Is your dog healthy? How can you tell?

Initial signs and symptoms of dog illness can be subtle and you may have to look closely to see the first clues. That’s why you need to keep a watchful eye on your dog. Early detection is key to your dog’s overall health.

First off, every responsible dog owner must have a good dog health care book in their arsenal. Armed with the right information it will make caring for your dog easier and you will know exactly what to do in the case of dog emergencies. Here is a good dog health care guide.

The more serious and advanced the symptoms become, the more obvious they will be. Some dog health symptoms may be difficult to spot at first. Here are some things you need to keep an eye out for:

Lack of appetite – Sometimes it can be difficult to determine if your dog is eating enough if you keep the dog food bowl filled all the time. That is why, some veterinarians recommend feeding your dog at the same scheduled times every day, so you can tell if your dog is eating enough.

Lethargy/Not Wanting to Move - When dogs become ill, many won’t move very far, have pain while trying to move, refuse to exercise, limping or has signs or injured paw/leg, or just general decreased agility. Theses can all be signs of illness or injury, and should be watched out for. Dogs that don’t feel well are often less active. Many times this “less active” sign is mistaken for “getting older”. If your dog is less active, the safest thing to do is have your vet check your dog out.

Loss of Weight – A dog’s loss of appetite is a good clue that your dog may be ill. Losing weight is another common sign of a doggie disease or illness. Sometimes it is difficult to notice weight loss, especially in longhaired dogs or dogs that you see every day and may not notice subtle changes. If your dog feels bonier, lighter, or you can easily feel the ribs, this could be a problem. Other symptoms may include over eating without weight gain, sudden weight loss, or diarrhea. Keep an eye on your dog’s diet and food habits to make this easier and to recognize when it happens.

Increased water consumption – Drinking more is often associated with a few diseases including kidney disease and diabetes mellitus. If you notice your dog is showing these symptoms, consult your veterinarian.

Bad breath – Bad breath, also known as halitosis, can result from dental disease as well as other metabolic disorders. There are many different dog dental products you can find to treat this.

Throwing Up/Vomiting – Vomiting or gagging is a very common sign of sickness. Some dogs will vomit occasionally and vomiting that occurs once a week or less frequently is generally not considered a big problem if your dog is otherwise healthy, maintaining his weight and having normal bowel movements. However, if your dog is vomiting on a regular basis or is loosing weight, this could be an indication of a serious dog health problem.

Difficulty breathing – If your dog has trouble breathing, this could be a sign of a very severe of illness. It is often caused by underlying heart or lung disorders. An increased respiratory rate, open mouth breathing, or a posture in which the arms are slightly abducted and your dog neck is extended, are all signs of troubled breathing. This is a life-threatening emergency. You need to consult your veterinarian immediately.

Diarrhea – Dogs will get diarrhea every now and then. Loose stools can be caused by the dog’s food, parasites, allergies and other gastrointestinal diseases. If you feel your dog is suffering from this dog health problem for a while now consult your vet.

Coughing – If your dog is constantly coughing, this could be a serious health problem. It could be a blockage or an underlying throat or lung disorder and should be evaluated when it occurs.

One of the easiest ways to diagnose these symptoms for yourself is to get a good dog health care guide. This way you will have a resource on hand, that will enable you to be able to tell whether you need to take your dog to the vet or not and save on unneccessary vet visits.