Danger Signs Of Illness with your Dogs

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Danger Signals

 If your dog is sick, it’s important that you know what warning signs to look out for so you can take appropriate action.
Dog danger signals

It’s an unfortunate fact of life that, just like you, your dog can fall ill. While the more serious problems should be dealt with by your vet, some minor issues like fleas and ticks can be dealt with at home.

Learning to interpret the danger signs and knowing what action to take can help you decide the best course of action in the event your dog does start feeling under the weather.

It’s not always easy to detect illness in your dog, so you’ll need to look for a range of subtle signs that may indicate a potential problem. If you do notice anything out of the ordinary, don’t rely on books or websites for a diagnosis. Contact your vet immediately.

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Warning signs to watch for in your dog
Diarrhoea

If your dog has persistent constipation or diarrhoea that lasts for longer than 48 hours, visit your vet and, if possible, take a fresh stool sample with you.
Repeated vomiting, gagging, sneezing or coughing

Persistent sickness or choking when eating is a concern. Vomiting can be a sign of a developing allergy or a more serious infection, particularly in older dogs. Kennel cough can also be a serious illness.
Refusal to eat for over 24 hours

For a range of reasons your dog’s eating patterns may occasionally become irregular. But if your dog refuses food for a day or more, consult your vet.
Excessive thirst or urination

Unusually excessive thirst and frequent urination is a common sign of illness.
Red or swollen gums

Reddened or swollen gums, particularly when associated with bad breath, are an indication of gum disease. When severe, dogs may lose teeth, drop food from their mouths and suffer weight loss due to difficulty eating.
Difficulty urinating

Look out for yelping when urinating, a hunched back or blood in the urine.