We like to think
that our dogs always feel great, are healthy, and happy, but
sometimes they can feel under the weather or have something more
serious going on. Because dogs can’t tell us when they don’t feel
well, as owners it’s important to know what to what to watch for,
and learn to read the signs that your dog isn’t feeling quite
him/herself. So, what are the signs they aren’t feeling well, and
what should you do about it? Here’s some advice that can help make
things a bit more clear.
Diarrhea or Vomiting – More than Just Once
Helping a sick dog
can be tricky since they aren’t able to communicate with you, but
some symptoms are much more noticeable and easy to catch. Diarrhea
and vomiting are two big signs your dog isn’t feeling well. If it
only happens once, then it’s probably nothing to worry about or act
upon, what you need to watch for is a dog that has vomited many times
in one day, or had diarrhea throughout the day.
Along with these
symptoms the dog may start to
get lethargic, start to become
dehydrated, and lose their appetite. There are all kinds of reasons
these symptoms can be occurring so it's best to get your dog into the
vet immediately. As well, try to encourage them to drink, and don't
worry about pushing food on them.
Diarrhea
and vomiting can be caused by eating human food. It is vital that
you check out the foods
your dog should never eat to prevent this from happening again.
Your Dog Suddenly Starts to Limp
If you have a dog
who is healthy and full of energy and suddenly seems to be limping or
having a hard time getting around, there’s a good chance they have
injured themselves somehow. In these cases,it’s important to give
your dog space, and not crowd him.Make sure he is somewhere safe
where he can't fall and hurt himself further, and that his water is
right there for him. Depending on how serious the injury seems, you
can give it a day and see if the dog starts to recover, or you can
call the vet.
Your Dog’s Breathing Becomes Labored
Just like with
people, dogs can catch infections from time to time. If you should
notice your dog has developed a cough, is wheezing, or seems
to be having difficulty breathing,
there is a good chance he may have a respiratory illness, cold, or
even allergies. Give your dog a quiet, comfortable place to relax so
he isn’t running around, and give the vet a call. It may be that he
needs a round of antibiotics to fight his bug.
Your Dog Loses its Appetite
Dogs are notoriously
known for being big eaters who don’t really care what it is they
eat. If your dog is a great eater and suddenly loses interest in
food, this is the time to book an appointment with the vet. Again,a
number of things could be happening. Sometimes a dog may even be
turned off his food suddenly. Without seeing a vet, it’s impossible
to know what’s really going on.
Be Your Dog’s Voice
Because your dog
can’t talk and vocalize how he is feeling, it’s up to you to be
aware of any signs he may display so you can act as his voice.