5 Signs You Need to Take Your Pet to the Vet

Pets are adorable little creatures. They offer companionship, offer comfort, eradicates loneliness, and eliminates stress. Also, recent studies have linked pet ownership to reduced blood pressure and cholesterol. However, no matter how friendly pets are, it is often difficult to discern when one is unwell. Here are five warning signs that you need to take your pet to the vet.

1. Unusual Feeding Habits

If you notice a sudden fall or surge in your pets’ feeding habits, it is time to visit the vet. The pet’s sudden urge to feed can be attributed to pregnancy or tumors. On the other hand, reduced appetite or refusal to eat for more than 24 hours may indicate an infection, mouth ulcer, parasitic infection, or tumor.

Additionally, if your pet vomits more than once in 24 hours, your pet is likely to be suffering from some stomach discomfort. Note that pets vomit food as a mechanism to get rid of toxins in their body. As a pet owner, you must check the color and smell of the vomits. Blood in the vomit indicates a gastrointestinal bleed. You should also note the frequency of vomiting as it may highlight the pathology of the disease.

It is crucial to schedule a visit to the vet to know the exact root cause of unusual feeding habits.

2. Malaise And Sudden Weight Loss

A lethargic pet sleeps for more hours than usual. Malaise may also present as sudden disinterest in activities it previously enjoyed, like going for a stroll or playing. In some cases, inactivity on sunny days is attributed to high temperatures and a lot of activities that naturally make the muscles sore. However, if malaise prolongs to more than 48 hours, it could indicate thyroid disorders, Lyme disease, diabetes, leukosis, and stress.

Another sign that you need to take your pet to the vet is sudden weight loss. Note that in smaller pets, weight loss of as little as one pound indicates a health issue. If your pet is getting thinner and tired, it may be due to malnutrition, infection, anemia, or even a tumor.

3. Extreme Thirst, Frequent Urination, and Unusual Stool

Contrary to people’s beliefs, pets can also suffer from diabetes. Diabetes in pets is characterized by frequent urination, excessive hunger, and thirst. If you note any of the above symptoms, you should schedule a visit with your veterinary doctor.

Note that pets on a strictly dry food diet take more water than those that are not. Frequent urination also indicates kidney problems, urinary tract infections, or urinary incontinence.

Another indicator of disease in pets is an unusual stool. If your pet’s stool has the following then you should visit your vet:

• Worms in the stool.
• Watery stool.
• Bloody stool.
• Mucus in the stool.

The unusual stool is a sign of parasitic infection, bacterial or viral infection. If you observe unusual stool and eating habits, it is recommended to schedule a visit with your vet.

4. Inflammation

Inflammation is the body’s natural response to infection or trauma. A torn ACL in dogs often presents as an inflamed limb. It is usually excruciatingly painful, and the animal opts not to move unless it is completely necessary.

Additionally, red and inflamed eyes are signs of infection or trauma to the eyes. In worse scenarios, an inflamed eye may produce pus. Sometimes inflammation may present as aggression because it is excruciating. Additionally, inflammation could indicate arthritis, especially in old pets, and dental disease. If you note these signs in your pet, schedule an emergency visit with your vet as your pet may lose a limb or an eye.

5. A Change In The Tone And Texture Of The Pet’s Coat

Furry pets experience the shedding of their coats every once in a while. However, if you note excessive shedding or a sudden change in the natural color of your pet’s fur then that means that your pet could be suffering from:

• Skin disorders due to infestation of external parasites.
• Tumor.
• Nutritional deficiencies.
• Allergies.
• Thyroid disorders.

Massive fur loss warrants a checkup visit to the vet.

Conclusively, pets are an integral part of human life. However, it may be challenging to figure out if your pet is unwell or not. Nonetheless, if you observe the above five symptoms, ensure that you schedule a checkup visit with your vet.