Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Dog Illness Symptoms and Diagnosis

A healthy pet makes for a happy owner. Regular grooming, proper feeding, and adequate exercise can go a long way in keeping your dog healthy. But it is not always possible to avoid sickness and so the best thing you can do is to keep an eye open for possible signs and symptoms of illness in your dog. There are many different causes for health problems, viral, bacterial, or metabolic, and getting a correct diagnosis for dog illness is important. Your vet most likely will be experienced and capable enough to detect what’s wrong with your dog after a brief examination, but may also decide to carry out blood tests, fecal tests, and urine analysis to be on the safe side and to decide which course to follow. Once the cause of the illness is determined, your pet can receive timely and appropriate treatment. This will save yourself and your pet much expense, bother, and discomfort. A prompt visit to the vet might even save your pet’s life.

There are many things that can bring about illness in dogs - sudden changes in the weather, exposure to harsh climatic elements, lack of sufficient exercise or lack of enough rest, poor food or contaminated food, exposure to infectious diseases and parasites, failure to give the proper immunization shots, genetic weaknesses, accident, emotional distress, and so on. Some forms of dog illnesses like Rabies and Leptospirosis are transferable to human beings, as are parasites like ticks, mites, lice, tapeworms, hookworms, and heartworms, so it’s really important to be alert about your pet’s health and take all proper precautions.

List of illness symptoms for dogs:
You can form a diagnosis of your dog’s illness by noting any sudden or unusual changes in behavior patterns. Does your dog seem quiet, listless and depressed? Is your dog off its food? Does your dog seem disoriented? Has it been losing its balance while getting up or while walking? Has your dog been displaying any unwarranted or uncharacteristic aggression? If the answer is yes to any one of these, it could indicate any kind of physical, hormonal, and neurological disorder, and it is time to go visit the vet.

Your dog is ill if there happens to be any unpleasant smell, coloration or discharge in its feces and urine. There can be several causes, including digestive problems, urogenital tract infection, the presence of internal parasites like tapeworms, hookworms, heartworms, etc, some kind of intestinal obstruction, poisoning, allergies, glands inflammation, vaginitis, cancer, among others. The vet may want to have the feces and urine samples analyzed in a laboratory to discover the exact cause.

Frequent vomiting and diarrhea can indicate anything from intestinal parasites to liver disease to cancer to allergy to enteritis and a host of other disorders.

You can tell whether a dog is healthy or not by checking its coat and skin. A lusterless coat, skin eruptions, and a tendency to frequently scratch or lick the skin don’t point towards good health – it may point towards the presence of parasites like mites and lice, bacterial and yeast infections, some kind of allergy, or towards a case of dermatitis actually. Consult your vet immediately. Skin problems in dogs are extremely unpleasant and often require long and sustained treatments.

A healthy dog has a wet, cold nose. A hot, dry nose or discharge indicate infection or fever. If your dog is having trouble breathing or is drooling too much or is frequently coughing, the signs may point towards some kind of respiratory problems, cardiac problems, or canine filariasis.

Check your dog’s ears. There is no need for concern if the dog doesn’t keep scratching or shaking them all the time, if there is no discharge or unpleasant odor, if there are no foreign bodies or parasites, and if the skin looks clean and healthy.

If your dog is drinking too much water, it could indicate diabetes, kidney and liver problems.

If your dog is limping, it could be a thorn or wound in the paw, arthritis, weight problems, tendonitis, or genetic problems like hip dysplasia or luxating patella.

Discharge from the eyes, squinting, redness or clouding may indicate injury, vision problems, viral infection, fever, and herpes.

If anything seems abnormal or out of the ordinary, contact your vet at once.

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Dog Illnesses – Things to Look for

For many of us, when our dogs are sick, it is often quite difficult to know whether or not dogs illnesses warrant a trip to the emergency room for a dog illness diagnosis.

In an emergency, the first thing you should know is where to take your dog. Many veterinarians offer 24 hour emergency service. Please make sure to ask your vet if this is a service offered by their clinic. If your vet does not offer this service, know where your local veterinary emergency hospital is located.

So how do you know if you are having an emergency? Most veterinarians will tell you that if the owner feels the dogs illnesses are urgent to please call the local emergency clinic and speak to a veterinary staff member. They will assess the situation and in most cases, have you bring your dog in to be examined. The following are some common emergency situations and ideas for how to manage them.

Stomach Pain

If your dog is showing signs of abdominal pain, such as tenderness to the touch, standing with his back arched, or refusing food, you should take him to the closest emergency clinic immediately for a dog illness diagnosis. Other signs of abdominal suffering can include vomiting, crying, shaking and difficulty breathing. These may be signs of Gastric Torsion. This condition can come on suddenly and in most cases affects large, deep chested dogs, but any dog can be afflicted. This condition must be treated as early as possible. There are other conditions associated with abdominal pain such as constipation, kidney or liver disease, or even a common stomach ache, but it is important to have tests done to rule out any other serious problems.

Uncontrollable Bleeding

If your dog gets a cut, you should apply direct pressure with a clean dry bandage to the wound. The bleeding should stop within ten minutes, after which time, you should make an appointment to see your vet as soon as possible. The vet can only give your dog stitches within a small opportunity of time. However, if the bleeding does not end within twenty minutes or the bleeding is from the chest, you should take your dog to the emergency clinic immediately.

Broken Bones Need X-Rays

If your dog has been in an accident where you suspect broken bones, first call your regular vet to see if you can get an appointment quickly. If not, take your dog to the emergency clinic. They will need to take x-rays to determine whether or not bones have been quickly.

Hard To Breathe

If your dog is having breathing difficulties, take him to the closest emergency clinic immediately. There are many reasons why your dog may be having breathing problems and many of them are serious.

My Dog’s Been Hit By A Car

If your dog is hit by a car, it is important to take him to the closest emergency clinic immediately. Even if he is acting normal, he may have internal injuries that need to be taken care of immediately. Wrap your dog in a cover to help prevent shock, and keep away from his mouth, as many dogs that are in distress will bite (even if they never have before).

Continuous Convulsions

If your dog has a minor convulsion or two, it is a serious problem and you should call your veterinarian at once. However, if your dog has a series of convulsions that last for more than a few minutes, you should place a blanket over your dog, keep away from his mouth and get him to the nearest emergency clinic immediately. There are several reasons why your dog could be having convulsions, including epilepsy, metabolic problems, brain tumors, and poisoning. Fits of seizures are considered to be life threatening in many occurrences.

For any dogs illnesses, if the you feel that your dog should be seen by a veterinarian, phone his office to see how soon you can get in for a dog illness diagnosis. Many veterinarians have assistants available to assess the dogs health problem situation and answer questions to help you determine the seriousness of your dogs condition. If your regular veterinarian is not available, or if you feel that it is an emergency, the best thing to do, if at all possible, is to call the emergency clinic, tell them what is going on, and that you are on the way. This helps the staff prepare for your emergency in advance so the veterinary team is ready to work on your dog when you get there. If you have further questions on what kinds of symptoms are emergency situations, please ask your veterinarian.

Monday, June 20, 2011

Signs That Your Dog Is Getting Sick

It is not always that easy to tell if your dog is sick or getting sick. There are a number of things to watch out for that should raise red flags, however, so keep these in mind and you’ll know when a trip to the vet’s office is in order.

First of all, if your dog is getting on in years, she could be having some of the same problems that humans have with regard to joint problems like arthritis. If your dog starts limping, favoring one paw or one side, or seems to have trouble going up steps or is slowing down on walks, she may be developing degenerative arthritis. Here is an all-natural product that can help. It is in liquid form and easy to administer, and there is a risk-free offer to try it out.

For younger dogs changes in eating or drinking habits are good indicators of problems. If your dog seems excessively thirsty and starts drinking more than is normal, she could be developing a disease like diabetes, or it could be an indication that a change in medication is warranted. If your dog stops eating for a period of time or starts wanting a lot more food and raids the garbage can or the table, then something is probably out of order.

Vomiting is another indicator. Some vomiting in dogs is not a problem, but if this continues for a couple of days or if you see indications of blood coming up, you should take the animal to the vet.

A dog’s coat should be full and shiny. If the sheen has gone out of the animal’s coat or especially if you see splotches of missing hair, then something is amiss. It could be a problem with parasites like fleas or ticks, or there could be disease of some sort.

Observation of your dog’s stools from time to time is also a good idea. A dog’s stools should be firm and moist. If your pet has diarrhea for a period of time or has hard, dry stools and strains a lot when having a bowel movement, then it is time to visit the vet’s office.

General lethargy is another indicator, although it can be a subtle one. If you dog doesn’t want to play or go for a walk, for example, then something is probably wrong. If this condition continues for more than a couple of days, it would be wise to see your veterinarian.

A good rule of thumb is to keep a close eye on your dog and look for any sort of changes. If those changes persist for a while then there is probably a reason, and it is also probably a good idea to have the animal seen by a veterinarian.

Sunday, June 19, 2011

Dog illness Diagnosis: Symptoms of Sick Dogs

Since your dog cannot tell you when it is ill, it is up to the dog owner to notice any changes in the behavior or appearance that might indicate that your dog is sick. Your observation on the symptoms of your sick dog and information given to your vet will assist him a great deal in your dog illness diagnosis.

To do a simple dog illness diagnosis for your dog, these are the dog body parts that vets would look out for, you can use this as a guide to help report to your vet if you spot any changes or symptoms.

1. Dog eyes – With many inherited and acquired eye diseases, changes in the eyes are usually indicators of more complex and serious diseases elsewhere in the body. The condition of the eyes will give the vet some clues about where else to focus his attention on.

A dog’s eye should be bright, clean and free of discharge. There should be no redness, squinting or vision impairment.

2. Dog nose – Dogs generally have wet, cold nose. The vet will look for discharges, swelling and physical changes, and if they are dry and hot. Hot and dry dog noses indicate fever, but it also can be due to aging or emotional changes.

3. Dog ears – They are usually checked for any discharges or unusual odors. A heavily furred, lopped ear like a Cocker Spaniel can act like a cover on the ear canal, raising the humidity within and creating an ideal place for canine ear infection. Lastly, tufts of dog hairs and foreign bodies, the color of the skin inside the ears are also examined closely.

The inside of the ears should be dull pink and free of discharge and odor. The flaps should hang symmetrically. Occasional head shake is normal, especially when a dog wakes up from a snooze.

In most cases, information given on the symptoms of your sick dog will help largely in determining and diagnosing your dog illness. Remember that your dog is dependent for you for its medical care and that prevention is certainly better than cure.

Saturday, June 18, 2011

Get The Right Dog Illness Diagnosis

Although many symptoms relate to many different health problems, a vet will be able to take tests and determine the correct diagnosis of the problem. Never use over the counter medications unless you are one hundred percent sure what the cause of the health problem is or you could place your loved companion in more danger. Some symptoms I will discuss are behavior, feces, urine and skin. Knowing more about these symptoms will help you understand what the problem might be.

Dog Illness Diagnosis of the Feces

A digestive tract problem may result in a strong smell of the feces. An intestinal problem, colitis or a foreign object ingested may cause blood in the stool. If the color appears abnormal, it may represent an infection of some kind. If a foreign object or a digestive problem exists, you may see mucus in the stool of your dog.

Also with a digestive problem may cause constipation if the dog has a pelvic fracture, anal gland enlargement, hernia or intestinal nerve damage. Diarrhea may result because of diet, parasite, infection, poisoning and allergies. Diagnosis of the feces is a sure way to find out if there is a health problem with your dog.

Dog Illness Diagnosis of Urine

Urine analysis determines if your dog has many different problems. Signs that the problem may be hepatorrenal also known as the liver and kidneys are an odor omitted by the urine. Blood in the urine may suggest internal trauma, cystitis or renal infection. If you notice a change in color, you might have a dog with diabetes or renal infection. Sometimes the excessive urination can be a sign of diabetes, Cushing's disease, hepatic disease or an urogenetal infection. Another problem this may be is nefrosis. As you can see, many different conditions can be diagnosed with urine analysis.

Dog Illness Diagnosis of the Skin

Dogs experience bouts of dermatitis and hormonal problems, which can result in skin irritation with an odor at times. Licking and scratching excessively is one sign your dog has a skin condition. This condition may be result of other sources such as fleas, dry skin from over bathing and an injury that was undetected by you that became infected. Dogs should not be bathed more than once a month, but preferably every two to three months if possible.

Dog Illness Diagnosis in Behavior

If a dog loses their balance, they may have apoplexy, meningitis or a neurological unbalance. Rabies causes apathy and isolation along with vomiting, foaming around the mouth and aggressive behavior. Loss of weight due to anorexia suggests a digestive problem as well as a change in the food they are used to eating. Dogs that display any type of unusual behavior need to be monitored to find the exact cause so you can inform the vet. Early detection helps to eliminate serious problems from occurring. If you notice any major changes in the behavior of your dog, check with a vet for proper diagnosis.

Friday, June 17, 2011

Dog Illness Diagnosis - What You Don't Know Could Be Killing Your Dog

Has your friendly furball ever had a dog illness diagnosis?

If you have never had to experience this it can be a scary thing, just as if you were diagnosed with an illness.

Fortunately today there are many ways you can prevent dog illnesses and get them the right treatment should they receive a dog illness diagnosis in their lifetime.

I'll tell you how you can get your free E-Book outlying dog illnesses, their preventions, treatments and cures, but first let me tell you 3 of the most common dog illnesses.

Diagnosis #1 - Canine Arthritis.

* Very common illness among aged dogs and certain breeds of dogs.
* Similar to human arthritis - dogs joints get inflamed, it is painful, etc.
* Treatable with medication and holistic medicines

Diagnosis #2 - Heartworms.

* Very Deadly & Painful - One of the deadliest in fact.
* Worms infest blood vessels and the heart which can cause death.
* Treatable with medications and the parasites can be found easily by a Veterinarian with a blood test.

Diagnosis #3 - Kennel Cough

* Upper respiratory infection that can easily be transferred from dog to dog.
* Dogs are especially susceptible in close quarters or "kennels" around other dogs. * Though the dog does not necessarily need to be in close quarters to contract it.
* Treated with Antibiotics and holistic remedies. - A vaccination is also available.

These are just a few of the many common illnesses that can affect your dog.

If you have not already taken your dog in to see a vet then take your dog to a veterinarian to get a checkup and schedule regular visits. Your dog's health is important for you and your dog to enjoying a happy and long relationship together.

Always seek out the advice of a medical professional if you have specific questions relating to symptoms or if you know your dog is in need of medical attention.

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Proper Dog Illness Diagnosis

Numerous symptoms can be caused by dog illnesses. A dog owner may attempt to diagnose the dogs condition based on a symptom. However, the symptoms can be misleading as many symptoms can be caused by different dog illnesses.

Behavior changes are often misinterpreted by dog owners. A dog can show signs of dog illness or injury by its behavior. A dog owner may not notice mild changes in behavior or changes may be attributed to normal aging or mood when it could have an abnormal physical cause.

Changes in behavior should be taken seriously. A dog owner should notify the veterinarians office when there are observable changes in the dogs behavior to determine if the change in behavior could be caused by a dog illness or injury.

Dog owners may attempt to diagnose the dog. Many websites offer information to help dog owners diagnose a dog illness. This is not necessarily detrimental, but a dog owner should understand that the diagnosis that they identify could be wrong. Even veterinarians are sometimes wrong about a dog illness diagnosis, but the veterinarian is able to do tests to confirm a diagnosis.

The dog owner is still important for dog illness diagnosis. The dog owner can let the veterinarian know of the physical and behavioral changes in the dog. This helps the veterinarian get an idea of what may be wrong with the dog.

The veterinarian takes the information provided by the dog owner and does a physical examination of the dog. If the veterinarian suspects a dog illness that can be identified by blood tests, the veterinarian will perform those tests and possibly other tests to rule out other disorders.

Other diagnostic tests may be performs. The veterinarian may check the dogs feces or urine. X-rays may be used for a variety of symptoms and dog illnesses.

Once a proper diagnosis has been achieved, the veterinarian may discuss the illness and treatment options with the dog owner. The dog owner should be able to ask questions to the veterinarian about the illness and treatment.

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Top 10 Dog Illness Diagnosis Helping Tips

When something just seems “off” about your dog it’s not as easy to as discerning what’s wrong with yourself or with a child who can describe it to you. However, by knowing what to look for and observing sick dog symptoms you can better help your veterinarian properly make a dog illness diagnosis.

Below are the Top Ten Symptoms that can help in a dog illness diagnosis when you need it most:

1. Dry Nose — A dog’s nose should be moist and cool, and a nose that is not indicates illness. By gently touching the tip you can tell if your dog’s nose is dry or cracked.

2. Heavy Panting — Heavy or excessive panting can mean any number of dog health problems; watch for other symptoms along with it, and make certain the panting isn’t because of ordinary circumstances like heat or physical exertion.

3. Repeated Vomiting, Gagging, Sneezing, or Coughing — While the occasional cough, sneeze, or even vomiting is not a cause for alarm with dogs, repeated instances of these can be a concern.

4. Change in Weight — Many dog illness diagnoses accompany a rapid loss or gain in weight, especially if the dog’s eating habits have not changed.

5. Hair Loss — Many dogs shed layers of fur naturally, but patchy or unusually large clumps of missing fur can be a sign of mites, or even canine Cushing’s disease.

6. Unusual Odors — While a dog’s breath may not typically be a fragrant bouquet, a sudden, overwhelmingly unpleasant smell can be an indicator of internal problems. Also make note of odors from the skin, ears, or anus.

7. Change in Bowel Movement — Not the most pleasant symptom to watch for, but an important one nonetheless. Bloody, discolored, hard, or uncomfortable stool or urine is a symptom of such conditions as infections or pancreatitis in dogs.

8. Pain — A dog in pain may whimper for no obvious reason, or shrink away or flinch from touching.

9. Change in Eating/Drinking/Urination — When a dog’s eating habits, amount of fluid intake, or frequency of urination change by raising or decreasing noticeably for a length of several days, speak to your vet.

10. Change in Behavior — Behavior changes often accompany illness, disease, or injury. Aggressiveness, lethargy, or depression is a common symptom.

The best way to notice such symptoms is to be on the lookout for your dog’s normal, healthy behavior. Dog health insurance can help in keeping your dog’s veterinary visits frequent, and frequent visits can also help a veterinarian make the right dog illness diagnosis when needed.

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Dog Illness Diagnosis

Dog illnesses cause a large variety of symptoms. When the dog owner tries to identify what is wrong with the dog, the symptoms can be misleading. Symptoms can be physical and behavioral.

The correct cause of behavioral changes in dogs can be difficult to determine. A dog that used to spend a significant amount of time running and playing may stop after only a short time or not be interested in playing at all. This could be the sign of a serious dog disease, but the owner may think it is just aging or laziness.

Changes in behavior should be taken seriously. A dog owner should notify the veterinarians office when there are observable changes in the dogs behavior to determine if the change in behavior could be caused by a dog illness or injury.

Dog owners may attempt to diagnose the dog. Many websites offer information to help dog owners diagnose a dog illness. This is not necessarily detrimental, but a dog owner should understand that the diagnosis that they identify could be wrong. Even veterinarians are sometimes wrong about a dog illness diagnosis, but the veterinarian is able to do tests to confirm a diagnosis.

The dog owner is not an unnecessary part of dog illness diagnosis. Dog owners play a crucial role in helping the veterinarian diagnose a dog illness. Dog owners can report the symptoms and describe any noticeable changes in the dogs behavior.

The veterinarian uses the information provided by the dog owner about the dogs symptoms when determining the cause of the symptoms. The veterinarian may do some tests on the dog to identify the dog illness. Veterinarians often have to do several tests to rule out dog illnesses that can cause the same symptoms.

Other diagnostic tests may be performs. The veterinarian may check the dogs feces or urine. X-rays may be used for a variety of symptoms and dog illnesses.

The veterinarian may suggest different treatment options once the dog illness diagnosis is confirmed. The dog owner should feel comfortable asking questions about the diagnosis and treatment.

Monday, June 13, 2011

Getting A Dog Illness Diagnosis

Numerous symptoms can be caused by dog illnesses. A dog owner may attempt to diagnose the dogs condition based on a symptom. However, the symptoms can be misleading as many symptoms can be caused by different dog illnesses.

The correct cause of behavioral changes in dogs can be difficult to determine. A dog that used to spend a significant amount of time running and playing may stop after only a short time or not be interested in playing at all. This could be the sign of a serious dog disease, but the owner may think it is just aging or laziness.

When a dog owner notices physical or behavioral changes in the dog, the dog owner should consult a veterinarian. Dog illness diagnosis relies on extensive knowledge of dog anatomy and physiology and the ability to run any necessary diagnostic tests.

While a dog owner may recognize some symptoms as being related to a condition, a veterinarian should be consulted for a proper diagnosis and treatment. For example, if a dog has difficulty urinating, the dog owner may think the dog has a urinary tract infection. This could be correct, but it could also be due to other dog illnesses.

The dog owner has important contributions during the veterinarians examination of the dog. The dog owner can inform the veterinarian of the symptoms that they have observed in the dog. This is important information for a proper dog illness diagnosis.

After receiving information from the dog owner, the veterinarian can do a physical exam and run any tests for diagnosing the dogs illness. The veterinarian may perform several tests to rule out conditions that can cause the same symptoms.

Besides blood tests, the veterinarian may use the dogs feces or urine to determine the cause of the dogs symptoms. X-rays and other diagnostic tests may be used.

After the veterinarian has reached a dog illness diagnosis, the veterinarian may provide the dog owner with treatment options. Dog owners may need to ask questions about the illness and the proposed treatments. The dog owner should feel comfortable in gaining information from the veterinarian.