Your dog’s health – How to monitor it?
Pay attention to your dog’s attitude – A pet parent can find out a lot by observing the dog’s demeanor including how he or she is physically feeling. You can ensure his health is gradually getting better and responding to treatment. For instance, your pet should start to wag his tail , pay attention to you and get up to greet you. If he perks up and starts asking for food, then that is good sign to indicate he she is getting better.
On the other hand, if you observe your pet is becoming less interactive or just lying still, he or she may be getting worse and need medical attention.
Track how often your dog vomits – If you observe your dog is not drinking or vomiting, then you have to make sure your pet does not become dehydrated.
If your dog vomits, then withhold food for 12 to 24 hours, but keep offering water. If he or she is not able to keep fluids down either, contact the veterinarian straight away.
When you call the animal hospital, inform your vet how many times in a specific span of time your dog has vomited. However, if your dog vomited just once and resumed eating and drinking again, it’s probably no cause for alarm.
Look for diarrhea – If you think, then you’ll have to follow your dog into the yard to see what he pr she eliminates. if you notice large volumes of watery diarrhea then contact the vet.
If you see blood his or her stools, your dog may require intensive supportive care like intravenous fluids.
If you observe your dog has a little diarrhea, be sure to give lots of fluid. Make sure that your dog is receiving more fluid than he or she is losing.
Not drinking enough fluid –Check the gums of your pet, which should be moist and pink. If you observe them to be dry feeling, it is possible your dog may be dehydrated.
The other way to check if you pet is hydrated enough is to lift up the scruff of your pet’s neck and let it drop. If your dog is hydrated, it should immediately return to the original position. If your dog is dehydrated, the skin will slowly fall back over the course of a few seconds, rather than snap back. Generally dehydration in a sick dog is a cause for concern, so it is a good idea to take your dog to the animal hospital.
If you observe your pet is dehydrated, try offering some form of fluids. If he or she takes them, continue to watch for dehydration. For any reasonyou’re your dog cannot keep fluids down, get medical care urgently. To prevent any organ damage, your pet may need medication of intravenous fluids.
Monitor your dog’s breathing – It is good to watch the breathing pattern of your dog and it can tell a pet owner tell you a lot about how your pet feeling. If your dog is in pain or suffering from some form illness, he may breathe heavily or pant.
In most situations, coughing and heavy breathing are symptoms of a chest infection. It is also advisable to check your dog’s gums if his breathing causes huge chest movements.
The gums in your pet’ mouth should be pink and healthy. However, if the gums look tinged blue or pale, contact the veterinarian. Your pet could be in respiratory distress as your pet might not be getting enough oxygen.
You can also keep an hourly record of your dog’s breathing. Generally your dog take about 20 to 30 breaths every minute. If your pet’s breathing rate increases steadily, his or her condition is becoming worse and you need to contact the vet.
