathologies: stomach, kidney or liver problems. THE nausea, in turn, is not always easily detected and can be confused with cough.
Fever
THE dogs body temperature it can vary between 38.5°C to 39.4°C, much higher than that of humans, and puppies tend to have a higher body temperature than adults. The only way to tell if a dog has a fever is to measure its temperature, usually with a rectal thermometer, as explained in the video below:
Sick Dog Symptoms Harder to Identify
The sick dog symptoms described above are easily identified by an attentive tutor. The symptomatology of many canine health problems, however, is not always detected in noticeable physical changes or changes in behavior. If you suspect your dog is not doing well, it is also important to be aware of the following signs:
hard abdomen
We don't always notice the tightness of a dog's abdomen, but if you've noticed other symptoms of a sick dog on this list, you can check the dog's abdomen. Rigidity can be a sign of stomach problems.
Injuries and changes in mucous membranes
The mucous membranes are another aspect we don't always notice in puppies. If you are suspicious of a sick dog and have already noticed other symptoms, know that lesions and change of tone in mucous membranes (pale or yellowish color) they are also symptoms that should be evaluated by a veterinarian.
Seek veterinary assistance
It is never too much to repeat: a sick dog can and should be treated by its guardians, but the correct diagnosis for it to recover as soon as possible can only be given by a specialist. So when you experience any of the symptoms mentioned above, don't wait and get help. The sooner your friend receives care, the sooner he will be feeling better.
At PeritoAnimal we are aware that in many families veterinary care is not always included in the budget. Even so, there are cheaper or even free options to maintain the dog health calendar. If this is your case, we recommend our post Free veterinarian: free and low-priced service locations.
We wish your dog a quick recovery!
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.