Is My Dog Sick??

very dog owner will at some time wonder, "Is my dog sick?"
Checking a pet's vital signs and performing a basic exam at home can help dog owners determine if their dog is sick and in need of a vet visit.

According to Dr. Michael Levine, DVM, there are several things that should be checked to help pet owners determine if their dog is, in fact, ill. The following values should be checked hourly and recorded, so pet owners can determine if the dog's condition is worsening, improving or remaining stable.

- Has your dog stopped eating? An ill dog will not eat at all, or the dog will consume much less in terms of the amount of food. A dog who isn't eating will need supplemental sugar to ward off hypoglycemia.

- Has your dog stopped drinking? A dog who feels unwell will stop drinking, which can quickly lead to dehydration and ultimately, death due to organ failure.

- Is your dog lethargic? A sick dog will sleep more and their activity level will be below normal. The dog may be hesitant to get out of bed, go for a walk, or play.

- Does your dog have a normal temperature? A dog's normal rectal temperature is between 100.5 to 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit. Ear temperature will be slightly lower. A temperature outside of this normal range is an indicator of a sick dog and a trip to the veterinarian is in order.

- Do your dog's gums look normal? Normal gums should be a shade of pink, while problems like internal bleeding, anemia, or a disruption of normal blood flow will cause gums to be a shade of white, grey, blue or brick red, or yellow in color.

- Is your dog panting or drooling excessively? Panting can be a sign of distress, pain and discomfort.

- Is your dog restless? A restless dog is often a sick dog who is experiencing serious discomfort.

- Is your dog's heart rate abnormal? Normal heart rate varies from dog to dog based on age, size and activity level, but a consistently fast or slow pulse can be indicative of illness and distress. A puppy or small dog's heart rate will be around 180 beats per minute. And adult dog or a larger dog will have a normal rate somewhere between 60 and 160 beats per minute.

- Is your dog vomiting? Vomiting all food and drink for 18 hours or more can lead to serious dehydration and it can be a sign of a serious problem like an intestinal obstruction. Also look for projectile vomiting, blood in the vomit (either bright red or the consistency and color of coffee grounds), or a foul smelling vomit that smells similar to excrement.

- Does your dog have diarrhea? A dog with chronic diarrhea can end up seriously dehydrated. Other signs of a problem include blood in the feces or unproductive straining.

- Is your dog dehydrated? Pinch a dog's skin between the shoulder blades. A healthy dog's skin should flatten right out. A sick dog's skin will flatten out over the course of several seconds. Also feel the gums; they should be slick and wet, not dry and sticky.

- Is your dog urinating frequently? Frequent urination, pain while urinating and straining can be a sign of a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) in dogs.

- Has your dog stopped playing? A normally playful dog will be less active when he's sick.

Pet owners should also where they can find help for their pet in the event of an emergency.

In advance of a pet illness or injury involving a pet, locate a 24-hour veterinary clinic in your area and visit the clinic so you're familiar with its location. Pet owners shouldn't waste valuable time locating a 24-hour clinic in an emergency situation involving their pet.

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dog will stop eating for a variety of reasons, including digestive ailments, illness, disease and pain or discomfort from an injury, arthritis, or another physical problem.

According to Dr. Michael Levine, DVM, a dog who isn't eating is virtually always ill or injured, so it's not a symptom that should be ignored.

Causes for Inappetance

There's an array of situations that will cause a dog to stop eating, and when pain or discomfort is the cause, the degree of inappetance can vary from dog to dog. Some sick dogs will stop eating entirely, while others simply eat less or they're more selective with what they eat.

Upset stomach is a common cause for a dog's refusal to eat. Signs of an upset stomach include, vomiting, diarrhea, flatulence, and gurgling and bubbling sounds in the stomach.

When digestive upset isn't to blame, one of the following causes may be to blame:

- Bloat or Gastric Dilitation Volvulus
- Intestinal Obstruction
- Infection
- Viruses
- Pancreatitis
- Tooth Decay
- Mouth Injury and gum disease
- Disease affecting major organ systems
- Pain from trauma
- Discomfort from chronic pain
- Discomfort due to hot weather
- Anxiety or emotional distress

Treatment for a Dog Who Won't Eat
In a case of an upset stomach, dog owners can withhold food for 18 to 24 hours to allow the system to rest. Inflammation in the stomach and intestines is a common condition that's associated with digestive upset and withholding food will allow that inflammation to recede.

After 18 to 24 hours in the case of an upset stomach, pet owners can offer small portions of bland food like plain white rice, cottage cheese, boiled hamburger or boiled skinless and boneless chicken. Serve a small amount - just a bite or two - at first, and if the dog keeps the meal down with no vomiting for a period of four hours, offer a bit more and repeat the process until he's eating about one-third of his normal meal size. Slowly but surely is key to help avoid further digestive upset.

When upset stomach is not present, owners can offer small amounts of bland food as mentioned above, providing there is no sign of intestinal obstruction, like vomiting blood, bloody diarrhea and an inability to keep down anything that is consumed. This suggests an emergency situation that requires immediate veterinary attention.

Lethargy is often seen in a dog who won't eat. Often, it's associated with the problem that's causing the inappetance, and in other situations, the lethargy results from hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), which occurs when the dog does not eat for 12 hours or more.

To combat hypoglycemia and lethargy in dogs, offer one teaspoon of maple syrup per each 15 to 20 pounds of body weight, every four to six hours. Nutritional supplements like Nutri-Cal are also beneficial. Gels like Nutri-Cal and maple syrup can be easily be rubbed onto the gums if the don't won't eat them voluntarily.

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