How to Tell if a Dog is Sick

As much as you take good care of your canine baby with regular check-ups 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.

[diggitydogg]

on 3/31/2009 Dogs can't catch the flu from humans and warm ears and a warm nose aren't necessarily signs that a dog is sick. But if he's not energetic and acting like his usual self after a couple of days, I would definitely take him to the vet.

[missladida]

on 3/24/2009 hello ..my dog is a (goldenretriver) about a year old and my mother and i have both recently had the flu and he licked our hand some times..and his nose is very warm and some what dry ..his ears are also ery warm he does not get up as much as he usualy does.. i am worried should we take him to the vet??

[diggitydogg]

on 9/24/2008 Hi Jon,
Dogs and cats normally chew on grass to aid in digestion. It's a natural instinct they have for controlling acid reflux...since they can't ask us for an antacid!

[jonhensley]

on 9/18/2008 Solid article. I can usually tell if my dog isn't feeling well based on how he acts.. he's generally very hyper and happy. When he's feeling a bit ill I can always tell. Also, he eats grass. Is it true that pets will eat grass if they feel sick?

[diggitydogg]

on 11/16/2007 You're right. That seems to be true with my dogs also. They'll turn down food when they're not feeling well...but never treats. But watch out for more serious illnesses like kidney disease where they may develop food aversions. I had a dog with renal failure that turned down her dog food and treats and even certain human foods, yet there were some things she would have an appetite for.