When to take your pet to the vet
Our pet is always treated to be a part of our family. Whether it is a dog, a cat, a bird, or any species, it is considered as our best friend. In fact, our pets help us relieve our stress through the joy that they bring in every action that they do. However, how do we identify some alarming actions that mean a need for medical attention?
In this article, we’re going to talk about the signs that should let you know it’s about time to bring your pet to a vet. If you observe these in your pet, you should contact a Chandler veterinarian as soon as possible.
1. Strange Eating Pattern
When your pet skips one or two meals on a hot sunny day, it is normal because he has not used up all of his energy and decided to stay indoors. However, if your pet abnormally skips more than two meals, it is something alarming. Skipping meals for two days or more is a noticeable sign that your pet needs to be medically attended for.
2. Becoming Thirsty Excessively
As an owner, you should monitor the amount of water that your pet drinks every day. Suddenly drinking water in an excessive amount could mean that your pet is experiencing diabetes or kidney disease. You will be able to observe if your pet is excessively drinking water if you notice that you refill his water container more than the normal times that you do. Another sign that you can observe is the abnormal volume of urine.
3. Dull and Unhealthy Coat
Your pet’s coat should appear shiny, soft, and thick. If the coat is dry, rough, and dull, it could mean that there is something alarming that is happening to your pet. Another indication is if you could notice bald spots on your pet’s fur. These signs could be caused by skin disease, allergic reaction, or the wrong type of food consumed by your pet. If these continue to show, you might as well as consult a reliable Plainview veterinarian to help you out with your pet.
4. Your Pet Always Seems Tired
Being sluggish, also known as lethargy, is an observable sign that something is wrong with your pet’s physical health. A sluggish pet may be apathetic in physical activities like walking in the park, playing indoors or outdoors, or being engaged in physical activities they usually love doing.
Aching muscles or common fatigue might be causing this due to high temperature levels. However, you should consult a veterinarian if this sign continues to show for two days or more.
5. Nausea
Sometimes, a pet that vomits does not mean that his life is in danger. Most pets do it sometimes to remove food or something mixed in it that does not agree with their stomach. However, there are other kinds of vomiting that you could observe which can be something that you should not ignore. You should contact a veterinarian quickly if your pet shows these signs:
Frequent vomiting or a few times consecutively
Blood is observed in the vomited substance
Fever is present
Acute vomiting could lead to diarrhea or dehydration
6. Abnormal Stool
Your pet’s feces are a good sign that shows the quality of his health. A healthy pet’s bodily waste should be firm, moist, and small. On the other hand, hard and dry feces could be a clear indication of dehydration, dietary issues, or maladies. You should consult a veterinarian if your pet shows these signs:
- Worms or parasites are observable in the feces
- Experiencing diarrhea for 24 hours or more
- Struggling
- Mucus or blood is observable in the feces
7. Unexpected Loss of Weight
A pet, even an obese one, who suddenly loses weight should be an alarming sign that requires you to consult a veterinarian. Having your pet’s weight radically dropping in a sudden manner could mean a grave health disorder. If the weight of your pet drops by ten percent or more, you should seek medical attention. In smaller breeds, this can be as small as losing one pound of weight.
8. Red or Cloudy Eyes
If your pet shows reddening or cloudy eyes, it could mean that he has an injury or infection. Other signs can be in the form of excessive eye discharge or squinting. You should ensure that your pet is medically attended for when any of these signs show. Ailments that affect your pet’s eyes can develop quickly which can lead to blindness. Treatment can be performed to heal the infected area.
9. Dragging or Scratching Rear
If your pet is unusually dragging or scratching his rear on the ground, it may indicate the presence of parasites or perhaps infected or blocked anal glands. It may also be caused by diarrhea or a urinary tract infection. This is something you should not also ignore, and if this sign shows up, you should contact your veterinarian for medical attention.
10. Other Emergency Signs
There are also other signs that you should worry about. If these other emergency signs can be observed from your pet, you should take your pet to an emergency veterinarian:
- Possible fractured bones or open wounds
- Irregular breathing
- Passing out or collapsing suddenly
- Vomiting excessively or repeatedly
- Blood in the vomited substance
- Convulsion or seizure
- Bleeding from the pet’s nose, eyes, or mouth
- Possible food poisoning
- Noticeable excruciating pain from shaking or whining
- Inflated and hard abdomen
Due to your pet’s survival instinct, it will do its best to look healthy physically. It is totally important to be aware of your pet’s health and monitor him even with the slightest change in his actions. You totally know your pet better than anyone could tell, so if there is something wrong with your pet, you should seek a reliable veterinarian for assistance or medical checkup.
While you can find a lot of pets that you can buy in pet shops or adopt in some adoption centers, there is no greater pet than the one that you already have with you.