It is an unfortunate fact that dogs get sick just like we humans do. Animals cannot tell us what is wrong, and sometimes it can be difficult to know what they are feeling, so it is up to us, as loving and responsible owners, to look for and notice the signs if our beloved dog is not feeling well. We need to learn to interpret these signs in order to decide what we can and need to do in the given situation if our dog feels unwell.
It is well known that it is not always easy to recognize a disease in a dog, which is why it is important to look for various subtle signs that may indicate a potential problem.
If your dog behaves differently, if you think it is sick, it is important to know the warning signs so you can take the appropriate steps.
If you notice signs in your dog that are different from what is usual, never make a diagnosis based on books or websites!
Be sure to contact your veterinarian or take your dog to an animal clinic where they can provide effective help!
1. Changed behavior
No one knows their own dog and its habits better than themselves. But what if these habits suddenly change?
A change in a dog's behavior is one sign that something is not right with them.
Be especially careful if your dog suddenly loses interest in playing and walking, as the sudden loss of enthusiasm indicates that your dog is not feeling well.
When animals suffer, they can become restless and irritable. If a dog that was previously friendly wants to be alone for a long time, this raises suspicion of illness. In such cases, it is worth taking him to your veterinarian for a thorough examination.
Other strange behaviors that might suggest a problem include if a pet is restless, frequently changes position, cannot find its place, or on the contrary, is lethargic and sleeps much more than usual.
If you notice changes in your dog's behavior, also observe changes in their physical appearance. The ears should be clean and odorless, the eyes bright, and the coat shiny and full. Your dog’s gums should be pink, and its nose wet and cool.
Feel your dog’s body; if you feel lumps under the skin, that is a sign, a change in body odor is another sign, and any change in weight is also a sign that something is not right with them.
2. Loss of appetite
When dogs get sick, they often lose their appetite. This does not necessarily cause immediate serious concern because there are many harmless reasons why your dog may not feel hungry.
Sometimes it is easy to trace our dog's loss of appetite, for example, if a picky dog is given a new type of food, or if another family member unknowingly spoils him with all kinds of goodies, these can be reasons why our dog’s appetite is not as usual.
However, if you notice that your dog does not rush to its bowl at feeding time or seems to eat much less than usual, keep an eye on it. Animals often lose their appetite when they have a cold. Other symptoms may include trembling, shivering, lethargy. If the animal refuses to eat for a day, take it to your veterinarian or an animal clinic.
3. Refusal to drink water
Refusal of fresh drinking water is a greater concern than refusing food. Think about how thirsty you would be if you went even a single day without drinking – most healthy animals experience the same feeling of thirst. If your dog refuses to drink, take it to the vet as soon as possible because dehydration is extremely dangerous for both humans and animals and occurs in animals after 18 hours without drinking.
To determine if your pet is dehydrated, pull up the skin at the back of their neck. If the skin does not snap back immediately to your dog’s neck but stays lifted for a moment, your pet urgently needs water. Additional signs of dehydration include a dry mouth and sticky gums.
If your dog shows physical signs of dehydration and you cannot get it to drink, be sure to take it to your veterinarian, who will treat it with IV fluids and get to the bottom of the problem.
4. The appearance of breathing difficulties
Have you noticed that your pet is coughing, panting, sneezing, or otherwise struggling for air? These symptoms can be signs of many health problems, ranging from chest infections to other respiratory diseases and even allergies.
The breathing rate of resting dogs should be 15 – 20 breaths per minute. If your pet breathes much more often or much less often, or pants heavily without physical exertion, they definitely need medical attention.
Dogs (and cats too) can suffer seasonally from pollen or other allergens, but may also react to substances in your home such as perfumes, chemical air fresheners, and cleaning agents, some of which are highly toxic to both humans and animals.
Possible diseases causing your pet's bad breathing include colds, bronchitis, pneumonia, various heart diseases, and kennel cough.
Do not ignore a chest infection irresponsibly, as untreated respiratory problems can lead to serious complications that may even threaten your dog's life. Visit your veterinarian with your dog to find out what the specific problem is.
5. Vomiting
Vomiting in dogs does not necessarily cause panic. For example, if your dog has eaten something heavy or too much and then vomits it out, they will feel better immediately.
Nevertheless, you should pay close attention to the symptoms, because the cause of vomiting could be poison ingestion or may be due to a viral infection, as well as serious issues like heatstroke or kidney failure.
If vomiting continues all day, watch for other symptoms that indicate something more serious is behind it, such as stomach upset, diarrhea, dehydration, lethargy, decreased or increased urination, and blood in the vomit.
If you notice any of these symptoms on your dog and the vomiting lasts more than a few times, arrange an appointment with your vet for an examination as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, try to offer your dog water, giving as much as possible, to prevent dehydration, which greatly increases the risk of further complications.
6. Diarrhea
Occasional diarrhea may be indicated by your pet eating hesitantly as if the food doesn’t agree with them, and what they eat usually passes through quickly. In most cases, diarrhea is not a cause for concern.
While waiting and observing your dog, there are a few things you can do. Help your dog by trying to identify the cause of the illness. First, look around your house and yard to see if your pet may have eaten something toxic. If you suspect so, take them to the vet immediately.
Otherwise, try to protect your dog from dehydration. It's worth adding probiotics to their food or water to help restore their digestive system.
If you have ruled out poisoning suspicion, give your dog pumpkin. If fresh is not available, canned pumpkin is suitable for this purpose, but make sure it contains no sugar or spices.
Pumpkin provides a large amount of fiber to your dog and helps stop diarrhea. Furthermore, it is advisable to help ensure full recovery by fasting for 1 day, so the stomach can be completely emptied.
If diarrhea persists after the 1-day fast, make sure to visit your vet with your dog!
7. Bloated stomach
An overly full stomach is a result of overeating, which can cause many health problems, ranging from constipation to bloating.
A bloated stomach is a cause for concern, especially if your dog is lethargic and vomiting, or if the gums are white, yellow, or purple instead of pink, as these symptoms go beyond simple stomach upset.
You can also check yourself if your dog is in pain: gently hold your dog's abdomen on both sides with both hands and press lightly. If your dog shows signs of pain or you notice strong fluid accumulation after pressing the stomach, immediately visit your vet with your dog. Do the same if the animal tries to vomit but nothing comes up, as this requires immediate intervention. Large, deep-chested breeds like German Shepherds and Great Danes, as well as many other breeds, are prone to gastric torsion, which is sudden and life-threatening.
8. Scratching, scratching, scratching
Pets scratch themselves from time to time, especially dogs and cats.
If you notice your pet scratching much more than usual, it may indicate the presence of some unpleasant parasites, such as fleas, mites, or ticks.
If you detect parasites on your dog, treat them; a flea shampoo bath never hurts, but there are many other options to eliminate these unwanted pests. Besides treating your pet, you must also eradicate parasites from its environment. Wash all textiles your dog lies on and any others it has come into contact with, and clean its living area.
Other causes of constant scratching can also include various environmental factors, allergies, or deficiencies or excesses of essential nutrients, which can cause dry skin, itching, and dermatitis. In case of dermatitis, you can use a skin-soothing, moisturizing shampoo for bathing. If this does not relieve the itching, it is worth examining the diet and making changes. In some breeds, high-protein dog food can cause protein buildup, which also manifests as scratching and dermatitis.
If you have done everything and your dog is still scratching, arrange a visit with your veterinarian who can help determine through tests whether the problem is parasitic or infectious, bacterial in origin, or an allergic reaction.
9. Fever
Fever is a clear sign of illness in both humans and animals. But how do you notice if your dog has a fever?
The noses of dogs and cats are cold and moist. If your dog's nose is warm and dry, there is a good chance it has a fever. Touch your pet’s nose and the base of its ears. If you feel they are warmer than usual, it is probably feverish. But this should never be the sole measure. The surest way is to measure the fever with a thermometer.
A dog’s normal body temperature ranges between 38 and 39 °C. If the dog’s body temperature is 39.5 °C or higher, that is a fever. If the body temperature rises above 41 °C, the dog may be in life-threatening danger. You should not wait for this, so as soon as you notice the fever, take him to the veterinarian immediately. If you cannot take him right away, give him a fever reducer tablet made specifically for dogs to reduce the fever.
One more good tip. If you cannot measure your dog’s fever, you need to look for other signs that it is feverish. Such signs may include lethargy, chills, nasal discharge, coughing, and vomiting.
10. Aggression
Being sick is a different state in itself, and most small animals are a bit irritable and grumpy at such times.
You can usually calm an irritable dog by placing it in a quiet and calm environment, and a bit more space can also be great for them.
However, if your dog suddenly becomes aggressive or even violent, you must definitely show it to a veterinarian.
Dogs who are usually confident but become suddenly aggressive may be experiencing severe pain and use aggression to let us know to keep our distance and not touch them. If you notice your dog becoming aggressively for no apparent reason, do not delay; take it immediately to the veterinarian or animal clinic.
Unexplained, inconsistent aggression can also potentially indicate that your pet may be infected with rabies. This severe but relatively rare disease can be fatal, not only for our pets but for anyone bitten or scratched by the infected animal.
Other symptoms of rabies include paralysis, fever, seizures, difficulty swallowing, and lack of coordination. Immediate medical assistance is necessary if you suspect your dog is infected with the rabies virus.
This deadly disease is now rare in Hungary, as great emphasis is placed on prevention through vaccination. Now that you know the symptoms of rabies, never forget to vaccinate your dog against it to prevent trouble!
11. Urination problems
Every young puppy sometimes urinates indoors, but if a previously house-trained dog starts urinating indoors or urinates much more frequently than usual, this is a symptom that something is wrong.
Frequent urination may be a sign of a urinary tract, bladder, or kidney infection, which must be treated with antibiotics.
Sudden urination indoors can have many causes, ranging from general anxiety, separation anxiety, fear of thunderstorms or loud noises, to fear of car noises and fireworks.
If your dog suddenly urinates indoors, your first step is to observe its water intake. Sometimes dogs and cats suddenly start drinking more water than usual. This can foreshadow the onset of diabetes, which comes with extreme thirst.
Another reason for increased thirst beyond the usual can be the introduction of a new medication or an increase in the daily dosage of an existing medication.
One more important thing to watch for is blood in the urine. I think this is the most important because blood in the urine can indicate several diseases, including tick-borne infections. If you see blood in your dog’s urine, immediate veterinary examination is necessary.
12. Bad breath
Let’s face the facts, dogs’ breath is not really pleasant smelling.
If your dog’s breath smells very unpleasant, it can be a cause for concern. Chronic bad breath may indicate that you need to pay more attention to your dog’s oral hygiene and that it's time for a visit to a veterinary dental specialist. However, it can also signal other illnesses, such as stomach problems, liver or kidney issues.
A sudden onset of foul breath justifies an as-soon-as-possible visit to the vet, since fruity-smelling breath, especially when accompanied by unquenchable thirst and frequent urination, points to diabetes.
Urine-smelling breath indicates kidney disease, and the numbingly unpleasant breath accompanied by vomiting, yellow eyes and gums, and loss of appetite may indicate liver problems.
To keep your dog's breath healthy, give them chew toys that strengthen their teeth and gums, and daily dental chews that clean their teeth and freshen their breath. Also, feed your dog easily digestible food to prevent stomach problems, which result in bad-smelling breath.
Brushing your dog's teeth controls the continuous maintenance of their teeth and thus helps preserve their overall health. Brushing twice a week helps prevent gum disease and tooth loss in dogs of all ages. Toothbrushes and toothpaste specifically made for dogs are already available and can be purchased at pet stores. If for any reason you cannot brush your dog's teeth, I recommend consulting a qualified professional.
Regular dental specialist care is also advisable, especially if your dog has tartar, as these should be removed periodically.
13. Runny Nose
There can be various causes if your dog has a runny nose.
Depending on the color, viscosity, and duration of the nasal discharge, your dog may simply have a cold, but it could also be a more severe problem requiring veterinary help.
Watery, clear nasal discharge accompanied by sneezing indicates irritated nasal passages, and it will likely resolve on its own within a few hours.
If the runny nose is not accompanied by sneezing, it could mean your dog is excited or nervous, but it may also indicate allergies or a viral cold.
If the runny nose is accompanied by retching and choking, the cause is likely nasal-pharyngeal discharge that requires prompt attention. If the nasal discharge is thick and dense, the dog is probably suffering from a bacterial or fungal infection, in which case veterinary examination is essential.
If your dog’s nose cannot drain, a foreign object or material is likely blocking its nasal passages. The cause can also be tumors or fistulas.
Any of the above situations can damage the nasal cavity and mucous membranes and cause bloody nasal discharge or nosebleeds.
Bloody nasal discharge can indicate von Willebrand disease, a clotting disorder associated with bleeding tendencies similar to hemophilia.
Yellow nasal discharge accompanied by fever and coughing suggests the flu, which also requires veterinary care.
14. Sneezing
Like humans, dogs also sneeze. Occasional sneezing is completely normal and nothing to worry about. Sneezing simply means something is tickling the animal’s nose, or it could mean it’s cold.
Sneezing can also be a sign of nasal passage irritation. Dogs’ noses are very sensitive, and certain scents used by humans can irritate them. These include various perfumes, scented air fresheners, hairsprays, and thick smoke.
Sometimes sneezing is more serious than we might think, requiring veterinary attention. If sneezing is continuous and very severe, or if nasal discharge accompanies the sneezing, it is likely that the dog is ill. In such cases, you should always take your dog to the vet.
Sneezing accompanied by watery nasal discharge and face rubbing can indicate canine atopy, a common allergy in dogs that mainly develops when the dog’s immune system overreacts to allergens present in the airborne environment.
Prolonged sneezing can cause swelling of the nasal membranes, resulting in uncomfortable congestion, as well as noisy breathing or snoring. If sneezing lasts longer than 2-3 days, it is best to take your pet to your veterinarian for an examination.
15. Nosebleed
Nosebleeds are often caused when your dog’s nasal passages are dry or irritated by allergens or foreign bodies.
At the same time, a nosebleed may indicate the presence of parasites in the nasal mucosa, often accompanied by sneezing, which further increases bleeding and may progressively worsen.
If your dog has a nosebleed, the most important thing you can do at the beginning is to calm your dog, then wrap an ice pack in a towel and press it onto your dog's bleeding nose to help stop the bleeding. As a substitute for the ice pack, any ice-cold pack found in the freezer can be suitable; the key is to wrap it in a towel and press it onto your dog's bleeding nose this way.
If you notice a visible wound inside the dog's nose, apply pressure to it with a clean gauze pad or a damp paper towel.
If you observe internal trauma on your dog, for example, if it was hit by a car and fell badly or got into a fight with another dog and injured its nose, be sure to take it to the veterinarian to rule out a life-threatening condition.
If you cannot determine the obvious cause of the nosebleed or if you cannot reduce or stop the bleeding within half an hour, immediately take your dog to the vet, as losing a lot of blood can become an emergency.
16. Tail chasing
Sometimes a dog simply enjoys chasing its tail, running around in circles after it. But if it keeps doing this continuously, it is a reason to visit your veterinarian with your dog.
If the dog chases its tail in circles, it seems dizzy, and an inner ear infection is possible.
Specifically, the labyrinth, the inner ear, is responsible for balance. This organ acts like a gyroscope that helps maintain the animal's balance, good posture, coordination, and coordinates eye movements.
Inner ear inflammation, labyrinthitis, is an infection of the inner ear. Its symptoms are abnormal posture with lowered head, lack of coordination, and loss of balance.
Another cause of tail chasing could be Idiopathic Vestibular Syndrome (Geriatric Balance System disease), which mostly affects dogs over 8 years of age. This is a sudden onset, quite common disease, and its symptoms include the animal holding its head to one side, standing swaying, and being reluctant to move. This disease is always accompanied by vomiting.
Many mistakenly think that these dogs have a "stroke," which is rare in dogs. In Geriatric Vestibular Syndrome, it is an acute, non-progressive disease of the vestibular apparatus of one side of the inner ear and not a central nervous system disease.
If you notice these symptoms in your dog, an urgent visit to the veterinary clinic is recommended, definitely for a thorough examination.
17. Eating feces
The official term for this behavior is "Coprophagia," the dog eating poop, which, although disgusting and disturbing behavior, is very common.
What could be the solution? You might not think so, but pineapple helps in cases of "Coprophagia." As already mentioned, eating feces, "Coprophagia," is a very common condition in dogs. This raises many questions, such as why does the dog eat its own feces? One theory is that the dog eats feces because it senses undigested nutrients in it, which indicates a weak digestive system.
It is not a good idea to turn a blind eye to feces eating. Eating feces can lead to intestinal parasite infection. As a preventive measure, give your dog pineapple, as pineapple has an effect that strengthens the dog's digestive ability and digestive system. Shortly after starting to eat pineapple, eating feces stops. Another theory is that the taste of pineapple contributes to the dog no longer eating feces.
18. Intestinal gases
Another very unpleasant problem in dogs can be intestinal gases. Their most common cause is that the dog swallows a lot of air while eating. But it is also an absorption disorder syndrome in which gas formation is related to improper digestion of carbohydrates.
The sudden onset of gases is accompanied by abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, or loss of appetite, which is also a cause for concern and raises the possibility of a visit to the veterinarian to rule out serious diseases.
To prevent a healthy dog from bloating and the resulting unpleasant odors, it is worth keeping it on a low-fiber diet and avoiding feeding foods that cause bloating.
To reduce intestinal gases, it is advisable to feed the dog charcoal-based biscuits, which help absorb excess gases. In addition, the dog can be treated with a drug called Simethicone, used for both humans and animals, which absorbs gas in the intestines. Ask your veterinarian for the appropriate dose according to your dog's size and weight.
Detecting symptoms of some diseases and the question of further actions simply require attention from a responsible dog owner.
We hope that by detailing the 18 symptoms described above, we have provided you with a little help in those cases if you notice any of these symptoms in your pets, so that you can recognize them and take the necessary steps for the health of your dogs. And for a responsible dog owner, nothing can be more important than the health of their dog!
Please share this post with your friends and other dog lovers as well, because it may be useful to them too! Thank you!
.
More useful and valuable articles for dog lovers can be viewed on the author's official website.
Visit the official website of dog article writer and author Ildikó Vámosi:
Http://ildikovamosi.hu/
🙂 Thank you if you honor us with your visit! 🙂
