How to monitor your pet’s health?
Pay attention to your dog’s attitude – A pet parent can find out many things by monitoring the pets’s demeanor such as how he or she is physically feeling. You’ll need to make sure his health is gradually improving and responding to treatment. For instance, your fur baby 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 see your dog is becoming less interactive or just lying still, he or she may be getting worse and require medical attention.
Track how often your dog vomits – If you notice your dog is not drinking or vomiting, then you have to make sure your pet does not become dehydrated.
If your pet vomits, then withhold food for 12 to 24 hours, but keep giving water. If he or she is unable to keep fluids down either, call the animal hospital urgently.
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 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 pet outside 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 dog may require intensive supportive care like intravenous fluids.
If you notice your dog has a little diarrhea, be sure to offer lots of fluid. Make sure that he’s getting more fluid than he or she is losing.
Not drinking enough fluid –Look at the gums of your dog, which should be pink and moist. If you observe them to be dry feeling, it is most likely your dog may be dehydrated.
Another 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 pet is dehydrated, the skin will slowly fall back over the course of a few seconds, rather than snap back. Usually dehydration in a sick dog is a cause for concern, so it is best 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 drinks the fluid, continue to monitor for dehydration. For any reasonyou’re your dog can’t keep fluids down, get medical care urgently. To avoid 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 dog feeling. If your dog is in pain or suffering from some form illness, your pet may breathe heavily or pant.
In most situations, coughing and heavy breathing are symptoms of a chest infection. It is also advisable to keep an eye on your pet’s gums if his breathing causes huge chest movements.
The gums in your pet’ mouth should be pink and healthy. However, if they appear tinged blue or pale, contact your vet. 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 pet breaths 20 – 30 times every minute. If your pet’s breathing rate increases steadily, his or her condition is becoming worse and you have to call the vet.
