Recognizing Signs of Sickness in Dogs

Part of Dog Health & Nutrition For Dummies Cheat Sheet

Your dog will probably get sick at some point in its life. Learn to recognize the signs of your minor maladies in your dog – a tummy ache or soreness after playing hard -and signs of real illness. If your dog shows any of the following symptoms, it’s time to call your veterinarian:

Any loss of appetite that continues for 24 hours or more.
Vomiting or diarrhea that persists for more than 24 hours, or any vomiting or diarrhea in a dog more than 8 years of age.
Symptoms of bloat, such as unsuccessful attempts to vomit, rapid shallow breathing, a distressed appearance, pacing back and forth, or a painful or enlarged abdomen.
A first seizure, recurrent seizures, or any seizure that lasts more than three minutes.
Body temperature above 104 degrees or below 100 degrees.
A serious fall or blow to the head, chest, or abdomen, even if there is no apparent injury; any injury to the eye, no matter how minor; or any encounter with a moving vehicle.
Any open wound or injury in which bleeding continues for more than five minutes, despite your efforts to control it.
Difficulty breathing.
Collapse or unconsciousness.
Snake bite.
Heatstroke.
Poisoning.
Burns, no matter how minor.
Straining or difficulty urinating or defecating.
Lameness lasting more than 24 hours.

Recognizing Signs of Sickness in Dogs

Dog Health and Nutrition For Dummies