Pets are a part of people’s lives, and they also deserve good health. But since they can’t say what they want, they rely on humans for food and shelter. Unfortunately, sometimes, no matter how hard you try to take care of your pets, they can still get sick. Early detection of illnesses can significantly help in maintaining the good health of your pets. Besides, if you happen to observe something unusual, take them to the veterinarian as soon as possible.
In this article, we’ll discuss the signs of the most common pet health issues.
1. Changes in Weight and Appetite
Does your pet suddenly lose their appetite? If your pet usually gets excited during mealtime, and then one day it just doesn’t like to eat anymore, it can be a sign of sickness. At the same time, an increase in appetite can also be a bad sign. However, you should still observe as it may be a one-time thing.
So, aside from the appetite, you should also keep an eye on the weight. If your pet has an unexpected weight gain or loss, it can mean many different things. Once you notice something different in your pet’s weight or appetite, you should monitor their eating habits, schedule the mealtime regularly, and weigh them often.
If you confirm something’s wrong, you should consult with the vet immediately. Meanwhile, ensure that you’re vet partners with trusted animal health solutions for better healthcare services.
2. Changes in Behaviour
Another sign that your pet might be sick is when there are changes in the behaviour. Think of how your pet would normally react to things. For instance, when it sees a ball, does your dog become excited and playful? If yes, and you noticed these past few days that it remains silent even when you throw a ball near it, there must be something wrong.
Other signs of behavioural changes include irritability (when it feels pain), separation anxiety (gets panicky when left alone), and panting (which can be a sign of stress).
If the behavioural changes are mild, you can observe your pet for a few days, and see if it goes back to normal. However, sudden and extreme changes require immediate veterinarian assistance.
3. Changes in Drinking and Urination
Aside from the appetite, a pet with illness can also experience some changes in the urine and water intake. Usually, changes in this area can be caused by UTI (Urinary Tract Infection, kidney problems, blockages, and kidney stones.
When observing problems in the water intake and urination, your pet may tend to be thirsty or there’s a decrease or can’t urinate properly. Similar to other signs, observe the changes for a few days, and see if it goes back to normal. If not, it’s time to consult with the veterinarian.
4. Skin Problems
Some of the more obvious symptoms are shown in the skin or coat. You can find your pet’s fur all over the place, it can scratch too much due to parasites or allergies, and there may be bumps or lumps that indicate cysts.
If it’s just a parasite, it’s easier to solve since you’ll just need the right shampoo. On the other hand, if it’s a more serious sign, your pet might need a series of tests to get to know the main cause of the bumps or hair loss.
Sometimes, when pets get too irritated with their skin problems, they might behave differently, so watch out for these changes.
5. Digestive Issues
Does your pet have any digestive issues? Some of these issues include constipation, diarrhoea, and vomiting. Although these can be due to many issues, some of the common ones are infections, dehydration, dietary problems, and even more serious problems.
If your pet encounters any of these digestive issues, be sure to bring them to the vet immediately. You can monitor your pet for a day before bringing them to the vet. However, if the case is too serious, bring it to the clinic immediately.
6. Respiratory Changes
If your pet has been wheezing, coughing, and having some trouble breathing, these can be signs of respiratory problems, allergies, or heart problems. However, just like any other symptoms, take some time to observe your pet, and see if it has been exposed to unfamiliar things, like paint or smoke. If it does, keep it away and observe if there are changes. However, if there’s none, you should visit the vet right away.
Final Thoughts
Always keep an eye on your pets. Even if they always look happy and active, there are times when they’re not their usual self, so when it happens, you should immediately take action.
We hope this article helps you get to know the most common signs of pet health issues. If you want to discuss more, don’t hesitate to comment below!
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