6 Signs of illness in dogs and cats
If you are a pet lover and have a pet dog or a cat at home, then you must have noticed that sometimes pets behave unusually in a way that may be difficult for us to decipher. Sometimes you may get annoyed, while at other times get confused as to why your loving pet is acting so strange. But do remember that since pets can not talk, they only express their discomfort through physical symptoms, gestures and behavioral changes. Here are some common symptoms that can tell you when your pet cat or dog is sick.
1. Loss of appetite
Dogs and cats tend to lose their appetite if they are suffering from illnesses like fever, pain, stress, or some other grave health problem. If lack of hunger stays for more than 24 hours at a stretch, you must take your pet to a veterinary doctor. While loss of appetite in dogs may or may not be a serious problem, in case of cats, it is seen as a precursor to a number of diseases including liver malfunction and fatty liver. Also, if your pet has been acting lethargic, it may be a sign indicating a health problem.
2. Frequent vomiting
If your pet cat or dog vomits several times a day, it is an indication that your pet is unwell. You will need to check if your pet spits out blood with the vomit. Vomiting may indicate that either your pet has swallowed a hard or sharp foreign object, or has gastrointestinal problems or parasitic infections.
3. Unusual urination
Too frequent or too scanty urination may suggest that your pet is facing problems like diabetes, urinary tract infection, gall stones, liver or kidney disease or adrenal gland disease.
4. Persistent coughing
If your pet has chronic cough, then there is a possibility that he may be suffering from heart worms or some other heart or lung ailment. Dogs also suffer from a type of cough called kennel cough, which, when associated with symptoms like fever, loss of appetite, running nose, fatigue etc, can even lead to pneumonia.
5. Itchy skin and hair loss
In case of most pets, itchy skin is brought about by ticks, mange mites or flea infestations. However, there may also be certain other factors contributing to the problem, such as endocrine diseases, staph infections, yeast or fungal infections as well as hormonal problems.
6. Body stiffness
If your pet is facing difficulties in standing up, climbing staircases, running etc and appears to be stiff-bodied, it can be an indication that he is suffering from diseases such as arthritis, hip dysplasia, ruptured ligament etc. Arthritis can also be caused by Lyme disease, a disease caused by ticks, and can render your pet immobile. If your pet exhibits these symptoms, consult your vet who may then suggest physical therapy or surgery to eradicate the problem.
