*Bringing awareness into all our inner dog circles As a dog groomer, I see plenty of dogs. I saw even more, dog hiking. Both jobs provide the skill sets that allow me to go over their physical bodies as a complimentary service either during the grooming process or monthly during the hikes.
Sometimes, I found small growths that did require a follow up with the vet, while other times just monitoring was sufficient since it didn't do anything. As long as it wasn't aggressive-the risks were low. When to worry about your favourite fur pal. Learn the warning signs that mean you should take your pet to the vet. Any sign of change requires an immediate follow up with the vet or when you see a variety of sudden changes in your pooch such as, when your dog vomits. Occasional vomiting isn’t unusual for dogs. Animals may vomit to get rid of something that doesn’t agree with them, but some vomiting should concern you. For example, you should call the vet immediately if your dog vomits frequently or several times in a row, vomits blood and/or has a fever. Severe vomiting could also cause dehydration or diarrhea, so seek treatment early. Displays odd eating habits, it’s not out of the ordinary for your dog to skip a meal or two, especially if it’s hot outside, but any more than this should be a red flag that something is off. Two days without eating is a clear sign that your dog needs an examination. Some diseases cause dogs to develop unusual eating habits. If your dog is usually well-behaved but begins raiding the pantry or garbage, you should take them for a checkup. Changes in skin, a rash, allergic reaction, or tumour appears. Excessive thirst. It’s important to know about how much water your dog drinks each day. A dog that drinks more water than usual could be developing kidney disease or diabetes. You’ll be able to tell if your dog is drinking too much water if you have to refill the water bowl more than normal, or if they have an excessive amount of urine, need to go outside more often, or have accidents in the house. Tired and sluggish. Lethargy is a sign that something may be troubling your dog. A lethargic dog may be uninterested in playing, going for a walk, or participating in activities they usually enjoy. Normal fatigue or sore muscles can sometimes be due to high temperatures, but you should see a vet if symptoms persist for more than two days. Sudden weight loss. Even in an overweight dog, sudden weight loss should prompt you to take them to the vet. Losing weight quickly and unexpectedly could indicate a serious health condition. If your dog drops in weight by 10 percent, bring it to your vet’s attention. In small dogs, this may be as little as a 1-pound weight loss. A dog’s stool is a good indicator of their overall health. A healthy dog will have small, firm, moist stools. Dry, hard stools may be a sign of health maladies, dietary problems, or dehydration. Take your dog to the vet if they have any of these symptoms, worms noted in the stool, diarrhea for more than 24 hours, straining, blood or mucus in the stool. Cloudy or red eyes, squinting, or excessive discharge from your dog’s eyes could indicate an infection or injury. Make sure you bring your dog for a checkup right away. Diseases affecting the eyes can progress rapidly and cause blindness. Medication can be used to cure an infection or alleviate clinical signs. Additional Emergency Symptoms Open wounds or possibly broken bones, such as from being hit by a car or other trauma. Stopped breathing or unconsciousness Repeated vomiting or vomiting blood Seizure Sudden collapse or difficulty breathing Bleeding from their mouth, nose, or eyes Possible poisoning from eating something toxic Extreme pain, seen as whining or shaking Hard and swollen abdomen All of that to say this. When my dog Piper was sick in Oct 2020. I just thought, oh she must have gotten into something. Only she was sick again, in the middle of the night. Then I noticed she wasn't eating. Then about half way thru our day I noticed on her belly a rash developed. Now I am concerned things appear to getting more serious. I contact the vet and book an appt only to learn they were booked until November. At which time my friend suggested calling around to see who could get us in sooner. My daughter was helping in the grooming room the next day and then we saw the scariest sign of all. A growth on Pipers eyelid appeared suddenly overnight. Piper was still drinking water and I was grateful for this, but something was definately going on. Piper had appeared to be a happy, healthy dog overall. She has always been anxious, but things seem to suddenly come up with her on occasion. Due to a dog’s survival instinct, they will work to appear healthy on the outside. It’s important as a pet owner to be observant and aware of the subtlest changes. You know your dog better than anyone, so if something seems wrong, take them to the veterinarian for a checkup. In Piper's case, she was treated for a round cell tumor. I was told to monitor it until the end of 2020. It would either go away meaning it was begnin or it would become agressive and further treatment would be required. I was relieved until yesterday, it was all left in 2020. However, it was Piper's turn for her groom & I found another small tumor on her rear left hock. I am not seeing any other symptoms at this time. I will only monitor the growth now that I spotted it or if any of the above symptoms occur again, I will book an appt for an exam. For now, its one day at a time with my fur pal. Although, this has prompted me to look into alternative health care for Piper too. More on this next blog....
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AuthorHi, my name is Lori and I want to personally welcome you to Making Tracks Dog Hiking Blog. This is where I will begin blogging posts about current adventures in the outback as well as, important topics regarding our furry companion(s), as Making Tracks leaves paw prints all over the web and I hope your heart and mine. Archives
April 2024
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