Monitoring Your Pets Health

How well do you know your pet?
Because our pets cannot tell us how they feel, they may become quite ill before signs of their illness become apparent to us. Being aware of their usual behaviour and appearance enables us to observe signs of illness and seek veterinary care before a condition worsens.

Healthy dogs combine contentment and alertness. They usually stretch on rising and look relaxed when resting and are responsive to the activities around them. A trip to the veterinarian is in order if you observe:
- loss of appetite (it is normal for some dogs occasionally to go "off feed" for a day or two, but if the loss of a healthy appetite persists consult your veterinarian)

- lameness

- blood in the urine

- a hair coat with harsh feel or dull texture

- mucus or blood visible in the stools

- foul-smelling stools

- repeated vomiting over several days

- a potbelly or loss of weight

- a "bloated" or distended belly that's firm to touch

- lack of interest in what is happening

- hiding in dark places

- persistent coughing; discharge from the eyes and nose

- scratching or chewing at feet, skin or hair coat

- shaking head, scratching ears.

---

A healthy cat is alert and curious about its environment and anything new it encounters. It has a good appetite, rarely overeats and is conscientious about its grooming. Because cats tend to hide an illness, it is important to be alert for these warning signs:

- hiding for more than 24 hours

- loss of appetite

- dull look to the eyes

- dull, dry hair coat

- cries listlessly

- resents or resists handling

- drinking excessive amounts of water or not drinking the usual amount of water

- excessive urination or straining to urinate

- repeated vomiting

- blood in urine

- failing to use litter pan

- prolonged or severe diarrhea

- chewing at skin, hair coat or extremities.

---

For both dogs and cats, a yellowing of the white around the eye and yellow gums are signs of a problem and a trip to the veterinarian is warranted.

Another sign of illness in dogs and cats is dehydration, a deficit of water in a pet's body which can be life-threatening.

To test for dehydration, pick up a fold of skin in the middle back area and then release it. Normally the skin will snap back. If it falls back slowly or remains up, dehydration is present. Immediate veterinarian care is needed to find the underlying cause and to administer fluids, either intravenously (in the blood vessels) or subcutaneously (under the skin), depending upon the degree of dehydration. This rehydrates the pet until it is drinking on its own.

Among the causes of extreme water loss are diarrhea, vomiting and excessive urination associated with diabetes, heart and renal disease.

Keeping a medical record of your pet's vaccinations, illnesses, injuries, surgeries or medication will be helpful when an emergency situation arises and your regular veterinarian is not available.

If you move to another state, ask your current veterinarian for your pet's medical record to give to the veterinarian you select in your new location.

A final thought
Whenever you have concerns about your pet, avoid the advice of well-meaning friends. Consult your veterinarian. He or she is familiar with your pet and its medical history and has the professional skill and knowledge to diagnose and treat whatever might be the problem