HowDoWhy

I spent a couple years employed as a Veterinary technician and the most common lament I recall from the doctors when examining a pet was, “I wish he could tell me what was wrong.” Give your vet a hug the next time you bring Fluffy in for a checkup because the poor Doc faces the double whammy of not only having to cure what ails your pet but he or she also has to figure out what’s wrong without benefit of a patient who can point to where it hurts. You can help significantly by paying attention and bringing a good list of symptoms to the party. While I couldn’t possibly list all symptoms without writing a medical journal, here are some signs to look for.

Limping - Before calling the vet, check your pet’s feet and between the pads. I’ve removed my fair share of thorns from my own pets. If your pet has a good amount of fur between the pads and you’ve just returned from a winter walk, make sure balls of packed snow or ice haven’t formed in the fur between the pads. Also consider what your pet has walked through. One of my dogs once limped uncomfortably and I discovered she’d walked through a puddle of battery acid. A good rinsing with soap and water fixed her right up. If you can’t determine cause, contact your vet.

Frequent or repeated vomiting - I’ve never known a pooch who didn’t throw up now and again, but the key to look for is, does it happen several times over the course of more than one day or does it happen a lot in a single day? If your pet vomits multiple times in a day or a couple times a day for 2 or more days, a call to the vet might be in order. If your cat vomits up what looks like a mouse without bones or tail, it’s probably a hairball and nothing to be concerned about.

Listlessness or lethargy - Any animal easily enticed into playtime who suddenly shows a significant decline in energy and enthusiasm is a good candidate for a vet visit. This is particularly true if there are other symptoms.

Sudden hair loss - Loss of hair can be indicative of several conditions from relatively easy to cure parasitic causes to serious illness that requires more rigorous treatment. Take your pet to the vet if you begin to notice sudden hair loss that exceeds the normal shedding common with seasonal changes.

Foul odor from the ears - Dogs and cats can suffer from ear infections. Floppy-eared dogs are particularly prone. If you notice a foul odor from their ears, a visit to the vet for a good cleaning and treatment is suggested.

Stops using the litter box - A cat that has been a real champ about using a litter box who suddenly starts adopting bad habits may not, in fact, be acting out in angry kitty rebellion. Cats with urinary tract infections or crystals in their urine will begin to associate their litter box with painful urination and may begin to avoid it. Keep in mind, though, that there could be other motivators particularly in males who may just be spraying to mark their territory. The key indicator is the change from good habit to bad habit. If you are at all unsure, call your vet and get their opinion. Do remember to clean the box regularly, though. Cats will often abandon a messy litter box in disgust.

Won’t eat - It’s always a good idea to have your pet on a fixed feeding schedule. It’s probably the best way to manage weight. Of concern to this post, though, having your pet on a fixed feeding schedule will allow you to determine if she’s off her food. This is particularly important in multi-pet households where it’s difficult to tell who has been eating if you just leave full bowls of food around. If you pet skips two or three meals, give your vet a call. Sooner, if there are other symptoms such as vomiting.

Drinks excessively - If your pet has a seemingly unquenchable thirst with no reasonable cause (high heat, just returned from an active walk, etc) give your vet a call. Excessive thirst can be a symptom of many conditions.

Diarrhea - Like people, some dogs and cats have naturally sensitive stomachs. If you find a food that agrees with your pet, stick with it. Avoid feeding your pet table scraps. If your pet is on a consistent diet but suddenly begins to experience diarrhea that lasts more than a few days, give your vet a call.

Frequent Urination - Knowing your pet’s habits will help you recognize this symptom. If your pet starts to urinate frequently or tries to urinate substantially more often than usual but is unproductive, she might be suffering from any number of ailments. Like humans, animals can suffer from bladder and urinary tract infections, stones and crystals (common in cats). A noticeable change in urinary habits would definitely warrant a trip to the vet.

Worms - Often (but not always) visible in the stool, worms can appear as small rice capsules or thin noodles. See this and it’s definitely time for a trip to the vet. Your pets should be on a preventative and given routine check ups. This is particularly true if they are outdoor animals as they are more prone to contracting worms and other parasitic infestations.

Labored breathing - Uncharacteristic panting or apparent difficulty breathing can point to many conditions including some very serious issues. Call your vet immediately.

Bloody stool - A good rule of thumb is that visible red blood in the stool means bleeding in the lower Gastro-intestinal tract (think closer to the butt). Tearing or damage caused by sharp, undigested objects that have passed mostly through the GI tract can do minor or serious damage on the way out though less traumatic causes are also possible. If red blood is visible for more than a couple days, give your vet a call to rule out anything serious. Of significant concern is a black, tar-like stool that might possess a particularly “sharp” or acrid odor. Black tar stools are a sign of intestinal bleeding higher up in the digestive tract and can be a serious symptom. Immediately call your vet if you notice this.

Loss of coordination - A pet that staggers, can’t stand upright or whose eyes dart back and forth (much like you would if you were spun around repeatedly and stopped) could be suffering from severe neurological problems or inner ear disorders. Immediately take your pet to the vet.

Soreness or sensitivity to touch - Animals instinctively try to hide their pain. In the wild, showing weakness can mean being left behind or becoming prey. So if your dog yelps or your cat yowls in pain when touched, there’s definitely something wrong.

Dehydration - Usually a symptom of a larger condition such as frequent vomiting or diarrhea, dehydration is a very serious issue. You can easily determine cases of severe dehydration with a simple skin test. Like your own skin, an animal’s skin should be elastic. Pinch a loose area of skin on your arm and you’ll see it immediately springs back when released. To test your dog or cat, gently lift the skin at the scruff of its neck (the same place a mother might carry her offspring). In a healthy animal, the skin will spring right back when released. You should try this now when your pet is healthy so you know what it should look like. If your pet is severely dehydrated, the skin will slowly recede back to its original shape. Should this happen, immediately get your pet to the vet.

Paleness - Seems odd but, yes, you can check if your pet is pale. First an example - with one finger, press hard on the palm of the other hand. See how the area turns white? Now let go. See how color rushes back in to where you were pressing? The same test can be performed on a pet’s gums. Lift the animal’s upper lip and press a finger against a relatively wide area of gum around or behind the canine tooth. You should see exactly what you saw with your own hand… the area will whiten with pressure and rapidly turn pink when you let go. It should only take a second for color to flow back in. Anything approaching two or more seconds can be indicative of circulatory issues or anemia and would warrant a vet visit. Like the test for dehydration, try this out on your dog or cat now while he’s healthy so you can learn what looks normal as a reference. If your pet is already ill, just follow the rule that the process should take no more than about a second. A slow, 2 second refill of color should result in concern and action particularly if there are other symptoms of illness.

I could continue all day but this is just a list of suggestions, not a primer on veterinary medicine. Ultimately, your own informed judgment and familiarity with your dog or cat will be your best guides. If you know your pet well, you’ll often know something is wrong before others would even recognize any definable symptoms. Spend some time with your pup or kitty every day both to ensure your mutual happiness and to be alert to his or her needs.