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MY PET IS SICK - WHAT DO I DO?
First - get to know what is normal for your dog. Each is an individual and you know your pet better than the veterinarian. Some of the observations might make you uncomfortable but they are important. They may even make the difference between life and death for your dog. The following are possible signs of illness in your dog.... Loss of appetite - a good warning sign that there may be something wrong however, keep in mind that dogs eat less in very hot weather, when in "season" or if traveling. If the lack of interest in food is combined with the below warning signs, or if continues more than a few days, take your dog to the vet. Diarrhea / dark urine - usually a sign that your dog has eaten something he shouldn't and not always something to worry about - BY ITSELF- but, if it's accompanied by any of the above or vomiting or a high fever, or it continues for more than a day, call your vet. If your dog has blood in his stool at anytime - take him to the vet. If your dog's urine is darker than usual, it could be an indication of blood in the urine. It's especially a concern if it's associated with either of the above problems or a high temperature in the dog. A dog that squirts or dribbles his urine could have a bladder problem, or in males - a prostate problem. Difficult or labored breathing - a dog will pant to cool off or when nervous, normally - Or if they are in pain or having difficulty breathing. If your pet is panting at bedtime, in the middle of the night or during cool weather - and it's not from nerves or exercise - this indicates a problem.
Drooping ear carriage - It may be a simple ear irritation but always a sign that there is something wrong. If cleaning the affected ear with an approved cleaning solution does not solve the problem and/or it's accompanied by head shaking and scratching, see your vet. Your dog may have a small object lodged inside or a nasty infection. Both ears drooping are another sign that your dog is generally not feeling well. Coughing, wheezing or sneezing - if the dog is coughing, it could be something simple, a virus perhaps - but if coughing is accompanied by panting, loss of appetite and/or, diarrhea or listlessness, you may have something much more serious - like pneumonia or heart failure.
Red
gums or eyelids - if your dog's gums or inside the
eyelids are not normally dark or red- red eyelids by themselves
may only be allergies. Dark gums may be normal in your dog but if
they're not - and your dog has any symptoms of distress - panting,
coughing, diarrhea or excessive drinking - they could be an indication
of serious stress or an internal disorder. Unusually dry nose - a sure sign that your dog may be unwell is the unusually dry nose. It may be normal in your dog, especially in dryer climates and older dogs but know what is normal for your dog, it is often a sign that your dog has a fever. The
following are other areas of concern concerning your dog's health:
Is
My Cat Sick? Here are some things to watch
for to determine if your cat isn't feeling up to par.
And remember - early detection of illness in your pet will make all the difference in your dog or cat's rapid and successful recovery. Please feel free to contact us should you have any questions or concerns about your pet's well-being. |
Is
My Dog Really Sick? There
are times dog-owners find themselves asking the question - is my
dog really sick? Is this an emergency or not? Here are some guidelines
to help you answer those questions. These are guidelines only -
be sure to check with your veterinarian if you have questions. 
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Our hours of operation: Monday,
Wednesday, Friday: Tuesday
and Thursday: Saturday: 8 am to noon Call our office @ (219) 462-5901 for an appointment. |
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McAfee Animial Hospital , 651 Eastport Centre Drive, Valparaiso, IN 46383, Phone: (219) 462-5901 Copyright © 2009-2010, McAfee Animal Hospital. All Rights Reserved. |