Don’t ignore 5 vital signs about your dog’s health

Just like humans, dogs can get sick and experience health problems. It’s essential to be aware of vital signs and symptoms so that you can seek veterinary care as soon as possible.

Since you don’t want your dog to feel any pain, it’s best to know these signs, and so you can get your dog treated as quickly as possible.

Vital signs you should never ignore about your dog’s health include:

Loss of appetite

Decreased appetite in your dog is a symptom you should never ignore. Indications could indicate significant health problems such as parasitic infection, heartworm infestation, and pancreatitis.

You need to take your dog to the vet to diagnose and treat this problem correctly. Treatment may vary depending on the severity of appetite loss. 

To deal with this condition, make sure your dog always has access to fresh water and plenty of clean food. This can encourage your dog to eat even if it doesn’t feel hungry.

If your dog isn’t eating, try to tempt them with their favorite food or treats.

You also can try a brief experiment to find out how your dog likes his food. Offer canned food instead of dry kibble, cooked chicken, or other healthy meat. 

Lethargy

While dogs typically sleep a lot, lethargy is never a good sign for your dog’s health. Take note if your dog doesn’t want to go for walks, play with favorite toys, or respond when the doorbell rings. If you notice your dog is lethargic, check its temperature.

Lethargy can sometimes be a sign of a fever. So provide fresh drinking water.

If your dog’s also not eating or drinking, that’s another vital sign you should take it to the vet.

For instance, if your dog is a Yorkie, then take it on a walk for exercise. If you are asking, how much exercise does a Yorkie need? Here is it, take your Yorkie out at least once per day and ensure it gets at least 30 minutes of exercise daily. 

Persistent cough or wheezing

Don’t ignore a persistent cough or wheezing. React immediately and take the dog to the veterinarian when this happens.

Coughing in small breed dogs can be benign, but a chronic cough needs attention.

For Labrador retrievers, a persistent cough could indicate a severe problem with the trachea. Be aware that your dog might cough for many reasons. Here’s what to watch for:

• Sharp sound
• Exhaustion after coughing
• Difficulty breathing
• Indication anything is caught in the back of the dog’s throat

You also need to listen to determine if it appears there’s fluid in your dog’s lungs. If it sounds like there is fluid in the lungs or if the cough persists for more than three days, bring your pet to the vet for an examination and further tests.

Skin problems 

An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure, and that saying certainly applies to your pet’s health. That means watching for even the most minor changes in your dog’s behavior or physical appearance could save you a lot of trouble later.

One symptom you should never ignore is skin problems, explicitly itching and scratching. Excessive scratching can lead to further skin irritation and infection, so it’s essential to take action immediately.

There are a few things you can do to help relieve your dog’s itching and scratching:

• Check your dog’s diet. Dogs with food allergies are more prone to skin problems, so it’s worth checking if they eat food that doesn’t agree with them. Try switching to a grain-free diet or one specifically designed for dogs with allergies.
• Bathe them regularly. This will help to keep skin clean and free from any irritants.
• Apply a topical treatment to the affected area. Several products on the market can help soothe itchy skin, such as anti-itch shampoo, conditioner, or lotion.
• Talk to your vet if the scratching is severe or doesn’t stop. There could be an underlying medical condition causing your dog’s itching.

Rapid or unexplained weight loss 

If you notice your dog is losing weight rapidly, don’t ignore it. Maybe your dog is still eating, or it’s not very active. Some diseases can cause rapid or unexplained weight loss in dogs.

The problem with ignoring the symptoms of weight loss in dogs is that these conditions can be life-threatening. If you address the cause of weight loss early, your dog can recover. 

It’s essential to know the symptoms of rapid or unexplained weight loss in dogs so that you know how to react.

Watch for vital signs and symptoms

Dogs are good at hiding the fact they don’t feel well. If you aren’t observant, you might not notice anything is wrong until it’s too late. Be aware of danger signs that indicate a severe problem and talk to your vet.

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