Pet illness

Pet illness is very painful for the owners and the exact problem can be difficult to diagnose. Unlike humans, dogs cannot speak to us as they feel. So we need to be able to identify the signs of pain and illness in your pet to guide us towards the probable cause and decide on appropriate treatment. Here are some tips on what to look for. Remember, early recognition of the disease is so important, so look out for early warning signs.

Early warning signals

Look for changes in behavior. Dogs are creatures of habit any digression from the routine may indicate the fact that the dog is feeling off color. Continued loss of appetite is often the first symptom that something is not right. All dogs refuse the occasional meal, but if it persists, there may be deeper causes.

Watch for a raised temperature, highlighted when a dog pants more than usual, feels warm to the touch or looking for a cooler place to lie down. Look for the symptoms of pain. Dogs in pain turn and bite at the area of the problem. Unmotivated crying or servile and reluctance to leave their beds are important clues and dogs may become aggressive if the painful area is touched.

If any lumps or swelling is evident, an immediate visit to the vet is called for as is the case, if the dog convulses or a measure of any kind. Clear eye discharge is usually normal, but if the discharge is heavy or contain pus ask for advice. Discharges from the nose, ears or genitals always must be carefully monitored. Any dense mucus or smelly should be sponged away, but if it persists please consult.

Look for specific signs

Head shaking can be a sign of cancer, especially if accompanied by a foul smelling discharge or inflammation. Any ear problems can be severe so get your veterinarian to take a look. The diarrhea is usually the result of a stomach upset. Stop feeding the dog for 12 hours, although it continues to the water. Provide small amounts of food, "soft", as the fish, eggs or rice for a couple of days and then gradually introduce a normal diet. This should solve the problem, but if it persists, refer to your veterinarian.

Excessive consumption of water may indicate kidney problems so keep an eye on water intake of your dog. Panting is a clear warning sign that not everything is quite different from a hot day of course. This may reflect a number of serious conditions, so ask the Council if it persists.

Difficulty eating, especially in older dogs, might point to gum, or more generally something presented in the mouth that may need help to remove. An occasional vomiting may be less. If prolonged, however, and in particular if blood is present, then visit the vet. Cough is usually nothing to worry about. However, if any phlegm is expressed, this may indicate a problem such as distemper in which case get help.

Keep calm and seek help if necessary

These symptoms are by no means exhaustive and when put down a long list as above, you can easily turn into a hypochondriac. Relax and simply make sure that you can perform a number of controls, usually when grooming your dog, which will give you the comfort of knowing that health problems will be noticed before on, increasing the chances of the start of treatment and recovery. Prevention of diseases pets is better than any cure.

Terry Blackburn. Internet Marketing Consultant, living in South Shields in the North East of England. Author and editor of http://www.dogcote.com/