About This Lesson
Finding Solutions Before Your Dogs Gets Sick
People say that man's best friend is a dog. So, how do you know if your dog is feeling under the weather? It can be difficult to know when your family dog is not feeling well. They cannot tell you and they seem happy just to be around you. Therefore it is important to pay attention to your dog's behavior, activity level, eating habits, and poop. This seems like a lot to monitor but it is our best friend we are discussing. Here are some red flags to look for when your dog is sick and how to help.
Behavior Changes can be Important
Changes in your dog's behavior could be a sign that your dog is not feeling well. Many medical issues can lead to changes in behavior. The changes could be as simple as a lazy day but if the pattern continues then you may want to get your dog in for a checkup. There are several medical conditions that can cause a change in eating habits, movement, senses, the ability to understand that cause a dog pain and irritability.
According to petswebmd.com sudden onset of aggression is one of the signs that there is a problem with your dog. Dogs who are normally docile that begin growling, showing teeth, or not wanting to be touched is a sure sign that you need to see your veterinarian. There could be a serious cause to this sudden behavior and your dog needs to be checked. It is possible that your dog could just be stressed. If you can not find a medical problem with your dog, then consider the environment. Have there been any changes that could be causing your dog anxiety? Finding the root of the problem will help your dog feel more comfortable and safer, which can reduce stress.
Watch out for Vomiting and Diarrhea
It is common for pets to have the occasional upset stomach but if it persists then it could be a sign that there is something wrong and medical assistance may be needed. Stomach issues in dogs can be a variety of problems. Some of these problems could be related to something they eat. In an article written in Medical New Today, the author Beth Sissons explains that dogs cannot eat all people food. Dogs have a digestive system that is different from that of their human companions, making some types of people food poisonous to dogs. Often when a dog eats foods that do not sit well on their stomach they are able to expel the food by way of vomiting or diarrhea. If these symptoms last more than a day or if there is blood in the expelled substance you will need to see a vet.
If you have a dog throwing up yellow foam it is a sign that they are expelling bile. This is a digestive fluid that the liver produces. Bile is stored in the gallbladder. It is used to help with digestion. Yellow foam could be from an empty stomach. The dog may not have felt hungry because of an underlying cause so lack eating makes the stomach expel just the bile. If this happens occasionally, then there may not be anything to be concerned with but if this is an on-going issue then seek out medical help.
Itching, Scratch, Redness, or Balding of the Skin
Itching in dogs can be annoying to the dog and to their human. Too much scratching can cause sores and pain in dogs. Itching, scratching, redness, baldness, or licking can all be more than a habit. These could be a symptom to a much bigger problem. Dogs can have sensitive skin and if not feed correctly or the right precautions are taken then severe skin issues can occur. According to the American Kennel Club, some causes of skin issues include food or environmental allergies, parasites, overproduction of yeast, and staph infections. Most of these problems need medical attention to solve. Parasites can be avoided by giving your dog regular treatments for fleas, ticks, and heartworms. Food allergies can be solved by slowly changing your dog's food to a non-grain, no-corn blend with real meat, fruits, and vegetables but sometimes this will need to be done under the guidance of a medical professional.
Whatever the reason you have to look for the best vet care near you, make sure to give your pet the best care at home first. This will save your pet from a life of heartache and pain. It will also save you money and time in the big scheme of things. So look for red flags when it comes to your dog's health and take care of issues before they become too big. Give your dog the gift of annual checkups to help keep them healthy and safe.
