How to Take Care of Sick Dogs

Caring for a sick dog can be a frightening and nerve-wracking experience. The key to caring for a sick dog is to get a diagnosis from a veterinarian as soon as possible; it's impossible to effectively treat and care for a sick dog without a diagnosis. And unfortunately, some owners may postpone a visit to the veterinarian only to find that their dog gets even sicker. So while these tips will help dog owners to care for a sick dog, these steps are not a substitute for a visit to the veterinarian.

Things You'll Need

• Pen and notebook Digital thermometer Unflavored Pedialyte Skinless chicken or hamburger White rice or cottage cheese Humidifier

Instructions

1. Begin by starting a "dog log" --a notebook of the dog's symptoms and vital signs, which should be checked three to four times per day. This information will help owners and the veterinarian to determine if the dog is improving or worsening. The progression of an illness can also provide clues as to what disease or illness is affecting the dog.

2. Check the dog's vital signs three to four times per day and write down the results in the dog log. Normal temperature is between 100.5 and 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit. Also monitor respiration. Normal respiration rate will vary depending on the dog's size. A smaller dog will have a faster respiration rate, while a larger dog will have a slower respiration rate. The normal range is between 10 to 30 breaths per minute.

3. Check the dog's gums. Are the dog's gums pale? If so, this indicates illness. White or grey gums in a dog indicate an acute illness that requires immediate veterinary attention. Other abnormal gum colors that indicate a medical emergency include blue, yellow or brick red gums. Also check the dog's gums to determine if the dog is dehydrated. A dehydrated dog's gums will be sticky and dry, whereas a well-hydrated dog's gums will be wet and slick.

4. Keep the dog eating. Often, a sick dog will refuse dog food. Tempt the dog with "treat" foods that are easy on the dog's stomach. Some well-tolerated foods that can compose a homemade diet for a sick dog are plain, skinless chicken or boiled hamburger meat (with the fat strained away) with cottage cheese or plain white rice. A sick dog is more likely to eat these "treat" foods.

5. Keep the dog well hydrated. Add unflavored Pedialyte to the dog's water in a 50-50 mix to combat dehydration. If the dog stops drinking entirely, you will have 12 to 24 hours to get the dog to the veterinarian's office before serious dehydration begins to set in, compromising the dog's major organ systems and worsening the illness. If a dog stops drinking entirely, you can tempt him with low-sodium, onion-free beef or chicken broth, or a diluted clear (onion-free, low-sodium) soup, like chicken soup.

6. Does the dog have labored breathing? Coughing? Sneezing? Wheezing? These are all symptoms of a respiratory infection. This can often cause difficulty breathing, and if left untreated, the dog can develop pneumonia and die. To help ease breathing, place a humidifier near the dog's bed. If a humidifier is not available, take the dog into a steamy bathroom (turn the shower on and run the water hot) for 20 minutes at a time, several times per day to ease breathing. A dog with a suspected respiratory infection should also be separated from other dogs, as respiratory infections tend to be contagious.

7. Once you visit the veterinarian, give your dog her medicine as prescribed. Missing a dose or giving the improper dose can affect the dog's ability to recover from illness. Even once a dog has started medication, continue to monitor the dog and continue to record entries in the dog log; sometimes, a dog's medication may need to be altered to allow for proper recovery. And in a few cases, the dog may require additional diagnostic testing if she does not respond to treatment.

Tips & Warnings

• If your dog is sick, it's best to take the dog to the veterinarian's office as soon as possible. As a general rule, if the illness has not passed within 24 hours, it's going to require antibiotics or other medication to heal the dog's illness. A timely visit to the veterinarian makes a dog's illness easier and less expensive to treat.

• If your dog stops drinking, dehydration will set in very quickly. If a dog has stopped drinking, or if the dog has been vomiting or experiencing diarrhea for more than 24 hours, a trip to the veterinarian will be required for a subcutaneous fluid injection to combat dehydration. Dehydration can be deadly within a matter of a day or two, particularly in a dog who is already sick.

Resources

• How to Check a Dog's Vital Signs