How to Tell if Your Dog is Sick

"Is my dog sick?" It's a question that all dog owners will ask at some point. It's very important that dog owners know how to determine if a dog is sick, because prompt treatment will be less taxing on your dog's health and on the wallet. Read on to learn about the signs and symptoms of a sick dog.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A Thermometer
• A Knowledge of Your Dog's Health Baseline
• Access to a Veterinary Clinic

1. TAKE THE DOG'S TEMPERATURE: Begin by taking the dog's temperature rectally. A dog's normal temperature will be between 100.5 and 102.5 degrees. Due to the natural variation in normal body temperature, take your dog's temperature when he's well to get an idea of his baseline temperature.

2. EXAMINE THE DOG'S GUMS: Gums should be pink. Pale gums, grey gums, yellow gums, blue gums or brick red gums are all sign of a serious illness. Again, this is a case where it's useful to know what the dog's gums look like when he's healthy (also known as the dog's baseline.) Healthy dog gums can vary significantly between individual dogs, so it's useful to know what the dog's gums look like normally.

3. IS THE DOG LETHARGIC? A lethargic dog is usually a sick dog. This can result from illness, infection, disease, dehydration, internal bleeding, anemia, and poor appetite, among many other causes. Lethargy in a dog and a dog who sleeps or rests more than normal is likely to be sick.

4. IS THE DOG EATING AND DRINKING? When a dog is sick, he will often eat and drink less. It's also not uncommon for a dog to stop eating and drinking completely when he's ill. This is cause for serious concern, as the dog can begin to suffer from hypoglycemia and dehydration within a matter of a few hours.

5. IS YOUR DOG VOMITING? DOES YOUR DOG HAVE DIARRHEA? Diarrhea and vomiting can be signs of a life-threatening problem like poisoning from a toxin or an illness like salmonella. Secondary problems like hypoglycemia and dehydration can cause seizures, collapse and even death, so it's important to get a dog to the veterinary clinic as soon as possible if he stops eating and drinking. A dog with bloody diarrhea or vomit should get immediate attention at a local 24-hour veterinary clinic. Less critically ill dogs should be given sugar supplements with pancake syrup and small servings of unflavored Pedialyte to ward off the effects of hypoglycemia and dehydration until the dog is examined by a veterinarian.

6. IS YOUR DOG SHIVERING, DROOLING OR PANTING? Shivering, drooling and panting are both signs of stress, pain and discomfort in a dog. A dog who is exhibiting these symptoms is in discomfort and pain - a sure sign of a serious canine illness, injury or other canine health problem.

7. IS YOUR DOG NO LONGER ENJOYING HIS FAVORITE ACTIVITIES? A dog who eagerly anticipates his walk every morning may very well be sick if one day, he stays in his dog bed when you pick up the leash to go for a walk. If your dog is acting strange and if your dog is refusing to take part in his favorite activities, it's likely due to discomfort from an illness, disease or injury.

8. IS YOUR DOG COUGHING OR SNEEZING? Coughing or sneezing are common symptoms of illness in dogs. A dog with an upper respiratory infection or kennel cough will not recover on his own; a visit to the veterinarian will be required. And remember: dogs don't get colds like humans do!

9. IS YOUR DOG LOSING WEIGHT? Weight loss is common in a dog who is sick. A chronically ill dog will loose weight gradually over a long period of time, while a more acute illness will result in more rapid weight loss in a dog.

10. IS YOUR DOG SUDDENLY HAVING ACCIDENTS INDOORS? A dog who is reliably housebroken, but then suddenly starts pooping or peeing on the carpet may be sick. Incontinence and inappropriate elimination in a housebroken dog can be a sign of a serious systemic illness, or something more localized, like a bladder or urinary tract infection.

Tips & Warnings

• If you're concerned enough to look up the signs of dog illness on the internet, ultimately leading you to this article, there's a good chance your dog IS sick. Trust your instincts when it comes to your dog's health. If you suspect that your dog is unwell, you're probably right.
• If you think your dog may be sick, monitor his symptoms every two hours. Write down what you see (i.e. temperature, gum color, vomiting frequency, etc.) A log of the dog's illness will help the veterinarian to get a proper diagnosis for the sick pet.
• Avoid taking a dog's temperature right after activity like a walk or jog, as this will raise body temperature and give abnormally high readings.
• Also avoid taking a dog's temperature right after he's awakened from a nap, as body temperature drops slightly during sleep, giving abnormally low readings.
• Avoid examining a dog's gums right after he wakes up from sleep, as they will be paler than normal for a few minutes after awakening.
• The sooner a dog is examined and treated by a veterinarian, the better. The longer you wait to treat a sick dog, the more the illness will progress and that means the dog's condition will decline. This means that treatment will be more expensive and the dog's recovery period will be longer. Get help sooner rather than later.

Resources

• Is My Dog Sick?
• Infections in Dogs
• Home Remedies for Dog Vomiting
• Home Remedies for Dog Diarrhea
• Lethargy in Dogs
• Why is My Dog Shivering?
• How to Medicate a Dog
• First Aid Kits for Pets
• Wound First Aid for Pets

[bossypants]

on 11/23/2008 There's nothing worse than the helplessness and fear we experience when our beloved companions don't feel well. Thanks for the sensible advice and the practical methods of checking for symptoms (beyond checking the "cold wet nose!").