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A Look at a Dog’s Common Health Warning Signs

Your dog can be your jogging mate in the morning before you leave for work but they also play a crucial role in your children’s upbringing by acting as play partners. Dogs are also known to sometimes sleep for hours, but unlike cats, their sleeping tendencies are not as elongated. In fact, extraordinarily long naps can be an indication that something is wrong with your dog. Aside from that tell-tail sign, dogs can neither talk nor show a lot of physical giveaways. Still, you might never know what a simple sneeze or a seemingly simple sprain might signify. As such, it is vital to stay updated on the ways that you use to gain a better understanding of your dog’s health.

Here are 5 of the easiest-to-read health warning signs from your dog.

  1. Vomiting
    As far as dogs go, vomiting is as healthy as eating their vomit. They often vomit to get rid of something in their digestive systems although there are instances that require immediate medical attention. These include when your dog vomits several times in a row, starts vomiting blood, or has a fever accompanying the dog’s unsettled stomach. In some cases, the vomiting often lead to diarrhea and dehydration.
  2. Sudden Weight Loss
    Even after the holidays when everyone including the dog is trying to shed the weight they accumulated, sudden weight loss is a red flag. While it is normal for an overweight dog to lose weight, anything more than ten percent of its mass could indicate a more severe underlying health condition.
  3. Red or Cloudy Eyes
    Ever wondered why doctors shine a torch on your eyes when you go for a checkup? Well, your eyes can tell a lot about your overall wellbeing. Similarly, a dog’s eyes can be of great help when determining their health. Be on the lookout for red or cloddy eyes especially if they are followed by an excessive squinty discharge.
  4. Overheating
    I bet by now you are surprised by the similarities between the symptoms of sickness there are in human beings are there are in dogs. As one of them, overheating can lead to difficulties in breathing in dogs due to their facial outlook. However, while this needs to be facilitated by external factors such a hot car interior, internal overheating or fever should prompt you to seek immediate medical attention.
  5. Sensitivity to Touch
    Most dogs have been separated from their families after an unexpected, rough touch triggered a natural and violent reaction due to pain. Dogs are never sensitive to touch.  If anything they like being touched just as much as they like licking your face. As such, sensitivity to touch can mean inflammation, gastric torsion, or bloat. This sign is easy to read especially for people who own dogs that love rolling around for a belly rub every time they walk into a room.

Other tell-tale signs include lumps on the dog’s body, scooting ears, an unusual appetite, and excessive thirst.

SOURCES: Petful, Health Line

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