How to keep an eye on your pet’s health?
Pay attention to your dog’s attitude – A pet parent can find out a lot by monitoring the pets’s behaviour including how he or she is physically feeling. You’ll need to make sure 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 see your pet is not drinking or vomiting, then you have to make sure your dog does not become dehydrated.
If your pet vomits, then withhold food for 12 to 24 hours, but keep offering water. If he or she is unable to keep fluids down either, contact the veterinarian straight away.
When you contact the animal hospital, inform your vet how many times in a specific span of time your dog has vomited. However, if your fur baby vomited just once and resumed eating and drinking again, it’s probably no cause for alarm.
Look for diarrhea – If you see, 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 get in touch with the vet.
If you see blood his or her stools, your fur baby may need intensive supportive care like intravenous fluids.
If you notice your pet has a little diarrhea, be sure to give lots of fluid. Make sure that your pet is getting more fluid than he or she is losing.
Not drinking enough fluid –Check the gums of your dog, which should be pink and moist. If you observe them to be dry feeling, it is most likely your pet may be dehydrated.
Another to check if you dog is hydrated enough is to lift up the scruff of your pet’s neck and let it drop. If your pet 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. Often dehydration in a sick dog is a cause for concern, so it is a good idea to take your dog to the vet.
If you notice your dog is dehydrated, try offering some form of fluids. If he or she drinks the fluid, continue to watch for dehydration. Howeveryou’re your pet cannot keep fluids down, seek medical care urgently. To avoid any organ damage, your dog 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 you tell you a lot about how your pet feeling. If your dog is in pain or suffering from some form illness, your dog may breathe heavily or pant.
In most circumstances, coughing and heavy breathing are symptoms of a chest infection. You should also check your pet’s gums if his breathing causes big chest movements.
The gums in your dog’ mouth should be pink and healthy. However, if they look tinged blue or pale, contact your 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. Normally your dog breaths 20 – 30 times per minute. If your pet’s breathing rate increases steadily, his or her condition is becoming worse and you need to call the vet.
