Sickness & Injuries.

Anything more than skipping a meal or two should be a red flag that something is off. Two days without eating is a clear sign that your pet needs an examination.

It’s important to know about how much water your pet drinks each day. If your pet drinks more water than usual, if they urinate excessively, need to go outside more often, or have accidents in the house, this could be an indicator of infection, disease or diabetes.

A coat that’s dull, rough, dry, or has bald patches could indicate that something isn’t right. The wrong kind of food, an allergy, or a skin disease could be the culprit.

Lethargy is a sign that something may be troubling your pet. A lethargic dog may be uninterested in playing, going for a walk, or participating in activities they usually enjoy. Normal fatigue or sore muscles can sometimes be due to high temperatures, but you should see a vet if symptoms persist for more than two days.

Occasional vomiting isn’t unusual… animals may vomit to get rid of something that doesn’t agree with them. But some vomiting should concern you, such as frequent vomiting or several times in a row, vomiting blood, or if your pet has a fever.

Stool can be a good indicator of overall health. If you note hard stools, worms in stool, diarrhea for more than 24 hours, straining, blood or mucus in the stool, you will need a trip to the vet.

Losing weight quickly and unexpectedly could indicate a serious health condition.

Cloudy or red eyes, squinting, or excessive discharge from your dog’s eyes could indicate an infection or injury. Make sure you bring your dog for a checkup right away. Diseases affecting the eyes can progress rapidly and cause blindness. Medication can be used to cure an infection or alleviate clinical signs.

If your pet is scooting or dragging her rear on the floor, she may have worms, blocked or infected anal glands, urinary tract infection, or diarrhea.