Our dogs are our best friends. That couldn't be more true than here at our house. I've written about them before; these crazy little guys make our lives so much more full for being in them. That's why we want to take the best care of them as possible, especially as they get older. However, dogs can't always tell us when they're in plan. As responsible pet owners, we need to do our best to learn the physical signs that our dogs aren’t feeling great. Here are a few things to watch out for…
Excessive Panting
All of us have heard our doggies pant at some time or other, but if your dog's panting is excessive then there's a chance that they could be suffering from a cold or breathing problems. At the very least they are in some discomfort, whether stress induced or caused by a physical health problem. You should first try to remove any sources of stress for them, and if that doesn’t work, take them to the vet to get checked out.
Bad Breath And Drooling
Did you know that dogs can get toothaches, too? Two classic signs that your dog may have some kind of dental problem are drooling and bad breath. As I'm sure everyone knows from their own experiences, toothaches can be extremely painful and debilitating. If your dog is experiencing mouth pain, tooth sensitivity, or tenderness in his muzzle, he may also avoid eating along with the drooling and bad breath.
A Lack Of Appetite
When people are nauseous we generally start eating less than we normally do – and this is often the case with animals as well. If your dog’s appetite changes drastically (or not so drastically!) it’s important to keep an eye on them and write down how long it lasts. You might also notice your dog drinking and sleeping more. If it’s lasted over twenty four hours then it’s a good idea to take your dog in to see the vet to see what might be up with them. You may want to ask the vet if CBD Pet Treats from Medipets CBD can help increase your dog's appetite.
Scratching
Another sign that there may be something wrong with your dog is if you notice them scratching a lot more than usual. This could be a sign that he might be suffering from fleas or ringworm. These can be extremely uncomfortable – and you need to deal with fleas as quickly as you can with a medication to make sure that it doesn’t spread to any of your other pets or – even worse! – to you. Dogs can suffer from eczema and other skin complaints so watch out for areas of redness or dry skin when you’re grooming your pup. It's not always possible to see a rash or other skin conditions on dogs with longer fur, so if your dog is having excessive bouts of scratching and you don't see any fleas, you may need to bring them in to see the vet to determine the cause.
Obsessive Grooming
If your dog has an area of pain on his body then chances are, he’ll spend time obsessively grooming and licking that area – it’s his version of trying to care for the wound and stop it getting infected. Of course, this won’t always work, particularly if there’s no surface injury. If you notice your dog licking themselves obsessively, check the area for a wound and care for it as you would a person's cut or other injury. Regardless of whether there is a visible injury, you should make sure you get it checked out.
Behavior Changes
If your dog is acting unusually aggressively or even acting more shy than usual, they might not be feeling at their best. Likewise, if they flatten their ears in a way that’s out of character or snarl at you, they could be trying to protect themselves because they are in pain. Lying still much more often than usual, particularly on their sides, is another sign that they may not feel well, and they might end up making a mess in the house when they’ve been house trained for a long time. Don’t punish your pet for going in the house – instead get to the vet. CBD oil for dogs is one way you may be able to help your pet feel better, especially if chronic pain is causing their symptoms.
Treatment
Symptoms of disease are not always obvious, especially in your four-legged friend, so your veterinarian may recommend preventive care testing as part of your dog’s yearly exam.
Test for preventative treatment may include:
- Urine tests to screen for urinary tract infection and other disease and to evaluate the ability of the kidneys to concentrate urine
- Tests to determine if your pet may have heartworm, tick-borne or other infectious diseases
- A complete blood count to rule out blood-related disorders
- Thyroid tests to determine if the thyroid gland is producing too little or too much of the thyroid hormone
- An ECG to screen for an abnormal heart rhythm, which may indicate underlying heart disease
- Additional tests may be added on an individual basis. Your vet will recommend the right course for your best friend.
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