Does your puppy need to go to the vet? 5 signs that say yes!

Have you recently welcomed a new puppy into your home? Are you a first-time puppy owner? If so, you may be a bit overwhelmed with all that goes into puppy care and training.

Regardless of whether you adopted a puppy from a local animal shelter or purchased one from www.mdpuppiesonline.com, you need to know when your puppy needs professional help.

Watch for these vet warning signs so you know when to get your puppy checked. 

1. Strange eating behaviors

It isn’t unusual for your puppy to skip a meal from time to time. Puppies and adult dogs often will eat less if it is a bit hotter than usual outside. However, if they regularly miss more than one to two meals, then there’s something wrong.

If your puppy goes for two days (48 hours) without eating anything, then it is a clear indication that you need to have your puppy checked.

Some diseases result in puppies developing strange eating behaviors. If your puppy is usually well-behaved, but then begins raiding the garbage, this may also be a sign they need a checkup.

2. Your pup is extremely thirsty

Be sure to observe your puppy when it is drinking water. Get to know what “average” is, as each dog is different.

If you begin to notice that your puppy is drinking much more water than usual, then it may be a sign they have started to develop diabetes or kidney disease.

In most cases, you will notice that your pup is drinking much more water than usual if you are refilling their bowl more often.

Another sign is if they have to go out to use the bathroom more often or begin having accidents inside.

3. A dry or rough coat

When your puppy is getting proper nutrition, their fur is going to be soft, shiny, and thick. If you begin to notice your pup’s coat is dry, rough, dull, or that there are bald patches, then it’s a sign that something is amiss.

A skin disease, allergy, or the wrong type of food could be to blame.

In any case, it’s a good idea to visit the vet. Don’t let this problem persist, as it is only going to get worse.

4. Pup seems tired and sluggish

Another sign that something may be wrong with your puppy is if they are suddenly lethargic. Dogs that are lethargic are usually completely uninterested in going for a walk, playing, or doing any other activity that they typically enjoy.

Sore muscles and fatigue may often occur because of higher than average temperatures, and this may be normal. However, if the behavior persists for more than a few days, it’s a good idea to get to the vet.

5. Vomiting

From time to time, your puppy is going to vomit. In most cases, a puppy does this to eliminate something that isn’t agreeing with them.

However, there are some situations where this should cause concern. For example, if your dog also has a fever, vomits blood, or vomits several times in a row. If the vomiting is severe, it can lead to diarrhea and dehydration, so don’t wait to get help.

Conclusion

If you want to ensure your puppy remains healthy and happy, you have to know the warning signs that something is wrong. This list gives you a starting point to understand when you need to call the vet for your puppy.

 

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