7 Signs Your Dog Is Sick - Sick Dog Symptom Checker
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xdlny7YD13k
Written by Dr David Randall, DVM
His father established the clinic in 1977 and the the younger Dr. Randall always knew that he would follow closely in his father’s footsteps. Dr. Randall graduated from the University of Florida, College of Veterinary Medicine in 1985 and began his career at Big Cypress Animal Clinic.
Dog Symptoms
- Dog symptoms are not actually that hard to read. Most people tend to have an idea that their best friend is sick right away. Here is a quick guide on how to tell what might be wrong with your furry friend:
Coat
- Take a close look at your dogs coat. This is an easy visual clue to how your dog is feeling on the inside. A healthy dog's coat will be shiny, which is an immediate indication of health. If your dog's coat is duller than normal, this may be a sign that they are feeling ill. Excessive shedding is also a bad sign. Shedding will occur with the changing of season, but be aware of times when your dog sheds more than normal.
Activity Level
- You know things are good when your dog gets up in the morning and follows you around. A warning sign is if you call them and they won't get up or are slow to get up. Any drop in activity level could be an indication that your dog may not be feeling good.
Eyes
- Dogs have three eyelids. If you can plainly see their third eyelid it may be an early indication of a fever. Another quick indicator is bloodshot eyes. Check the clarity of the whites of your dogs eyes to determine if there are potential health issues.
Temperature
- You can actually use a digital thermometer to check your dogs temperature yourself at home. Dr Randall recommends using a digital thermometer and checking the dogs temperature for 30 seconds. A normal healthy temperature will be between 99-100. If your dog has a temperature high above or below this range it may be an indication that they are feeling sick.
Other Dog Symptoms To Check
Drinking Water
- Too much or too little water intake can also be a sign of a problem. In addition to being a sign of stress in general, refusal to drink water is common among sick dogs, along with loss of appetite. Too much water could be a sign that they have a fever, kidney problem, or hormone issues. Along with many of the other dog symptoms on the list, extreme change in your dog's behavior is worth looking into.
Vomiting
- Dogs can vomit seemingly without reason sometimes. They actually have voluntary muscle fibers in their esophagus and will use them any time they think they may have eaten something bad. But, if your dog is vomiting excessively or vomiting blood, this is a good thing to seek help from a Veterinarian about.
Limping
- The issue may be temporary so keep an eye on they for about 24 hours. If your dog has been limping for more than a day, it may be a sign of a problem. Dr. Randall believes that dog's are slowing down and limping much earlier than they should be. A big reason for this is poor diet and poor joint and ligament condition. Consider giving your dog Flexpet, as a natural supplement to their joint health.
Written by Dr David Randall, DVM
His father established the clinic in 1977 and the the younger Dr. Randall always knew that he would follow closely in his father’s footsteps. Dr. Randall graduated from the University of Florida, College of Veterinary Medicine in 1985 and began his career at Big Cypress Animal Clinic.