Just like humans, dogs also exhibit some symptoms before the true form of the sickness comes into play. Some dog owners who don’t give their dogs attention, spend time with their dogs, or understand their dogs well might find it a little hard to understand these signs of sickness in their dogs, as the signs your dog may showcase when it is sick may be vague at first, making them easy to miss.
Since your dog can’t talk to you about how they feel in words you understand, they communicate to you how they think through signs, so you need to rely on the signs they show. In this guide, we will tell you about some signs dogs exhibit if your dog is sick and when it’s time to see a veterinarian for a check-up and treatment.
Also read: Common Dog Health Problem That Pet Parents Should Know
Signs Dogs Exhibit When They Are Sick
As said earlier, dogs communicate with us when they are feeling pain or sick through signs. So we will be listing out some common signs that dogs exhibit when they are sick; it is recommended to speak to your vet if you notice any of the following signs, especially if they last for more than three days:
- Appetite changes
- Reduced energy level
- Weight loss or gain (unintended)
- Lethargy
- Weakness
- Bad breath
- Odors from skin or ears
- Weight loss or gain (unintended)
- Anxiety
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Regurgitation
- Limping or lameness
- Wounds or sores
- Excessive drooling
- Excessive thirst
- Frequent/inappropriate urination
- Constipation
- Excessive scratching
- Dull, dry, or flaky hair coat
- Panting excessively or frequently for unknown reasons
- Nasal discharge or congestion
- Pain, such as whimpering or resistance when a specific area is touched
- Dizziness or imbalance
- Behaviour changes (Not acting like normal self)
Note: You should contact your vet as soon as you notice any signs that you find abnormal for your dog on a regular day. In some cases, your vet may provide guidance over the phone to determine if a specific issue requires urgent attention or if it can wait. If the situation seems urgent or concerning, they may recommend that you take your pet to a nearby vet clinic for immediate care. It is crucial to follow your veterinarian’s recommendations closely to ensure your pet’s well-being.
Emergency Signs of Sickness in Dogs
If you notice any of these signs of illness listed below, immediately take your dog to your veterinarian or a nearby veterinary clinic:
- Collapse or loss of consciousness
- Very pale gums
- Seizures
- Labored breathing
- Unresponsiveness
- Vomiting or diarrhoea, especially if there is blood in it
- Inability to stand or walk
- Trying to throw up, but nothing comes out.
- Bloated abdomen
- Bleeding profusely
- Severe pain indicators include loud crying, pronounced limping, aggressive behaviour when touched, and intense guarding of a specific body part.
- A sudden and drastic shift in mental state or cognitive function.
- After any trauma such as a big fall, hit-by-car accident, dog fight, or ingestion of any foreign material or toxic foods
How to Determine If Your Dog Is Sick
Being sick and injured may look alike, so it can sometimes be challenging to determine if a dog is sick or injured. Some of the signs a dog might exhibit when injured and sick may be related. Most of the time, dogs hide signs of illness when they first start to feel unwell, and this instinctive behaviour is believed to be a form of self-protection, as they don’t want to appear vulnerable in the wild. Additionally, dogs do not experience some of the emotional effects of illness, like fear of mortality, in the same way that we humans do. Due to this behaviour, dogs would most likely act normally even when they are feeling a bit unwell, so it is difficult to know when they are sick unless you are very observant and know your dog well.
Since our dogs cannot communicate with us using words we do use to communicate, it’s left to us to rely on their behaviour to be able to understand their current condition, either normal or abnormal. You, as a dog parent, obviously know your dog better than anyone else, so you should be the first to notice if your dog has changed in any way or if something is wrong with them. Conversely, family and friends who do not get to see your dog every day may only notice signs of illness when it is already causing harm to the dog, and signs of illness are visible, such as gradual weight loss or changes in behaviour, as when they see a very active and playful dog looking lame without strength.
Body Language
This is the quickest method of determining illness. However, body language in dogs can be subtle, but it provides important information that can easily determine if a dog is sick or not if you usually pay attention to your dog well. Take for example, a dog in pain may hold its head low, sit in an unusual way, or walk differently and may even out the tail below its legs when someone is close by. When dogs are stressed from illness, they might show appeasement gestures like yawning or licking their lips.
Behavior Changes
You may notice changes in how your dog interacts with people, other pets, and toys when they are ill. A sick dog might avoid social interaction or become easily agitated around others. They may stop playing with toys and lose interest in walks and activities they once enjoyed. Additionally, you might observe that they are less responsive to their obedience cues than usual, and they may hide or avoid contact and affection.
If you suspect that your dog is sick, it’s always best to contact your veterinarian for advice. Make sure to find a vet you feel comfortable with and establish a good relationship, so you can easily reach out when concerns arise.
Also read: How To Keep Your Dog Healthy.
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