The chances are that you dog does a lot of weird stuff, and that’s just why you love her, but how do you know when her little quirks are actually a sign that her wellbeing is in trouble? She’s not just man’s best friend; she’s family, so how do you get family wellness back on track? Ask yourself the following questions:
1. Does she have odd eating habits?
On a hot day, it’s not unusual for your dog to skip the odd meal. However, if she goes for two days without eating, or begins raiding the kitchen cupboards and bins when she’s usually well-behaved, it’s time to take her to the vet.
2. Is she always thirsty?
As dogs naturally produce a lot of saliva, an excessive need to drink is cause for concern. If your furry little friend keeps urinating, she may have a kidney disease or diabetes.
3. Is her coat rough or dry?
Your dog’s coat should be thick, shiny, and soft, so if it is otherwise she may be eating the wrong kind of food, or have an allergy or skin disease.
4. Is she sluggish or tired?
If your dog simply isn’t interested in going for a walk or playing, it may just be because of the heat or sore muscles. However, if it goes on for more than two days you should consult a vet.
5. Has she been vomiting?
It’s not unusual for dog’s to vomit to get rid of something that doesn’t agree with them, but if your dog is vomiting frequently, several times in a row, is vomiting blood or she has a fever, you should call the vet as soon as possible.
6. What does her stool look like?
Unless your dog’s stool is small, firm and moist, you should be wary. If, for more than two days, your dog’s stool is dry or hard, contains blood or mucus, or your dog is constipated or has diarrhoea, visit your vet immediately.
7. Have there been any sudden changes to her weight?
Sudden weight loss of 10% or more should be brought to your vet’s attention. Remember, if your dog is only small, this could be as little as one pound.
8. What do her eyes look like?
Your dog may have an infection if her eyes are cloudy, red, squinty or producing excessive discharge. This can easily be sorted with medication from the vet.
9. Is she scooting or dragging her rear?
This is an indication that your dog has worms, blocked anal glands, kidney disease or diabetes.
Comments are closed.