Recognizing Signs Of Illness In Your Dog

They speak to us in so many different ways. True, we're not going to have a conversation about the war in Iraq, but our dogs communicate with us quite clearly if we can recognize what they're saying. Dogs speak primarily through their body language; happiness, fear, love, anger – they adeptly let us know that they're putting their feelings into their own form of communication.

Dogs will also tell us when they're ill. They are much like human infants in this way; even though they cannot speak, their communication of illness is unmistakable if we know how to decipher their "language." Consider your own dog; you know him better than anyone since you're constant companions. Dog lovers eat with their dogs, have fun with their dogs, relax with their dogs, and even sleep with their dogs! We watch what goes in and what comes out; the food they eat and their normal patterns of elimination. When your dog changes his normal behavior, he's telling you that something's wrong.

The following are some unmistakable signs of illness and distress in dogs: (1) Refusal to eat or drink, (2) Vomiting, (3) Diarrhea, (4) Difficulty urinating, (5) Restlessness, (6) Apathy, (7) Whimpering or crying, (8) Preoccupation with a certain area of their bodies, (9) Running a fever, (10) Blood in urine and/or feces, (11) Panting, (12) Discharge from the nose or eyes.

A dog's normal temperature is around 102 degrees. When you see any of the above signs of illness and distress, the first thing you should do is take his temperature with a rectal thermometer. If his temperature exceeds 103 degrees, this is cause for concern. Your dog may be fighting an infection of some kind. If you see no visible injury or sore spot after giving him a head-to-foot examination, this is a sign that your dog's distress is caused by internal factors.

Whimpering and crying indicates that your dog is in pain. He may even nip at you when you examine him and hit a "sore spot." Excessive panting and quivering also indicate pain. Your dog may lick or paw at the sore area of his body. Ill or injured dogs will try to self-heal by isolating themselves in a closet or corner; it is their ancient instinct to stay in a safe place away from predators while they're healing.

Refusing food and water is a serious sign of illness. Sick dogs won't take anything into their bodies until they're feeling well again. Similarly, ill or injured dogs often vomit and have copious diarrhea, especially if they have ingested something that has either poisoned them or something that they are unable to pass such as your new leather slippers. Blood in urine and/or feces is always a serious warning sign; something harmful is making them bleed internally.

Sick dogs are sometimes restless, unable to sleep and get comfortable. Similarly, sick dogs may be apathetic and listless to the point of extreme lethargy and even coma. If you cannot rouse your dog, this is a sign that he is very seriously ill. Puppies can suffer from a canine version of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS); veterinarians refer to this condition as "fading puppy syndrome" that occurs for no known reason. The pup usually recovers if immediate veterinary attention is given.

Many long-backed dogs like Basset Hounds and Dachshunds are prone to rupturing disks in their backs. If you dog is unable to move his hindquarters, drags his back legs, and appears to be in terrible pain, it is likely he has herniated some disks in his back, causing paralysis. Get your dog to the vet immediately for possible back surgery; the sooner he receives veterinary emergency care, the better his chances are of regaining full function.

The twelve signs of illness discussed above all necessitate a prompt visit to your veterinarian. Your dog needs help to recover from an infection, an internal injury or illness, a stroke, even a cancerous condition. Your canine family member depends solely upon you to recognize the signs that he is ill or injured.