How to Tell when your dog is sick

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By knewf
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Jenna is under the weather

Catching a dog's sickness at the beginning is most important. Knowing when there are even slight variations in your dog's attitudes and daily habits can sometimes make the difference in a life and death situation for your pet. When your dog goes "off feed", it could mean he is coming down with something. If it lasts for more than one day, then it is time to take a closer look.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

digital thermometer
you will need to know the normal respiration rate of your dog when at rest

Step 1

Check your dog's temperature. The dog's normal temperature is 102 degrees but may normally be lower than that for a giant breed. You should know what your dog's NORMAL temperature usually is. You take the temperature with a digital thermometer . Lubricate the end with vaseline and gently insert just a very short distance into the rectum. Wait until the thermometer beeps or quits rising. If the temperature is higher than 105 degrees your dog is in immediate life threatening danger. If the temperature is 103-104 you have a little time and can check other symptoms, but higher than that is WAY too high and you must reduce the temperature immediately.
Step 2

Check your dog's respiration rate. If he is panting or breathing faster than normal at rest, there is a reason for this and it may also be a danger sign.
Step 3

Check to see that your dog is eating and drinking as normal. If he is turning down his food and not wanting to drink, this is a serious sign. Turning down food may not be so serious, especially if the dog is normally "picky" but not drinking for more than 24 hours may be an indication of something very serious.
Step 4

Check to see that the dog is moving normally. Is he walking stiffly, getting up and down stiffly, not moving or wanting to move at all? There may be an injury you are unaware of.
Step 5

Check the dog's mucous membranes. This is done by pressing with your finger on the gum just below the tooth line. The gum will go "white" when you press but the color should return to normal quickly after you release the pressure. If it remains "white" then the dog may be anemic or have some sort of serious problem.
Step 6

Check your dog's abdomen. Is it soft? It should not be swollen and should not be hard.
Step 7

Check your dog's "attitude". Is he restless? Is he lethargic? Is he drooling? Is he not caring to get up and wag when you call his name. Is he turning down hand fed treats? All of these things or some of these things can be danger signs.
Step 8

Check your dog's lymph glands. Are they swollen? The lymph glands that are most easy to check are located just under the jawbones in the dog's neck, or along the back of the thighs on his hind legs. If they are swollen this is also a danger sign.
Step 9

Is the dog coughing or hacking? This may be a symptom of something caught in the throat.
Step 10

Are the dog's stools normal? If not, this may be a symptom of an intestinal infection.
Step 11

Is the dog urinating normally? If he is urinating More frequently or less frequently, either one of these can be a symptom of a problem developing.
Step 12

Keep track of all of the above mentioned possibilities and symptoms so that you can tell them all to the vet, and then CALL THE VET if any of these symptoms are going on for more than 12-24 hours.