• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
DogsBestLife.com logo

Dog's Best Life

The information you need to keep your dog happy, healthy, playful and loyal.

  • Top Stories
  • Blog
  • What We Do
  • About Us
  • Contact Us

5 early signs of illness in your dog

Posted June 24, 2018

 
Vet examines maltese for dog illness warning signs.
Consult with your vet if your dog experiences any dog illness warning signs.

Humans and their beloved friendly pets are similar in some ways; they need food and water for survival, feel and display an array of emotions, grow old, and often fall ill.

Unlike humans, dogs cannot verbalize how they feel, so it can be difficult to tell when they are sick.

Luckily, they show some physical signs and symptoms and behavioral changes that can point to a particular dog illness. As a pet lover or a pet owner, being aware of these signs and symptoms can make all the difference for your dog.

Taking the correct measures when you identify these early signs of dog illness in your four-legged friend can help limit their suffering, initiate treatment, and even save their lives.

Here are five signs and symptoms you should watch out for:

Dog illness warning sign: Vomiting

Vomiting now and then is no surprise for a dog owner. It can mean your dog might have ingested a bad treat or overindulged in a tasty meal.

Vomiting is the body’s way of getting rid of toxins. But vomiting a few times a day should raise alarm bells. Many vomiting episodes could point to a severe case of dog illness, including poisoning, viral or parasite infections, gastrointestinal issues, ingestion of foreign bodies, or organ failure.

When vomiting accompanies other worrying symptoms such as lethargy, loss of appetite, or vomiting blood, it is paramount to contact a veterinarian immediately.

While awaiting treatment, making your dog drink as much water as possible is essential since vomiting can quickly lead to dehydration and make the illness challenging to manage.

Dog illness warning sign: Diarrhea

Like vomiting, diarrhea is a common symptom likely brought on by the same illnesses that cause your pup to vomit.

If you notice diarrhea occurring more than a few times a day, it can be a cause for concern. If a high fever accompanies diarrhea, vomiting, or diarrhea containing blood, it is an emergency, and you should immediately take the dog to the clinic.

It might be helpful to get a sample of the watery stool before going to the vet to be used for lab tests.

Dog illness warning signs: Coughing and breathlessness

Coughing, in its harmless state, is often a reflex mechanism to get rid of foreign bodies within the respiratory system.

Persistent coughing that lasts more than 24 hours and even disrupts sleep could signify more worrying issues. A persistent cough can indicate dog illness, including bronchitis, lung cancer, inhaled foreign body, congestive heart disease, and many others.

If labored breathing or breathlessness accompanies coughing, that can indicate a more severe respiratory or cardiovascular dog illness.

Normally dogs breathe at a rate of 15 to 20 breaths per minute; however, if you notice your dog is breathing more rapidly, check the dog’s mouth. Look at the gums and under the tongue. If they are blue, it’s an emergency, and you must go to the vet immediately.

Dog illness warning sign: Fever

Running high fevers is typical for humans and dogs and often indicates an illness brewing.

A dog’s average body temperature ranges from 101-102.5 Fahrenheit.

You can use a digital rectal thermometer suitable for dogs to check their temperature. If your dog has a fever, consult your vet immediately to establish the cause and manage it.

Dog illness warning sign: Excessive scratching

While dogs routinely scratch, excessive scratching can indicate possible infestations of fleas, mites, or ticks. Excessive scratching also can be a sign of a fungal or yeast infection or, more seriously, an endocrine or hormone problem.

A quick consult with the visit will help establish the cause and allow you to start treatment.

Final thoughts

Taking your pup in for regular veterinary checks to help you manage his health and allow you to spot serious health issues early.

Getting a jump on most cases of dog illness will give you more treatment options and hopefully better outcomes.

Warning signs: 9 dog illness symptoms and what they mean

Related Posts

  • dogs eat grass
    Dog health: Why dogs eat grass

    Dogs eat grass if they have ingested something toxic. If…

  • Bernese Mountain Dog drinks from collapsible water bowl. Excessive thirst is a sign of serious dog health problems like diabetes, kidney failure, liver disease, leptospirosis, and Cushing's Disease.
    Dog health danger signs: Excessive thirst can signal dog health problem

    Excessive thirst is a sign of serious dog health problems…

  • Staffordshire terrier puppy wrapped in a blanket. Early warning signs of illness include behavior change, lack of appetite, unexplained weight loss, excessive thirst, and sleeping more.
    Odd dog habits? 5 early warning signs to spot illness

    Early warning signs of illness include behavior change, lack of…

  • Beagle rests on owner's lap. Dogs detect illness using their powerful noses. They can sniff out cancer, migraines, narcolepsy, and epilepsy.
    Can dogs sense human illness?

    Dogs detect illness using their powerful noses. They can sniff…

Share this post:

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Pinterest Share on Email Share on Reddit

Filed Under: Dog Health, Home Page Tagged With: Health conditions

« Previous Post
Next Post »

Primary Sidebar

Follow Us

Categories

  • Adoption
  • Dog Breeds
  • Dog Facts
  • Dog Fun
  • Dog Grooming
  • Dog Health
  • Dog Inspirations
  • Dog Training
  • Dog Travel
  • Holidays
  • Home Page
  • Puppies
  • Top Stories

Featured Posts

  • Tricolor Australian shepherd in front of white background. Take steps to stop dog pawing.

    Canine body language: What’s your dog saying with his paws?

  • Cute corgi puppy wrapped in a blanket. Talk with your vet about starting your dog on medication to protect him from parasites including flea and tick prevention, as well as heartworm prevention.

    Puppy training 101: 10 tips to prepare your dog for success

  • Thinking of getting a furry friend? Use the DogsBestLife.com perfect dog breed quiz to find the perfect canine companion.

    Take our dog breed quiz to discover the perfect breed for you!

Tags

Outdoor activitiesSocializationPetfinder.comPuppy-proofSheddingPoodlePandemicTicksPuppy kindergartenOld dogsSmall dogsPet sitterValentine's DayVacation dog careSeparation anxietyYorkshire terrierRottweilerPawThanksgivingService dogsWorking dogsPet parentsRescue dogPotty trainingtraining tipsWaterPomeranianVeterinarianPit bullTwo dogs

Footer

Quick Links

  • Home
  • Top Stories
  • Blog
  • What We Do
  • About Us
  • Contact Us

Recent Posts

  • Does my dog show love? Understand 12 signs of affection from dogs
    But how do dogs show their love? Let's take a closer look at some of the most common signs of affection from dogs. […]
  • Is a smart, loyal, hard-working wolf dog your dream dog?
    Wolf-dog breeds like Siberian Huskies and Alaskan Malamutes are loyal, smart companions that make ideal family dogs. […]
  • First-time dog owner? Try this 8-step dog nutrition guide
    Use this easy-to-follow dog nutrition guide for first-time owners to guarantee that your loving companion stays happy and healthy. […]
  • Discover the differences in 5 types of greyhound dog breeds
    Greyhound breeds known for their speed and graceful appearance include Whippets, Italian, Russian, Spanish, and Scottish Greyhounds. […]

Get Our Newsletter

Get more news to help keep your dog healthy delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for DogsBestLife.com's monthly newsletter.

© Copyright 2023 DogsBestLife.com online magazine · All Rights Reserved · Privacy
Get Our Free Monthly Newsletter

Get more news to help keep your dog healthy delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for DogsBestLife.com's monthly newsletter.