Dog Health

Unveiling the Hidden Signs: Recognizing Illness in Dogs and the Importance of Preventive Health

admin • 29 May 2023

Many tutors don't understand why their doggies get ′′ sick out of nowhere ′′... However, the story isn't always that simple. Your furry friend can show symptoms for a long time before becoming ill, so it's essential to be aware of signs that indicate possible health problems in your dog. Check out some of them in the article!

8 signs that the dog may be sick

1. Bad breath 

Some cases of halitosis in dogs are due to the animal's lack of daily oral hygiene. However, in other cases, bad breath may be associated with gastric diseases - such as ulcers and gastritis - canine diabetes, liver diseases, kidney diseases and even respiratory problems. So, if you notice that your dog has bad breath associated with other symptoms, such as apathy, vomiting, or diarrhea, for example, it is essential to take him to a veterinary evaluation. 

2. Yellow eyes

A dog with yellow eyes can indicate problems that are not necessarily ophthalmological. This symptom is usually associated with liver disease, hemolytic anemia and even the presence of parasites in the pet's bloodstream. Jaundice - the technical term for yellowing - can often also be observed in the animal's skin, in addition to the eyes. A veterinary medical consultation is essential to assess the health status of the dog. 

3. Excessive paw licking

Dogs can lick and bite their paws for a variety of reasons, most of which are related to cleaning or removing foreign bodies. However, this behavior can become abnormal as the tutor begins to observe that paw licking can be linked to physical or even psychological illnesses. If you've identified that your puppy is showing this unusual behavior, it's essential to take him to the vet for an accurate diagnosis of his condition.

4. Excessive hair loss

Hair loss in animals is completely natural and indicates a change in coat, especially during the transition between seasons. Thus, if the fall occurs in a controlled manner and is distributed throughout the animal's body, there is no need for concern. However, excessive hair loss may be associated with the presence of parasites, fungi, dermatitis, and mycoses, in addition to hormonal changes, stress, and anxiety, among other conditions. If you notice this change in your pet, don't hesitate to take him to the vet. 

5. Facial paralysis

As with humans, facial paralysis is a sign of some disturbance in the pet's body. It can be caused as a result of otitis media and internal, trauma, metabolic changes, hypothyroidism, diabetes, and several other conditions. Thus, just by running a battery of tests, the veterinarian will be able to accurately identify the cause of facial paralysis in your dog. 

6. Runny nose

A dog presenting nasal secretions can be a punctual event linked to an allergy to a substance that he inhaled by accident. However, if the tutor notices that the secretions are recurrent and/or that they have changed color (becoming whitish, for example), it is a sign that something may be wrong with your furry, and may even be developing a cold or even pneumonia. 

7. Excessive thirst

Dogs consuming more water on hot days or after exercising is natural and expected to cool down and regulate their body temperature. In addition, dogs whose diet consists essentially of dry food also tend to consume more water. However, if you notice that the dog is showing excessive thirst out of context, it is important to be aware that this behavior can be indicative of serious diseases such as diabetes, hyperthyroidism, pyometra, and kidney diseases, among others. 

8. Eating inedible things

If your dog has the habit of eating everything in sight, it is important to be aware, because despite being a common behavior among puppies, it can also be related to anemia in animals. 

After all, the dog gets sick out of nowhere? 

In general, it is difficult to say that the dog can get sick “out of the blue”, after all, every animal has symptoms when it is not well physically or mentally. Thus, a guardian attentive to his pet will be able to tell when some behavior is out of line and it is time to pay a visit to the veterinarian. 

The importance of preventive health 

To avoid the development of diseases - more or less serious than others - it is essential that every guardian invests in preventive health for his pet! This means visiting the veterinarian every six months or annually in order to carry out check-up exams that will identify in due time any physical problem that the pet may be facing or will face.