World News

 Sick Dog 

Sometimes sick dogs can lead to fatal consequences, so if symptoms worsen or your dog’s illness continues, contact your local veterinarian immediately. Infections such as Rabies, Hepatitis, Corona virus and Para influenza are viral diseases that can cause a sick dog. However, if vaccinated at an early age and through adulthood, many canine illnesses can be prevented.

Diarrhea

Diarrhea is a sign of a disturbance within the dog’s digestive track. Perhaps he ate something he should not have eaten. Maybe you changed his brand of dog food. As we know, most dogs willingly eat anything and everything, so if this is the case with your ill dog, he may develop diarrhea. You may want to feed your dog a bland diet instead of his regular food, such as rice or oatmeal, while he is experiencing diarrhea. If you’re sick dog is feverish, lethargic or has bloody stools along with the diarrhea, call your veterinarian immediately. He/she can perform a fecal test that will help determine if the illness is something more serious than just an upset stomach.

Vomiting 

 If you’re sick dog is vomiting and it is associated with fever, loss of appetite, and/or diarrhea, contact your veterinarian. They will ask you to describe the dog’s symptoms, as well as what they ate and when they ate. Your vet will try to determine if the vomiting is a result of food allergies, or perhaps a gastric disorder. They may take a blood sample or a urinalysis to rule out the possibilities of parasites. If further tests are needed, ultrasounds and X-rays may be performed to establish the cause of vomiting such as tumors and blockages. Vomiting may also be a sign of a stomach illness caused from eating garbage, table scraps, as well as household items. Dogs also have the tendency to eat fast. Try giving them small portions instead of the full amount. You may also want to elevate the food bowl, which will assist in their digestion of the food.

Is Your Dog Really Sick?

 First - get to know what is normal for your dog. Each is an individual and you know your pet better than the veterinarian. Some of the observations might make you uncomfortable but they are important. They may even make the difference between life and death for your dog.
How much food does your pet eat?
Is is eaten all at once or a little at a time?
Do they gobble treats or pick at them daintily?
How much and how often does your pet drink?
How often do they urinate and what color is it?
Is the urine a steady stream or do they “squirt” or dribble? If it’s a male, does he lift his leg while urinating?
How large is the stool, what color and how often do they have a bowel movement?
What is your pet’s sleeping habit; do they sleep a lot or are they very active during the day?
Do they drool a lot normally?
When do they pant - only when it’s hot? When they are nervous? Any other time?
Run your hands over the dog, get to know all the bumps and curves - learn what their normal weight feels like, can you feel the ribs, hips and back bone or are they fleshy?
Open their mouth and see what the teeth and gums look like. Are the gums light or dark pink? Smell their breath, is it sweet or sour?
Check their eyes, do they normally look droopy and red or are they tight with light pink inside the eyelids?
Do the ears feel thin or do they have some thickening to them? What is their normal ear carriage, (even with drop eared dogs like Peer=) - are they even or does one droop more than the other?
How about the nose, is it dry & scaly normally, a little damp or very wet?
Look at the coat, how shiny is it? Does it feel springy or stiff, soft or dry?