A dog’s welfare, such as that of people, deteriorates with age. Our dogs, unfortunately, mature even quicker than we do.
Signs and Symptoms
Irrespective of your dog’s age, you play an important role in assisting her in combating sickness and being as safe as possible. Remember that your dog cannot explain symptoms to you, but she will show you illness symptoms. One approach to better reduce your pet’s chances of contracting the most frequent diseases is to be aware of their symptoms. It is a little frightening to believe that at least 10 percent of pets that seem secure to their owners and veterinarians during routine checkups have underlying diseases.
Here Are The Top Ten Symptoms Your Dog Might Be Sick:
- Drooling or bad breath
- Excessive urination or alcohol
- Weight loss or gain is related to a reduction in appetite.
- Variation of action level (e.g., lack of interest in doing things they did)
- Difficulty in climbing or climbing the stairs
- Sleeping more than normal, or other changes in mood or actions
- Coughing, sneezing, heavy panting, or labored breathing are all symptoms of asthma.
- Regular stomach upsets or changes in bowel motions
- Dry or itchy lips, sores, lumps, or vibration of the head
- Eyes that are dry, red, or muddy
If your best friend exhibits some symptoms of illness, you can call your vet straight away. Unfortunately, you will not always be mindful that your dog is ill. Also, the most well-intentioned pet owners often attribute overt signs of illness to aging.
Treatment/Diagnosis
Since disease symptoms are not always clear, your vet may suggest preventive care tests that are done in the veterinary laboratory as part of your pet’s yearly exam.
The Following Are Often Utilized in Preventive Care Testing:
- Chemistry and electrolyte checks to assess internal organ function to guarantee the dog isn’t dehydrated or suffering from an electrolyte deficiency.
- Tests to ascertain if your pet has heartworm, tick-borne, or other infectious diseases.
- A complete blood count is done to null out all blood-related diseases.
- Urine examinations are utilized to screen for urinary tract infections and other diseases and evaluate the kidneys’ ability to concentrate urine.
- An ECG can be used to check for irregular heart rhythms, which may signify underlying heart disease. Individually, additional evaluations can be implemented. Your pet will advise you on the right course of action for your very best pet.
Preventative Measures
Preventive care screening not only can help diagnose disease from the early stages, where it is more likely to adapt to treatment, but it may both save money and put your pet’s wellbeing at risk if an infection goes unnoticed and avoiding any unnecessary expenses in vet surgery. Furthermore, by determining your pet’s normal baseline lab values during health, your vet — and you — will be able to tell that something is incorrect in your pet quickly. Annual screening is the most effective preventive medication!
Ask your vet for additional information about preventive evaluations. Your veterinarian is your ultimate guide for information on your pet’s health and wellbeing. Click on this link to see all vets near you.
