The thing that many owners hate the most is seeing their children get sick. No matter how much we prevent it, illness is something that cannot be prevented. And since pets cannot speak, we as owners have a duty to observe for abnormalities in our little ones to see if they are sick so that we can take them for treatment in a timely manner. Today, we have warning signs that indicate that our pets are sick for all owners to observe. If your pet has these symptoms, it means that there is something wrong with our dogs and cats.
1. Sleeping too much, feeling lethargic, and having decreased responsiveness.
When pets are sick, the most obvious thing to notice is that they will sleep more than usual because they feel uncomfortable, they will appear slow and not active, their response to their owners may be reduced, and some may hide. These symptoms may depend on the severity of the illness, but age is also relevant because older dogs may become slower due to their age.
2. Loss of appetite, eating less food
From having a good appetite or having favorite foods, when animals are sick, they will start to have no appetite, eat less or not eat at all. If the owner observes and finds that the loss of appetite of the dog or cat is not due to the external environment that makes them not eat, such as hot weather or being in heat, the owner may start to assume that the pet is sick and should take it to the veterinarian for diagnosis or further treatment.
3. Drink more water than usual.
Pets drinking more water than usual can also be a symptom of certain diseases, such as kidney disease, diabetes, hormone disease. On average, pets drink 50-70 ml/kg/day. Therefore, to observe whether your dog or cat drinks more water than usual, the owner can know by measuring the amount of water the dog drinks per day to see if it is more than the amount mentioned.
4. Rapid weight loss
When pets are sick and eat less, the next thing that follows is that their weight will also decrease rapidly. Owners should quickly take them to see a veterinarian to check if there is anything wrong with their pets. Because weight loss can be caused by many reasons, such as being sick and losing their appetite, not eating, causing weight loss, or still wanting to eat but unable to because of oral or digestive problems, or eating normally but losing weight, etc.
5. Have a cough or abnormal breathing.
When owners find that their dogs or cats are coughing or wheezing, they should also observe the characteristics of the cough or wheezing. Coughing can be a symptom of many serious diseases, such as heart disease, respiratory disease, heartworm disease. They can also observe the characteristics of the cough, such as a dry cough or a cough like something is stuck in the throat. This will help tell what is causing the pet's symptoms and indicate the severity of the disease. If there is difficulty breathing or wheezing, it is recommended that you take the pet to see a veterinarian as soon as possible.
6. Vomiting
Owners should observe when their pet vomits, how often it vomits, and what is vomited out. Is it related to eating? Also, observe the pet's habits, such as whether it likes to eat or chew on foreign objects. If you find that your pet vomits frequently, cannot eat, and loses weight, you should take it to the veterinarian to find the cause.
7. Have a fever.
A high body temperature in your pet is an indication that your pet may be sick with an internal infection. However, you should first check if your pet has a fever by feeling the inside of its ear to see if it feels warmer or hotter than normal. If you feel its belly or body, the temperature may vary depending on the outside weather. Another method is to use a pet thermometer and insert it into its rectum. Take your dog or cat's temperature yourself without asking the doctor, but the doctor is the one who teaches you how to take it. 😅 The temperature in dogs should not be higher than 39.5 degrees Celsius or higher, and in cats it should not be higher than 40 degrees Celsius or lower than 37 degrees Celsius. If any abnormalities are found, they should be taken to see a veterinarian immediately.
8. Diarrhea
Diarrhea is a warning sign of a sick animal that is easy to notice and very clear. To observe whether your dog has diarrhea, observe the characteristics of the stool, whether it is loose or watery, and observe the frequency of the stool. If the stool is loose or watery more than 3 times a day, it is considered that the dog has abnormal symptoms.
Observing your pet’s behavior every day is an important thing that owners should not neglect. If you are not sure whether your pet’s symptoms are illnesses or not, you can take them to the vet for diagnosis. If your dog or cat becomes sick, you can take them to get treatment in time. They will be able to stay with us for a long time.
Information from
Dr. Oraya Prapanphon (Dr. Nun), Talingchan Animal Hospital
English