I grew up with two dogs that lived to be seventeen and eighteen years old. By the time they died they were so ridden with ailments that it was often just difficult to watch them try to walk. I often wonder how much pain those dogs were in and for how long, probably long before the obvious physical affects started to show.
Early identification, assessment and treatment of any illness assists with a better prognosis in the long run. Not only can any suffering experienced by an animal be minimized but the costs associated with evaluating and treating a condition may also be less. For all of the unconditional love that dogs give us, it is important to be aware of some of the signs and symptoms of illnesses in dogs.
Signs and Symptoms of Dogs Illnesses
Decreased appetite – dogs sometimes show that they are not feeling well by eating less then they usually do. This can reflect a problem of general discomfort or localized pain along the digestive tract from the mouth to the rectum.
Limping – you may notice that your dog is limping. This may be indicative of something small and easily removed like a thorn or small pebble in its paw or it could also be a sign of a problem with one or more joints.
Decreased activity – dogs present very similar to humans when they are trying to stave off infection or disease. They rest. So they may stop doing activities like they did before like ball fetching or jumping up and down when you come into a room. For an acute infection this is usually not a gradual reduction but a more obvious change in activity level from one day to the next. Dogs, particularly certain breeds such a Labradors are also known for their joint problems. Arthritis may also present in decreased activity or desire to go up and down stairs.
Chronic cough – dogs also suffer from conditions such as heartburn or acid reflux. This is when they may get a build up of acid in their stomach that may regurgitate back up into the esophageal space. A chronic cough may also be indicative of allergies or an infection in the lungs.
Scratching ears – dogs may begin scratching one ear more then the other by using their paws or rubbing their head against carpet or a piece of furniture. This is sometimes done when there is a parasitic or fungal infection in their ear. This is easily diagnosed by your veterinarian and your dog can feel tremendous relief by the application of just a few drops of medicine.
Vomiting/Diarrhea – intestinal diseases such as parasites may also be found in dogs so any symptoms of vomiting and or diarrhea should be shared with your veterinarian.
Loss of Balance – if your dig has trouble with keeping its balance then there could be a neurologic issue that should be further evaluated by your veterinarian.
Only you know how your dog typically behaves and responds so if you ever notice any behavior or symptom outside of your dog’s baseline, contact your veterinarian for further evaluation.
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