Pet Care – Top 4 Signs Your Pet May Be Ill

Having a pet is both a great joy and a tremendous responsibility. Your pets depend on you to care for their daily needs as well as look after their health. With the disadvantage of our pet’s inability to communicate distress, it’s important to watch out for potential warning signs. Here is a list of the top four warning signs to look out for in your pet. Remember, if you ever feel unsure about your pet’s behavior or health, always contact your veterinarian to be on the safe side.

Excessive drinking. Your pet, like you, will drink when they’re thirsty. If their bodies are running low, they fill up. The problem lies when your pet goes beyond their normal daily consumption of water with no cause. If your pet is drinking more than usual it may be caused by loss of fluids, which could indicate a disease like kidney disease, diabetes, liver disease, cancer, or Cushing’s disease (or hyperadrenocorticism). Other factor that may contribute to excessive drinking are fever, diarrhea, diet, or even an infection. It’s crucial to address your pets increased water intake as soon as possible, so he or she can be diagnosed. Contact your veterinarian with your concerns right away.

Increased drooling. If you notice your pet drooling more than normal it may be an indication of a more serious health problem. Assess the situation, as dogs do drool more when feeling stressed or nervous, such as a new environment or when confronted with unfamiliar situations. If your pets drooling correlates with this event and isn’t chronic, make sure to assure them to try to ease their tension in the future. Dogs drool to cool down but if they are overheated you may notice a sudden increase in drool. If your pet is in hot weather and starts to drool and pant excessively, he may a sign of heat stroke. Make sure to seek shelter in a cool area and offer your pet a drink of cool water. If the symptoms persist, contact your veterinarian or the nearest animal hospital. Excessive drooling may also result from infections in the mouth, sinus, or even throat. It’s extremely important to contact your veterinarian if drooling does not subside.

Appetite change. Most pets love eating and dinner time so it’s out of the ordinary to have your pet refuse or become uninterested in food. If the cause cannot be associated with a change in their food supply or persists for a couple days it may be an indicator of a more serious condition. A change in your pets eating habits can be caused by a wide variety of problems from pain, infections, and even diseases. It’s important to contact your veterinarian to discuss possible tests, diet changes, or treatments.

Difficulty climbing or walking. Your pet can react to strenuous activity just the same as we do. When taking you dog on a long or difficult walk or hike, always make sure they are physically prepared. Taking a sedentary dog out on a 7-mile hike is sure to give them muscle stiffness. However; if you notice your pet having trouble getting up, walking, or climbing steps with no cause, it could be an indicator of a more serious condition. Your pet’s inability to move fluidly could be caused by arthritis, fractures, hip or elbow dysplasia, or even disc issues. Your pet should see their veterinarian if this condition goes unchanged for a day or two.

Always make sure to keep your pet healthy by providing them with their recommended daily activity as well as daily food and water requirements. Bonding with your pet by taking them with you on vacations or just for a day at the park is also very important. My Pet Pail was created by pet lovers for pet lovers to help them keep all their pets needs in one convenient place. This easy to carry, spill proof pet feeding system is perfect for pets on the go and at home.