Do you want to know the ways to reduce the risk of your pet’s health deteriorating? If you want to become more aware of any symptoms of the most common diseases, here's what you need to do.
10% of pets, which look healthy in their owners eyes aren't. At a routine examination by a veterinarian these pets are already developing diseases. This is due to the lack of observation and experience.A visit to the vet should follow immediately if:
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Your dog collapses
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Loses consciousness
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Has fever
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bloated abdomen
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Swaying
There are less noticeable signs that your dog isn't doing well, and the owner should be more observant. Here they're:
1. Bad breath or drooling
Bad breath in dogs can be due to the accumulation of bacteria in the mouth. Diseases of the teeth, gums, tartar, or plaque are very common issues amongst dogs. But, if you don't see a change after the dental visit, this may be a signal that something else is wrong with your dog. Go back to your vet and have them check their lungs, intestines, liver, or kidneys. Bad breath can also be a sign that the animal's diet needs to change. If you notice more than normal salivation, depending on the breed, it could be normal. For example, Mastiff, St. Bernard, Newfoundland, Bloodhound, and Great Dane. Visit your veterinarian to determine if it's due to ingestion of irritants such as:
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Drugs with unpleasant taste or toxins
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Trauma to the salivary glands
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Tumors
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Swallowing disorders
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Neurological disease
2. Excessive drinking of water or urination
The physiological way for a dog to cool down isn't through sweating, but through the tongue. The body sometimes enables to control water loss, and the animal seeks a way to compensate. If he drinks more than normal or passes more urine, it's most often kidney disease, diabetes, hypercalcemia or pyometra.
3. Change in appetite associated with loss or gain
According to a study by the University of Copenhagen, dogs who are overweight live 1.3 years less than dogs with healthier diet. If the dog eats less, it may be a problem with the gastrointestinal tract, liver, kidneys, or neoplasm. Another reason could be a toothache or stress. A change of home or death of the owner can affect the appetite of your four-legged furry friend. If your dog has an increased appetite it could be:
If your dog has an increased appetite it could be:
- Diabetes
- Thyroid disease
- Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency
- Cushing's syndrome
4. Change in the level of activity
If your dog stops showing interest in things he used to do, these may be the reasons:
- Hypothermia
- Tick bites
- Colds
- Depression
- Overeating
- Pregnancy
- Stress
- Injury
More serious causes of apathy in dogs can be diseases of the:
- Gastrointestinal tract
- Cancer
- Problems with bones
- Muscles
- Joints and blood
- Poisoning
- Viral infections
- Dermatitis
- Parasitic infections
- Oral pathology
- Ear infections
5. Stiffness or difficulty climbing stairs
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Some breeds don't understand stairs at all (Dachshund, Corgi, Basset Hound, Chihuahua or Yorkie). Difficulty with the stairs may also be due to dysplasia of the hip joint, patellar luxation or vision problem. Some dogs may suffer from inherited health problems.
6. Sleep more than normal
On average, a dog spends half of its life asleep - 12 hours a day, and this is normal. If the animal's sleep patterns change, it may be a sign of depression or diseases such as:
- Diabetes
- Hypothyroidism (thyroid disease)
- Parvovirus
- Heartworm disease
- Leptospirosis
- Heart
- Liver disease
- Cancer
- Problems with bones
- Muscles
- Joints and blood
- Poisoning
- Viral infections
- Dermatitis
- Parasitic infections
- Oral pathology
7. Respiratory problems
If your dog coughs, sneezes, suffocates or has difficulty breathing, it is better to consult with a doctor. Pay attention on the way your dog breathes. If the breathing is slow and frequent with the mouth open, it may be due to:
Cardiovascular or hematological disorders
Neurological and other disorders
As for sneezing, in dogs it can be due to:
- Fungal infections
- Viruses
- Bacteria
- Parasites
- Dental problems
- Foreign body in the nose
- Allergies
Coughing can also be due to a fungal infection, mosquito-borne heartworm disease, heart, or lung problems.
8. Dry or itchy skin and wounds
Dogs can suffer from various skin conditions that cause inflammation, pain and itching. And beware - there are over 100 skin diseases in them. Skin problems are among the most common reasons why dog owners take their animals to the vet.
You will first notice that the dog scratched more in an attempt to ease his malaise. If there's hair loss, and it looks dry or oily, the skin will look red or dandruff, and it will crusts form. It will look like it's flaking and itching, then you have a reason to see a doctor.
Dogs can also develop allergies to fleas or food, and the main reason for this is a bacterial infection. Also check the ears, there are also visible skin and other problems.
9. Frequent digestive disorders
If the dog has diarrhea, it may be due to parasites, a virus, an upset stomach or due to a new diet.
If there is constipation, it can be because of many different gastrointestinal diseases. This can have serious consequences if not resolved fast. From poor diet to blockages in the colon and other parts of the gastrointestinal tract.
The most common causes for vomiting are:
- Gastritis
- Upset stomach due to spoiled food
- Waste or toxic plants
- Fast eating
- Inflammation of the intestines
- Running immediately after eating
- Blockage due to presence of a foreign body
Sometimes an upset stomach can be the result of other illnesses, so ask your vet what to do.
10. Dry, red, cloudy or watery eyes
Dogs adapt well to some eye problems. Gradual loss of vision or unilateral blindness, is difficult to identify. Canine conjunctivitis is the most common eye disease in animals and is often infectious. The causes can be:
- Viruses
- Allergic reactions
- Blows to the eye
- Irritants that have penetrated the conjunctival cavity
- Irritation due to twisting of the eyelid
If your pet's eyes darken, the cause may be cataracts, a disease that affects the lens of the eye. It can occur with age, eye trauma, diabetes, or genetic predisposition. Failure to treat it can lead to glaucoma and permanent changes in vision. If you notice the dog winking often, this may be one of the symptoms of blepharospasm.
Signs of conjunctivitis include:
Redness of the cornea
Swelling of the eyelids
Watery eyes
Different breeds have their own distinctive behavioral specifics.
The brief information we provided in this blog should not worry you. Instead of guessing, take your furry pet to a veterinarian and explain exactly when and what you are observing. And remember that you play an important role in the diagnosis process. Be more observant and spend more time making sure your dog is in good health, before things get more complicated.
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