Blog: Signs of Illness in Pets

Last week we covered basic preventative care for dogs and cats that are healthy. Vaccinations, parasite screenings, parasite prevention, and dental care can all help keep your pet healthier, but how do you know when your pet is sick?  When do you need to take your pet to the doctor?  Should you ever “wait and see”?

Luckily, many pets seem to stay relatively healthy over their lifetime.  However, there are a few things to watch for that indicate the need for a trip to the veterinarian:

• Changes in appetite or water intake
• Sudden weight loss or weight gain
• Increased urination or accidents in the house
• Inability to urinate or defecate
• Vomiting or diarrhea
• Discharge from the nose, cough or difficulty breathing
• Changes in the appearance of the eyes (squinting, discharge, redness, cloudiness, elevation of the third eyelid)
• Limping or difficulty getting around
• Swelling or a newly observed mass or growth
• Change in pet’s demeanor or interaction with the family
• Vocalization or signs of pain (lethargy, panting, decreased appetite)
• Lethargy or decreased activity
• Changes in the skin (swelling, rashes, redness, scabs, cuts, hair loss, hives)
• Itching, scratching or discoloration to skin or hair
• Ear pain, redness, odor or discharge
• Weakness or seizures
• Bad breath or dropping food
• Greasy hair, dandruff or lack of grooming
• Broken toenails or injuries to the pads

Obviously this list is not all inclusive, however it does give you an idea of some of the major things to watch for.  If you see these signs of illness, it is an indication that your pet is not feeling well and they need to see the veterinarian.

In general, the “wait and see” approach can delay necessary treatment and prolong healing time for your pet.  Seeking advice from sources other than veterinary professionals to avoid going to the doctor can be dangerous.  We encourage all of our pet parents to contact us with any questions so that they can have the best information when seeking care for their pets.  While friends and neighbors may be well meaning, seeking advice from people who are not medically trained for pet care can worsen a pet’s illness or result in potentially life-threatening drug administration or interactions. Many illnesses have similar clinical signs and what might have helped one condition, or one pet, could worsen, or kill, another.  In addition, certain medications can not be given to pets at all and some medications can not be given together.  Old recommendations may not be advisable or the safest options, such as giving a pet aspirin for pain. Your veterinary professionals will be aware of all of these possibilities and can help keep your pet safe during treatment.  There are a few instances where your veterinarian might be able to guide you on home care to help your pet feel better, but this should ONLY be done under the advice of your veterinarian that personally knows your pet.  While the occasional animal may have an episode of diarrhea or vomit once and be fine, repeated signs of illness need to be checked out to ensure that there is not a more serious problem going on.

When all else fails, put yourself in their shoes.  If you had an illness, you would want to feel better.  So does your pet.  They can not speak for themselves, so be on the lookout for any of these signs that they may be suffering from an illness.  If you see anything out of the ordinary or you think that your pet might be sick, make sure to give your veterinarian a call and NEVER treat your pet at home with any medications without directions from your veterinarian first!