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How To Know If My Dog Is Ill |
Signs that Your Dog is Sick
Since my dog can’t tell me what’s wrong, one of the most important things I ever did as a pet owner was to learn how to know if my dog is ill. If not properly treated, a dog’s illness can rapidly become worse (dehydration and hypoglycemia can set in within a day). That’s why it’s imperative to know what signs to look for. And remember, dogs will often try to hide their illnesses from you. Warning SignsWhen checking to see if your dog is ill, look for any of the following warning signs. If one or more symptoms are present, don’t hesitate to call your veterinarian.
Take Their TemperatureA dog’s temperature should be between 100.5 and 102.5. Take your dog’s temperature rectally. If it falls outside the range previously mentioned, you should schedule an appointment with your vet. Look For Signs of PainIs your dog whining a lot? If so, they may trying to let you know that they’re in pain. Drooling and panting are also other symptoms to look out for. Heart RateA dog’s heart rate can also be an indication of a problem. A healthy dog should have a strong and steady heart rate. If the heartbeat is abnormally slow or fast, it’s time to call the veterinarian. Adult dogs will have a rate of anywhere from 60 to 160 beats per minute (with toy breeds being as high as 180). Puppies have a heart rate of around 180 beats per minute. As a general rule of thumb, younger and smaller dogs tend to have faster heartbeats than older or larger dogs. Gum ColorIt’s a good idea to check the color of your dog’s gums when he’s healthy. Then you’ll have something to compare it against when checking to see if he’s sick. Gums are normally a shade of pink, so gums which appear blue, yellow, gray or white could mean your dog is ill. If your dog has red gums, it could indicate inflammation of the gums or gum disease. Constant bad breath is also another warning sign to look for. Check The NoseA dog’s nose should be cold and wet. Of course, this can be affected by the weather outside. If your dog’s nose is dry, they might be dehydrated. This would be a good time to check their temperature. Clear Urine Is BadMost dogs have cloudy, yellow urine. If the urine is clear, this could be an indication of a problem. If the urine has blood present, then you should contact your veterinarian at once.
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