No matter who you are and where you're from, your dog would always have the ability to steal your heart. Because of how they give their unconditional love, protect their human with all their hearts, and the way they cherish and enjoy life, these furballs will surely fit a special space in your heart. And can even be loved like a family. Unfortunately, with all the happiness your dog can bring, there is but one downside-they have a shorter life span and can sometimes be more prone to sickness than us humans.
Though we really can't do anything about it, experts say we can do something to extend a few more years to the lives of our beloved pooches. According to Pet Health Network, the best thing we can do is to look out for signs that show whether or not our beloved dogs are sick. Early detection means more opportunity to treat the problem and longer life to your pet. Here are some of the signs:
- Excessive drooling or bad breath
- Too much urination or drinking
- Instant weight loss or gain
- Appetite change
- Difficulty moving
- Lethargy
- Having flu-like symptoms like sneezing, coughing, and difficulty in breathing
- Lumps, sores, dry, and itchy skin
- Problem with the digestive system
- Cloudy, red, and dry eyes
There are some fur parents that attribute these signs to aging, which can cause a bigger problem in the end as subtle diseases can grow worse in time. Once you've noticed these signs, better to talk to your dog's veterinarian about it the soonest to give your beloved pooch the best treatment possible.
To confirm whether or not your dog is sick, the veterinarian has to undergo several tests. Some of the usual tests include X-rays, complete blood count, urine tests, thyroid tests, ECG, electrolyte and chemistry tests. Depending on your dog's situation, the doctor will suggest your dog take more than one test, to determine the root cause of the problem.
Though getting sick is inevitable, prevention is still better than cure. So make sure to keep your dog healthy. Start by pushing him to be active, letting him eat just the best type of food, giving him enough fruits and vegetables, and keeping him away from foods that are not good and can pose risk on his health. These include chocolates, onions, cow's milk, raisin, grapes, and cooked bones, as revealed by Dog Time.
