How to Tell if a Dog is Sick

As much as you take good care of your canine baby with regular checkups at the vet, vaccinations at the scheduled times and a healthy diet--unfortunately, as with all living beings--illness is inevitable. Luckily, in most cases, there are telltale signs to look for. The following are ways to tell if your dog may be ill and requires a visit to the vet.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Observe if the dog has diarrhea and/or is vomiting. This may be an allergic reaction to food or something the dog swallowed that he wasn’t supposed to, and is often nothing to worry about, however, it could be an indication of something more serious. If the vomiting lasts more than a day or if the diarrhea lasts more than a few days or contains blood, mucous or is black and tarry, a vet needs to check it.

2. See if the urine is cloudy, dilute (no color) or contains blood. This is usually the sign of a bladder or kidney infection. Normal urine is a clear yellow. Too frequent or not frequent enough urination might also be signs of a kidney disorder.

3. Monitor your dog's water consumption. Increased water intake may be associated with kidney disease or diabetes. Of course, the more heated up or active your dog is, the more water she will drink. That’s why it’s important to keep close tabs on her drinking habits.

4. See if the dog's nose is warm and dry. This might just mean he is dehydrated and needs more water, however, it can also be a sign of illness. The nose should be cold and wet, but not runny.

5. Check inside your dog's mouth. If the gums are red rather than pink, it's a sign of inflammation or gum disease. Bad breath and/or drooling might also be symptoms of gum disease or tooth decay. Halitosis could also indicate a metabolic disorder.

6. Observe the dog's activity level. If she remains lethargic or listless; it could be a sign of illness. Since more sleep and less activity may also be attributed to age, it's important to be aware of how much sleep is normal for your dog. Lethargy, weakness, loss of balance or limping for no apparent reason is a good indication there may be something wrong. Conversely, increased restlessness might also be a sign of a problem.

7. Monitor your dog's eating habits. Look for a decreased/increased appetite or weight loss. Be aware of what a normal weight is for your dog based on age, food intake and activity level. If he has a loss of appetite or increased appetite for more than a 24-hour period, there could be something wrong.

8. Be aware if your dog has difficulty breathing or prolonged panting. This may be associated with cancer, a respiratory problem, heart disorder, or possibly heat stroke. Coughing might be a sign of an irritation or something more serious, such as cancer.

Tips & Warnings

• A cold, wet nose doesn’t necessarily mean the dog is healthy and a warm, dry nose doesn't necessarily mean she's sick. Taking the temperature is the most accurate way to determine this. A temperature between 100 and 102.5 degrees F is considered normal for a dog.
• You can take a dog’s temperature rectally with a rectal thermometer that can be purchased at a drug store. Apply petroleum jelly to the tip of thermometer before inserting it.
• It may be hard to assess your dog’s appetite if you keep his bowl full. It is better to feed him twice a day, once in the morning and once at night to get a better handle on how much he is eating.
• Seek veterinary attention if your dog eats grass more than once or twice in a 24-hour period. Dogs eat grass to throw up when they don't feel well.
• Have your dog's teeth cleaned regularly. Gum infections can easily spread to the heart and kidneys and become fatal.
• There are many illnesses and diseases that share the same symptoms, just like there may be symptoms when nothing is wrong. Don’t jump to conclusions or make a diagnosis before seeing a vet...and most importantly...don't put off going to the vet if any of these symptoms occur.

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[evelie]

on 8/22/2009 Hi. My dog is a terrier. Her poop is kind of brownish, sticky (like it has mucous in it) and smells fishy. She pooped 4 times today and I am worried if she swallowed anything or because of parasitic worms. I think she quite have a fever. This was just today. Should I take to the vet immediately or observe for more days? Thanks for your help/

[evelie]

on 8/22/2009 Hi. My dog is a terrier. Her poop is kind of brownish, sticky (like it has mucous in it) and smells fishy. She pooped 4 times today and I am worried if she swallowed anything or because of parasitic worms. I think she quite have a fever. This was just today. Should I take to the vet immediately or observe for more days? Thanks for your help/

[evelie]

on 8/22/2009 Hi. My dog is a terrier. Her poop is kind of brownish, sticky (like it has mucous in it) and smells fishy. She pooped 4 times today and I am worried if she swallowed anything or because of parasitic worms. I think she quite have a fever. This was just today. Should I take to the vet immediately or observe for more days? Thanks for your help/

[gamatti101]

on 8/12/2009 My dog is a 1 1/2 yr old Italian Greyhound. My dog was being watched for a week at my moms while I was on vacation. Within 2 out of 4 days of being back home I have come home to poop in the house, as well as vomit one of those days. My mother has 2 small children as well who like to run around with him, could this be why he is sleeping a lot the past few days? And could he be sick or just getting back into his regular eating routine?

[diggitydogg]

on 8/4/2009 Since your dog is so young, you should definitely discuss the options with your vet aside from steroid treatment and I would also recommend getting a second opinion, perhaps from a specialist. It could be as simple as a nutrient deficiency that is causing the immune deficiency. There are also holistic veterinarians or vets that practice both traditional and holistic medicine that can explore if diet is the issue and get your dog on the proper foods and supplements to build up the immune system. It may very well be inexpensive to fix. Please check into all of your options. Your dog is so young, I'm sure he doesn't have to be put down!!