When it comes to pets, there are few things as scary as when they’re not acting themselves. When you notice that your dog is walking strangely or your cat doesn’t want to eat dinner, you should probably take a closer look at what’s going on with them. These problems can be signs of something serious like cancer or diabetes that needs immediate attention.
Because they cannot speak, your pet relies on you to recognize the signs of illness and get help when needed. But knowing what those signs are can be difficult. And to make it worse, they have an instinct to often hide their symptoms in the early stages of an illness.
So it is our responsibility to constantly check on them. It is always a better idea to get the help of online petcare services like PetCareRx to provide them with the best care they need. And never be late to consult a veterinarian whenever situations are out of control.
Here Are Six Signs That You Should Never Ignore In Your Pets
Difficulty Breathing Or Excessive Panting
If you see your pet panting, it could be a sign of something serious. Panting is the body’s way of cooling itself down, but if your dog or cat is panting excessively or has difficulty breathing, it might be having a heat stroke. If so, they need to be cooled down immediately.
Heat stroke can be fatal in just 15 minutes if left untreated. It’s more common in dogs than cats because their fur coats trap the heat inside their bodies and make it difficult for them to cool themselves off by sweating as other animals do.
If you suspect that your pet is suffering from heat stroke:
- Move them somewhere cooler, like an air-conditioned room.
- Cool them down with water. Use cold water directly on their face and chest but don’t immerse them completely in the water as this could lead to a shock. Also, make sure not to let any water run into their ears. Gently wipe away any excess moisture instead. Call a vet right away if symptoms persist after taking these steps.
Lack Of Appetite
Although a loss of appetite in pets does not necessarily indicate severe disease, prompt veterinary attention is still important because it could be a sign that the animal has an illness caused by some type of infection.
Most of the time, it happens when your pet just got a vaccine or has a dental problem. However, If your pets stop eating after you take them on a trip or move to a new home, it is probably because of motion sickness or feeling uncomfortable in unfamiliar surroundings.
Distended Abdomen
Abdominal distension occurs when the abdominal cavity is abnormally expanded. This can be caused by factors other than simple obesity. It can be caused by fluid accumulation and enlargement of organs such as the kidney, spleen, or liver. The pressure from the abdomen pushing into the chest can make breathing difficult and decrease appetite.
Red Eye
You know the feeling, right? When your eyes are red, puffy, and irritated. It feels like hell. Your dogs and cats can also get pink eyes, and it can get very serious without proper treatments.
An eye infection can occur for a variety of reasons, such as an injury or a foreign object in the eye. If left untreated, it could lead to ulcers on the cornea and even blindness. Ask your veterinarian about treating your pet with drops during an eye infection.
Excessive Licking And Scratching
If you notice your pet is licking and scratching in an excessive manner, it could be for a few reasons. One of the most common reasons for this is fleas. If your pets have fleas, they will start to scratch themselves until they draw blood, which helps them get rid of the little pests biting them.
Another reason for excessive licking and scratching could be allergies. If your pets have allergies to pollen or dust mites or something else, they may develop skin conditions like hot spots or rashes that will require them to start licking themselves raw and scratching their body to make themselves feel better.
Change In Odor
You’re used to the smell of your furry friend’s breath, but if you detect a change in odor and it becomes more pungent or has a strong smell, it may be time to get your pet checked out.
The following are examples of various types of odors that could indicate an underlying problem:
- Fishy: Indicates an infection or inflammation of the mouth, nose, or throat.
- Fruity: This could be a sign of diabetes mellitus (sugar diabetes) or kidney failure, which a veterinarian must investigate further. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association(AVMA), diabetes can occur in older pets, but it is also a concern for younger or pregnant animals. Early detection and treatment by your veterinarian will help keep the disease under control.
- If you can’t identify any noticeable smells on your pet or notice something different about them, it’s always better to err on the side of caution and call their veterinarian immediately.
If you notice these symptoms in your pet, make an appointment with the vet right away!
