It is challenging for dogs to communicate with their owners when something is wrong with them; therefore, their health typically relies heavily on how fast their human recognizes a change in behavior. Therefore, several times owners will delay seeking the help of the veterinarian, thinking that the dog’s symptoms will resolve easily; however, they should understand that this can have catastrophic effects later on; a minor problem could eventually develop into a serious issue if left unaddressed a long time.
According to multiple veterinary organizations such as the American Animal Hospital Association, “early detection” is one of the most important components of keeping a dog healthy!
This guide is designed to provide an easy-to-understand overview of very clear and practical indications of when a dog requires immediate medical treatment from the veterinarian. By recognizing these signals you may potentially save your dog’s life—whether it is an acutely sick dog or an owner who has seen a gradual change in their dog’s behaviour.
Knowing the Difference Between ‘Normal’ vs ‘Abnormal’ Behaviour in Dogs
Every dog has his or her own special personality, unique habits, and varying amounts of energy, which makes it extremely difficult to define and identify what constitutes ‘normal’ for your pet.
Indications of Irregular Behavior
Although changes in your dog’s behavior may not always indicate a serious issue, long-standing behavioural changes may indicate a serious problem.
Examples of common behaviour changes include:
- Sudden or unexpected withdrawal, aggression or aggressive behaviour;
- Alternating between unusually long or short periods of sleep;
- Less interest in engaging with play; and/or less interest in participating in play;
Regular monitoring your dog will help you develop a clear, precise normative baseline that defines your dog’s typical and normal behaviour.
Monitoring your dog is consistent with the recommendations of levels of leading qualified veterinary professionals for the application of preventative veterinary health-care protocols round the globe and for promoting the long-term well-being of your dog.
Obvious Physical Signs Indicating Veterinary Care
According to veterinarians (the World Small Animal Veterinary Association & others), visible symptoms should always be taken seriously; therefore, seek the opinion of a veterinarian if you see any visible symptoms.
Some physical symptoms require immediate attention and are often an indication of a serious problem and should prompt you to consult with your veterinarian immediately.
These include:
- Vomiting / Diarrhea
- Limping / Difficulty Walking
- Swelling / Lumps / Bumps Without Explanation Redness, Discharge, or Cloudiness of Eyes
Multiple visible symptoms occurring together indicates urgency; therefore, the sooner you act, the better the possible outcome will be in your pet’s recovery. Follow your gut instinct; when it seems bad, act quickly by obtaining professional assistance.
How Nutrition and Health Issues Connect
In others, there may be serious underlying issues that need to be treated. It doesn’t matter which of these instances occurs; all of them indicate that noticing such changes will help a dog long-term health.
Digestive Related Issues and Bathroom Problems
Digestive-related problems that drive dog owners to the vet’s office are among the most frequent. Unfortunately, however, many of the signs or symptoms that they show are often overlooked during the early stage.
According to the American Kennel Club, ongoing digestive issues experienced by dogs typically needs to be treated by a veterinarian rather than home remedies.
Digestive Symptoms that are Common
Dogs can demonstrate symptoms of digestive distress in many different visible ways and the symptoms frequently will occur gradually.
Some signs and symptoms associated with digestive problems/concerns require that immediate veterinary attention needs to be obtained as they can become life-threatening in a short amount of time.
issues should never be ignored and are to be considered serious.
Respiratory and Breathing Issues
Rapid breathing, wheezing, or severe coughing are commonly associated with diseases caused by various types of infections and chronic illness. Veterinarians with the American Heartworm Society point out that sometimes, respiratory signs may indicate a case of heartworm disease or some type of heart disease.
Signs of respiratory problems
Canine respiratory signs/symptoms may occur suddenly or can take considerable time to develop. Dog owners should be alert to any level of change in how their dog breathes. The early signs of respiratory disease may be very subtle; however, if your dog has respiratory disease and you ignore it, the signs could develop rather quickly.
- Persistent cough or coughing/gagging;
Contact a Veterinarian if your dog is showing signs of distress and/or difficulty in breathing.
Skin and Coat Health Indicators
A dog’s skin and coat can be excellent indicators of his/her health and often times represent an internal health issue, as well as indicate an external health concern.
Indicators of underlying health problems for dogs experiencing coat problems may be excessive shedding, red skin, or bald patches.
However, untreated skin problems can develop rapidly, so being able to recognize them quickly is a key element in treating results associated with skin and coat issues.
Some common symptoms of allergies to skin and coat are:
- Constantly scratching and/or licking
- Blood present on the skin or red, inflamed, and/or itchy skin
- Hair loss and/or bald spots
- Fleas, ticks, rash, or other external parasites are present
If the physical symptoms of these types of issues are ignored it can result in the dog experiencing additional discomfort which may progress to greater issues later due to secondary infection.
Allergies and Skin Conditions
Many dog parents don’t give their dog’s mental state a second thought, but just like a person, dogs may experience cognitive decline with age, as well as experience depression and/or anxiety.
Signs include:
- Seizures or sudden collapse.
Having prepared with emergency contacts will allow you to obtain faster care for your dog in an emergency.
Conclusion
One of the fundamental duties of a dog owner is recognizing when a dog needs to go to a veterinarian. Dogs depend completely upon humans to be aware of the signs that their dog is sick.
