Pets can’t talk, so when they need medical assistance, they only rely on their symptoms to communicate. As a pet owner, you need to be constantly aware of how your pet is behaving and note any shifts in behavior. If your pet has a drastic shift in temperament or starts acting oddly, you may need to take your animal to the doctor. Some of the common signs that your pet is ill and needs medical assistance are as follows.
If your pet is breathing heavier than normal, and for no specific reason, then you may want to consider calling a veterinarian. There is a possibility that your pet may have a heart or lung disease or an obstruction that is causing dangers within the pet’s small respiratory system. It is best to take your pet in and have him or her checked out, as ignoring a breathing problem could lead to life-threatening situations for your pet.
Another sign that your pet may need to visit a veterinarian is if your pet has constant diarrhea. Diarrhea can indicate the presence of dehydration, or may indicate that your pet has a harmful parasite. If your pet continues to suffer from diarrhea for more than 24 hours, it is suggested that you take the animal in.
Likewise, if your pet has been vomiting frequently for over 24 hours. you need to bring your animal in for a check up. Normally, if a pet vomits more than three times within 24 hours, this should be enough cause for concern to take the animal in. Your pet may have an intestinal obstruction, an infection, a liver or kidney disease, pancreatitis. Most of the time, the proper medication can treat these different ailments, and keep your animal happy and healthy for years to come.
Make sure to make a run to the vet with your pet if the animal has dark or bloody stools. When cleaning up after your pet, make sure to always check to make sure that his or her stools look normal. If there are consistent abnormalities, this may indicate that your pet is suffering from bleeding ulcers on the inside of the body, or is currently dealing with intestinal parasites. If you go to the vet, he or she should be able to arrive at a solution for the problem.
If your pet does not have any desire to eat for over 48 hours, this is another reason to make a trip to the vet. Pets are generally hungry and have internal clocks telling them when it’s time to eat more food. If your animal is refusing to eat, there may be a medical issue that needs to be dealt with. Animals with dental disease or infection often don’t want to eat because the chewing causes them pain. Other causes for a loss of appetite include liver failure. When a pet fails to eat, he or she runs the risk of nutritional deficiency. That is why it is important that you take your animal to see a professional for this issue right away.
If your animal is unable to urinate or defecate, this could be an indication of serious ailments. Sometimes, pets who can’t urinate suffer a bladder rupture, or kidney failure and blood poisoning. pets can also suffer from urethral or urinary obstructions, which can cause other conditions in the body. If you are concerned about your pet, then make sure to take him or her into a local veterinarian promptly. It is always better to be safe than sorry! Find a local vet using this directory today!