When your dog is sick, seeking care and attention would be the last thing you can expect him to do. It takes a lot of sensitivity and knowledge about your dog’s needs and personality for you to notice that your dog could be down with something. Apparently, your dog can’t talk and use human language to tell you his health condition. Normally, too, he would even try his best to avoid being sick, doing all sorts of self-medication and concealing from you any wounds or symptoms. This is because instinct tells him that his survival and membership in the pack would be threatened once he falls ill. Certainly, knowing your dog well and the common signs of illness will help you keep your dog healthy and happy.
Physical symptoms
If you’ve been with your dog for a while, you don’t have to be a vet before you noticesome physical signs that your dog is not feeling well. Take a quick look at the following signs that your dog is under the weather:
- nose, ears, and eyes that are watery, especially when it has suspicious color and odor;
- skin patches and hair loss;
- wounds, bleeding, or swelling;
- coughing, heavy breathing, or too much panting;
- changes in stool and urine frequency, color, and texture
Behavioral changes
At times, you may not too keen on the changes in your dog. Especially if you’re a new dog owner, it may take some time before you get used to noticing what the normal behavior of your dog is. Keeping a health diary for your dog is very helpful on knowing your dog and spotting behavioral changes such as:
6. Abrupt changes in food and water intake;
7. Lethargy, listlessness, and unusual changes in activity level;
8. Vomiting, urinating, constipation, or passing stool frequently;
9. Signs of pain such as whining, limping, or inability to move;
10. Changes in mood, facial expression, and gait
Understanding your dog’s habits and personality is key in deciding whether your dog needs special attention from your vet or if they are simply acting up to get your undivided attention. However, if you feel that the symptoms your dog has warrant a trip to the vet, or even a phone call, then do so. It is always better to be safe than sorry and avoiding anxiety on your part will surely be worth any trouble.