Dog Illness Symptoms and Diagnosis
There are many things that can bring about illness in dogs - sudden changes in the weather, exposure to harsh climatic elements, lack of sufficient exercise or lack of enough rest, poor food or contaminated food, exposure to infectious diseases and parasites, failure to give the proper immunization shots, genetic weaknesses, accident, emotional distress, and so on. Some forms of dog illnesses like rabies and leptospirosis are transferable to human beings, as are parasites like ticks, mites, lice, tapeworms, hookworms, etc. So, it's really important to be watchful of your pet's health and take all proper precautions. In most cases, pet dogs may develop illnesses, despite the precautions. A basic understanding about the common dog illness symptoms may be of some help in detecting the condition at the earliest. This, in turn, will aid in early diagnosis and treatment. This article will provide you with a brief overview about some of the common dog illness symptoms and diagnosis.
List of illness symptoms in dogs
Though, you are not an expert to diagnose a dog illness, noting any sudden or unusual changes in the behavior pattern of your dog, will help you to understand that it is ill and requires medical attention. Does your dog seem to be quiet, listless and depressed? Is your dog off its food? Does your dog seem disoriented? Has it been losing its balance while getting up or while walking? Has your dog been displaying any unwarranted or uncharacteristic aggression? If the answer is yes to any one of these, it could indicate any kind of physical, hormonal, and neurological disorder, and it is time to go visit the vet. The following is a compilation of some of the common dog illness symptoms and diagnosis.
Why is the Dog Not Eating?
Could be - gastrointestinal problems, respiratory infections, worm infestation, dental problems...
Occasional refrain from food is not an abnormal symptom for a dog, provided, it is active otherwise. In such cases, you have to monitor the dog for the next two days and if it continues to avoid food, you must contact the vet. Health problems like diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, bloating, inflammatory bowel disease, urinary tract infections, asthma, kennel cough and worm infestations, etc., are some of the common reasons for loss of appetite in dogs. Refraining from food may also be an indication of various dog illnesses like cancer, Addison's disease, dental problems, some sort of pain, systemic infections, stress, liver problems and kidney failure. In some cases, it has been noted that vaccinations may cause temporary loss of appetite. Some pet dogs may refuse food, if they do not like that particular foodstuff or if they are not comfortable with the surroundings.
Is the Dog Eating Grass?
Could be - stress, boredom, anxiety, fiber-deficient diet...
Dogs eating grass is not a rare phenomenon. Most of the dogs are found to consume grass, at some point or other. This behavior is termed as 'pica', an eating disorder that is characterized by consumption of non-food items. The most common non-food item that is consumed by dogs is grass. They may also consume paper, feces, etc. It has been suggested that dogs do this out of stress or boredom. Another contention is that canines with some sort of nutritional deficiency, resort to grass-eating. Fiber deficient diet is said to be a common cause for grass-eating in dogs. Some people explain this habit as a natural remedy for sick dogs, though there is no sufficient evidence to prove the same. If your dog has this problem, try to engage it in physical activities or else, provide them with a fiber rich diet. While, occasional grass-eating is not necessarily a problem, if you find this to be regular, then consult the vet and find out the cause.
Is Your Dog Overeating?
Could be - stress, anxiety, depression, internal parasites, certain medical conditions...
Another eating disorder in dogs is overeating, which could be due to different reasons. While, some dogs eat in large amounts, due to stress, anxiety or depression, for some others, the sole purpose is to outrun its fellow mates. Even some medical conditions can cause this disorder. They include hypothyroidism, diabetes, internal parasites, certain types of infection, etc. It has been noted that certain medication can also cause overeating in dogs. If you feel that your dog is having overeating disorder, then take it to the vet and get the condition diagnosed and treated. Some dogs may develop the habit of eating so fast that they end up with bloating, indigestion and vomiting. This eating disorder is called scoffing, which can be controlled by serving small portions of food, more frequently.
Does Your Dog Exhibit Unusual Weight Gain/Weight Loss?
Could be - hormonal disorders, gastrointestinal problems, changes in diet...
As in case of humans, dogs too may sometimes develop sudden weight loss or weight gain. Though, this may happen along with rapid increase or decrease in intake of food, there can be various other reasons for such changes in body weight. Unexplained weight gain could be due to hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid gland) or Cushing's Disease. Lack of physical activities, due to any reason (including medical condition like injury or arthritis) may also lead to weight gain in dogs. Unexplained weight loss could be due to conditions like hyperthyroidism, Addison's disease, gastritis, inflammatory bowel disease, etc. So, if your dog develops any of these conditions, take it to the vet, so as to rule out the possibility of underlying diseases.
Is Your Dog Throwing Up?
Could be - gastrointestinal problems, food allergies, infections, certain medical conditions...
Vomiting once in a while may not necessarily indicate any underlying illness in your dog, as these animals are tuned in such a way that their body may discard materials that are inedible. They are also found to regurgitate food that are stuck in the esophagus. So, vomiting is forceful expulsion of food from the stomach and may be caused by reasons that may range from minor to major. Mild causes include stress, worms, overeating, fast eating, consumption of inedible materials, eating soon after exercise, motion sickness, etc. However, vomiting in dogs may indicate serious health problems like kidney or liver failure, pancreatitis, parvovirus infection, food allergies, ulcers, gastritis, enterocolitis, cancer, intestinal obstruction, poisoning, distemper and diabetes. If vomiting continues the whole day or if the vomit contains bright red blood or digested blood (looks like coffee grounds), then you must take the dog to the vet. Medical attention is unavoidable in case of additional symptoms like diarrhea, bloating, depression and lethargy or if the dog exhibits projectile vomiting. Apart from physical examination, tests, like complete blood count, biochemical profile, urinalysis, fecal flotation, heartworm test, abdominal X-rays, etc., may be ordered.
Does Your Canine Have Diarrhea?
Could be - food allergies, internal parasites, gastrointestinal problems, other medical conditions...
The most common causes of dog diarrhea are consumption of inedible materials and food allergies. Other causes include internal parasites, side effects to medication, change in diet, etc. If the loose stool is black and tarry or if it contains red blood, then bleeding in the GI tract is suspected. Exposure to toxins like insecticides may result in vomiting as well as diarrhea in dogs. Inflammatory bowel disease, intestinal tumor, kidney failure, liver failure, pancreatic diseases, colonic cancer, ulcer or polyps, etc., are also some of the possible canine diarrhea causes. If diarrhea is too frequent or persists for more than a day or is accompanied with vomiting, then, immediate medical attention must be sought. Blood tests, stool tests, rectal examination, X-rays, endoscopy and ultrasound may be required to diagnose the condition.
Is Your Dog Constipated?
Could be - changes in diet, use of certain medication, some medical conditions...
Dogs too can get constipated. This could be due to various causes like ingestion of foreign materials (like, plastic, paper, hair, etc.) that mix with feces to form solid masses, which are hard to pass. Over consumption of bones can also cause this condition. Physical abnormalities of the anus and rectum and enlarged prostate may cause this dog illness. Use of certain medication, surgery, change in diet, intestinal parasites, dysfunctional digestive enzymes, certain types of infections and hypothyroidism are also among the possible causes of canine constipation. Older dogs may develop this problem due to electrolyte imbalance. Insufficiency of water and fiber intake and lack of exercise or physical activities, may contribute to this problem. Diagnosis is often done on the basis of symptoms and physical examination. Sometimes, rectal examination, blood profile, abdominal radiography, etc., may be needed.
Does Your Dog Have Bad Breath?
Could be - dental problems, gastrointestinal problems, respiratory diseases, certain medical conditions...
Dog bad breath can be associated with various health problems. Most commonly, dental problems are found to be behind this condition. They include tooth decay, tartar buildup, periodontitis, tumor in the mouth, etc. Health problems of the gastrointestinal tract, kidney, lungs and liver, may also cause bad breath in canines. It could be anything like, kidney failure, sinus infections, cancer in the gastrointestinal system, etc. While dogs with kidney failure may develop a urine-like smell in their breath, a sweet smell may indicate diabetes. If the dog has loss of appetite, vomiting and yellow-colored corneas, then there are chances that it has some liver problem. Though, bad breath may not always indicate a grave health problem, it would be wise to get it diagnosed at the earliest to find out the cause.
Why do Dogs Drool?
Could be - dental problems, certain medical conditions...
Drooling is normal in almost all dogs, especially those with loose lips. Dogs are usually found to drool, when they expect some treats or when they are anxious or fearful. However, excessive drooling can be an indication of some underlying disease. It could be anything from dental problems to medical conditions that affect the salivary glands. Some of the common causes for excess drooling in dogs are heat stroke, distemper, tooth abscess, stomatitis, periodontal disease, rabies, pseudorabies, motion sickness, etc. Damaged or infected salivary glands may sometimes cause drooling in dogs. These glands may also develop tumors, causing symptoms like drooling.
Why Your Dog is Having Breathing Problems?
Could be - respiratory problems, heart disease, filariasis...
While, panting is a method adopted by dogs, to lower body temperature, rapid and labored breathing can be a sign of some underlying medical condition. Even shallow and noisy breathing may indicate some health problems. Rapid and labored breathing are often associated with dehydration, diabetes, congestive heart failure, heat stroke, poisoning, shock, etc. Shallow breathing may indicate problems of the chest wall, like broken ribs. Wheezing is often found in problems associated with the lungs, trachea, bronchi and larynx. Noisy breathing is noted in dogs with blockage of the nasal passage. If your dog is having trouble breathing or is drooling too much or is frequently coughing, the signs may point towards some kind of respiratory problem, cardiac problems, or canine filariasis.
Is Your Canine Coughing a Lot?
Could be - respiratory diseases, heart problems, allergies...
Another common symptom found in dogs is cough, which is usually indicative of respiratory problems, like chronic bronchitis, pneumonia and kennel cough. There are other causes for coughing in dogs and they include inhalation of irritants, like fumes, grass and food particles. Congestive heart failure, tracheal irritation and collapsing trachea may also cause cough in dogs. Pressure from tight collars is found to be a common cause for cough in dogs. Even tonsillitis, mouth and gum infections, intestinal parasites, allergies, heartworms, lung tumor, etc., can lead to canine cough. The nature of cough is one of the factors that help in diagnosing the dog illness. For example, kennel cough causes deep, dry and hacking cough, whereas a weak, gagging cough may indicate tonsillitis. Diagnosis is often made with the help of chest X-ray, bronchoscopy, etc.
Does Your Dog Have Urinary problems?
Could be- infections, urinary stones, enlarge prostate...
Dogs are often found to have difficulty urinating. They may strain to pass urine or frequently lick the urethral opening. In some cases, the urine may turn bloody, frothy, foul-smelling or cloudy. The most common canine urinary problems that may cause these symptoms, are inflammation of the bladder or cystitis, urinary stones, enlarged prostate, urinary tract infections, tumors of the bladder and urethra. Urinary incontinence is also common in older female dogs. Urinating in large amounts may be an indication of chronic kidney failure. In such cases, the dog may gradually develop loss of appetite, weight loss, vomiting, etc. It may also start drinking lots of water. Diagnosis is done with the help of physical examination and tests like urinalysis, urine culture, blood work, radiograph or ultrasound.
Worried About Hair Loss in Your Dog?
Could be - hormonal disorders, infections, parasites...
Dogs may develop hair loss, due to various reasons that could be sometimes related to hormonal problems. Some of the common causes of canine hair loss that is related to hormones, are hypothyroidism, excess cortisone, high estrogen levels, estrogen deficiency and growth hormone responsive alopecia. Apart from hormonal problems, there can be various other causes that result in hair loss in dogs. Patchy hair loss is often seen in case of ringworm infection and demodectic mange. Itchy skin may also be due to flea bites or allergies. Other non-hormonal conditions that are involved in canine hair loss are seborrhea, vitiligo, pressure sole, nasal solar dermatitis, acanthosis nigrans, etc.
Why Your Dog is Troubled with Ear Discharge?
Could be - parasites, infections...
Ear discharge is one of the common canine symptoms that may be an indication underlying medical conditions like ear infections. Mites are also a common cause for such discharge. In case of mites, the discharge from the ears will be like dried coffee grounds. The dog may also scratch the ears and shake its head, frequently. Yellowish-green ear discharge (with or without foul smell) may indicate bacterial infection, whereas brownish discharge with a pungent smell could be due to fungal infection of the ears. In most cases, the dog may experience severe pain and irritation. If you notice excess ear discharge, along with redness, swelling and/or foul smell, then, take your dog to the vet for identifying the symptoms of dog illness and diagnosis.
Have You Noticed Your Dog Having Eye Discharge?
Could be - conjunctivitis, eye injury, certain medical conditions...
Discharge from the eyes, squinting, redness or clouding may indicate some sort of injury to the eyes or eye diseases. In case of conjunctivitis, the eye discharge could be either watery or pus-like. Other causes include parasitic infections, like ehrlichiosis, lyme disease, rocky mountain spotted fever, etc. Eye discharge may also be caused by medical conditions like dry eye, hypothyroidism, corneal ulcers, fever, herpes, vision problems, eye tumor, infectious hepatitis, distemper, ectropion, glaucoma, etc. In case of dry eye, the discharge will be sticky, whereas in epiphora, watery discharge is seen. It has also been noted that certain breeds with flat heads and protruding eyes are prone to develop eye discharge. A healthy dog has a wet, cold nose. A hot, dry nose with nasal discharge may indicate infection or fever.
Does Your Dog Have Skin Problems?
Could be - allergies, infections, parasites, environmental factors...
You can tell whether a dog is healthy or not by checking its coat and skin. A lusterless coat, skin eruptions and a tendency to frequently scratch or lick the skin don't point towards good health - it may be an indication of the presence of parasites like mites and lice, bacterial and yeast infections, some kind of allergy, or dermatitis. Skin problems in dogs may cause symptoms like patchy hair loss, scratching and biting, rash, scabs, lesions, swelling, etc. The most common among the canine skin problems are mites, ringworm, food allergies, mange, infections and stress. Skin problems in dogs are extremely unpleasant and often require long and sustained treatments. Some dogs may develop lumps on the body that may be due to abscesses that develop at the site of a puncture wound/bites or hematomas (accumulation of clotted blood beneath skin). Others include venereal tumors, malignant growths or fatty lumps called lipomas.
Is Your Dog Drinking Too Much Water?
Could be - diabetes, Cushing's disease, kidney disease, boredom...
If you notice that your dog is drinking large amounts of water, then take it to the vet. There are certain medical conditions that may cause this symptom. The vet may order certain diagnostic tests, to rule out such diseases. Apart from diabetes and Cushing's disease, this symptoms may be found in dogs with liver diseases, kidney problems, adrenal gland disease and cancer of the lymph tissues. In some rare cases, brain tumor may also cause this symptom.
Why Is Your Dog Lethargic?
Could be - infections, use of medication, hormonal disorders, other illnesses...
Lethargy in dogs could be associated with various canine illnesses. Some of the common causes are hormonal disorders, gastroenteritis, liver disease and fever. A dog may develop weakness and lethargy due to various underlying conditions. They include infections like distemper, parvovirus, heartworm, kennel cough, etc. Diseases that affect the major organs like the kidneys, heart, lungs and liver may also cause lethargy. Diabetes (as well as low blood sugar) is one of the common causes of lethargy in dogs. Hypothyroidism is a hormonal disorder that can cause severe lethargy in canines.
The above said is only a brief overview about some of the common dog illness symptoms and diagnosis. Apart from that, there are numerous other canine symptoms that may be indicative of underlying health problems. As in case of humans, dogs too develop innumerable health problems, causing different symptoms. While some of the symptoms are common for many medical conditions, some are specifically associated with certain diseases only. Dog illness diagnosis becomes easier, in case of such specific symptoms. Though, it is advisable for a pet dog owner to have a basic understanding about the common canine diseases and symptoms, for correct diagnosis and treatment, you have to consult a vet. Such knowledge will help you in noticing the symptoms at an early stage, so that you can get your pet treated on time.
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