Dog Symptoms

Dog Symptoms - What to Watch Out For


dog symptomsIf you are able to recognize dog symptoms and problems, you will know whether you pet has a serious issue or something that you can handle yourself. If the problem is serious, you need to get your dog to a vet. Otherwise, you won't have to worry. There are quite a few dog symptoms that you should watch out for, so as your dog being lazy.

Sluggishness

When a dog seems sluggish it is very alarming to pet owners sometimes. This is especially true if they're normally very active! The problem with this dog symptom is that it could mean any of a number of things. Your dog might have liver disease or they might be struggling with a fever or a hormonal imbalance. No matter what the case, you should take them to a vet. There is really not a lot you can do for them if they continue to stay lethargic, and a vet needs to determine if the problem is serious or not.

Constant shaking

Another dog symptom is constant shaking. Shaking can be caused by something that is physically harming your dog or they can be a result of emotional stress. Sometimes there is nothing to worry about because your dog might just be cold. It's easy to tell if that's the case, so if it's very warm then you can rule it out as a possibility.

If it is warm and your dog's shaking could not be because they are cold, then there might be another issue. They might be excited, but if they continue to shake for a long time then they could have internal pain, and you should get a vet to check it out.

Not Eating

A lot of people worry when their dog doesn't seem to want to eat. This may be a symptom of an issue, but it's also normal for dogs. Unlike people, they don't feel like they have to eat at certain times of the day! It's also possible that they ate something earlier that didn't make them feel too great, or they could just be full.

Take note of whether or not your dog eats anything after a full day. If more than 24 hours have gone by and they are still not eating, then there could be something wrong. If your dog is not just full then they will start acting differently. They will start to act sluggish or lazy or seem depressed. If you start noticing these dog symptoms along with them not eating, then you need to go see a vet! There could be something wrong!

Weight Fluctuations

Other dog symptoms include fluctuations in weight. Many dogs are overweight because there are not given a proper diet and exercise. Sometimes though, you will notice that your dog is actually losing weight. This is usually not a good sign.

Unfortunately, if your dog is rapidly losing weight then you need to get some tests done at the vet to figure out what the problem is. Cancer could be the cause, as could diabetes or even a worm of some type. Advanced tests like x-rays and blood analysis will be done to figure out exactly what is wrong. In other words, if you notice your dog getting really thin, take them to the vet as soon as possible!

Physical Pain

What if your dog can't seem to get comfortable? What if they are constantly shifting around and licking a part of their body? These things are usually the result of some type of localized pain. It could also just be a very bad itch. Unfortunately, just like other dog symptoms, this does not tell you a lot about what is going on. Your dog could be in pain for any of a number of reasons. It might just be something that they are dealing with for a short time that will eventually pass. Of course, it could be a lot more serious than that too. Keep an eye on your dog and if they continue to show discomfort and focus on licking a part of their body, take them to a vet.

Diarrhea and Vomit

You might catch your dog vomiting or having diarrhea or you might find the results of those two problems. Either way, it's something that can be very bothersome because it makes you worry about your dog and you have a mess to clean. When it comes to vomit, it could simply be because your dog ate something that their body didn't like. It could also involve organ disease.

There are quite a few issues that are associated with dog vomiting, and they include things like pancreatitis and stomach ulcers. It's also possible that parvo is the cause, though that will be accompanied by other things, like sluggishness.

When it comes to diarrhea, there could be a number of causes as well. It might be that your dog ate something their stomach didn't agree with, and it might be something more serious. Usually, if it happens more than a couple of times, it serious and should be checked out by the vet. There could be worms or some type of intestinal problem that is causing your dog to have diarrhea.

For many people, it's better to be safe than sorry and going to the vet is the way to go!

Loss of Fur

It can be hard to tell if your dog is losing their fur since many breeds shed. It really starts to become a problem when you notice that your dog loses large clumps of fur in random spots. If you are noticing that you can see your dog's skin in those areas as well, then there might be a problem. Keep in mind that female dogs who have just given birth can lose fur on their stomachs, so if that is what's happening in your situation don't be alarmed.

Other problems that might be associated with a loss of fur are insects called Demodex mites. These usually cause our dog to start to lose fur near their head. It could lead to an infection, so you should get medication from your vet.

Choking or Coughing

Don't be alarmed if your dog coughs every once in a while. Just like humans, they can get stuff in their throat that they need to get rid of. If they are coughing all the time, there could be a problem with their lungs. They might some type of viral infection like a kennel cough or pneumonia. Your vet will be able to tell you what is going on pretty easily by asking certain questions. For example, if your dog is frequently around other dogs, it might be something contagious.

Itchy Skin and Scratching

Dogs that are frequently scratching themselves or biting their fur or their legs migth be dealing with fleas. Fleas is not a huge problem, because it's fairly easy to control, though you want to keep your eye on it. If the flea control isn't effective, it could be something like sarcoptic mange. This is a rare and more severe type of itchiness and it can actually affect humans too.

In some situations, allergies will be the cause of the constant scratching. Your dog might actually be allergic to fleas, so they'll be affected by both the fleas bites and the allergy. Either way, a good flea control solution will take care of your problem.

Physical Injury

The easiest of all the dog symptoms to notice is a physical injury like a wound or limping. If you notice anything like this, it's best to avoid letting the problem get any worse. It could get infected and it could cause your dog even more pain. Go to the vet immediately to prevent this. They'll be able to tell you exactly what your dog is dealing with and what you can do about it. They might even be able to determine whether there is a disease at work.

What you have hopefully noticed about all these dog symptoms is the fact that in most cases, it's the best to wait a couple of days to see what happens. If nothing does, the best course of action is to see a vet. Dogs are very active and it is normal for them to cough and get itchy every now and again. Don't freak out if they don't eat all their food or seem lazy one day. Take note and do something about it when the problem continues for longer than that.

 


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