WHAT IS NORMAL, WHAT IS NOT

Here is a rundown of the most common symptom your pet may show, what they might mean, and what action you should take.

Weight loss

If your pet is eating her usual amount of food but is loosing weight, that is a signal that something may be wrong. She may have a gastrointestinal or metabolic disorder such as hyperthyroidism, a condition common in older cats. Since it can be difficult to judge an animal’s weight visually, it is good idea to weight your pet once a month and keep records. A loss one pound in a cat or small dog, or 2 or 3 pounds in a larger dog, is reason to consult your veterinarian.

Loss of appetite

Appetite loss, or anorexia, occurs in a wide variety of diseases. If your pet does not eat for more than a day, call your veterinarian.

Pain

This can be one earlier signs of disease. Animals in pain may become listless, move constantly or be reluctant to move, shiver, groan, and whimper. Neck and back pain often cause animals to avoid moving, and if forced to move, they often cry out. Abdominal pain may cause them to assume a “praying position” with hind legs upright while lying down with the front legs. Any type of severe pain should be checked immediately by your veterinarian. Mild pain that does not go away in day should be checked.

Vomiting

Viral diseases, intestinal obstruction, kidney and liver disease can all cause vomiting. So can something as simple as an abrupt change in diet. As vomiting can be debilitating and quickly lead to fluid imbalances, call your veterinarian if your pet vomits more than once.

Diarrhea

The most common cause of diarrhea is a sudden change in diet, as when table scraps are fed or when you pet gets into the garbage. This type of diarrhea is unusually short lived and is not serious. Intestinal parasites also cause diarrhea, especially in puppies and kitten. Other common causes of diarrhea are infectious diseases, allergies, digestive disorders, kidney and liver disease, and intestinal cancer. Whenever diarrhea lasts for more than one day see your veterinarian.

Coughing

In dogs, coughing is often caused by infectious tracheobronchitis, or “kennel cough” cats often in an attempt to expel a hair ball. Other more serious of coughing are pneumonia, abnormalities of the windpipe, heart disease, allergies, parasites and cancer. Coughing should be checked by your veterinarian as soon as possible, especially when accompanied by labored breathing.

Sneezing

Infectious upper respiratory diseases are the most common cause of sneezing. A couple of sneezes a day may be normal, but persistent sneezing or sneezing accompanied by nasal discharge is not. See your veterinarian.

Excessive fluid intake

On a average day, your dog or cat should not be drinking more than one ounce of fluid per pound of body weight. If you are feeding him dry food now or switch from canned to dry or semi moist food, your pet will drink more water to fulfill his need. That is normal. Any other change in drinking habit that last for more than 2 or 3 days should be checked by your veterinarian.

10 Ways to Add Spice

* Make it hot. Tex-Mex and Cajun cooking adapt well to low-fat, low-salt methods because the strong spicy flavors need no help.
* Add wine, port or sherry to soups, stews and sauces. Cook for half an hour after adding to evaporate the alcohol but keep the flavor. When making refried beans or bean soups, skip the lard and add beer for flavor, texture and moisture.
* Brush mustard on broiled fish or chicken. Add a little paprika, red pepper or parsley.
* Add pineapple, mandarin oranges or other fruits to chicken dishes. Brush orange-juice concentrate on broiled fish or chicken. Instead of pilling on the mayo, add mango, papaya, a few pine nuts and a little honey to chicken salad. A fruit salad dressing of pureed bananas, yogurt, poppy seed and orange juice contains only 30 calories a tablespoon.
* Use pureed potatoes, carrots, beans or French bread to thicken soups.
* In cakes, puddings and pies, add extracts (coconut, almond, vanilla, rum or even butter) to boost flavor while you cut back on salt, fat and sugar.
* Instead of butter and milk, use cinnamon and fruit butters or Butter Buds on hot cereals.
* Add texture and taste to foods with sesame seeds, sunflower seeds or water chestnuts.
* When using yogurt in a heated sauce, first whisk two teaspoons of flour into each cup of yogurt to keep it from separating.
* Start a windowsill garden of your favorite herbs. Then experiment with gourmet delights like pungent baked rosemary chicken, parsley-walnut pesto or poached salmon with dill and yogurt sauce.

5 ways to cut the fat

* Always use a nonstick pan or spray. It’s true that food taste flat without the flavor of butter or margarine. So sprinkle Butter Buds on scrambled eggs, vegetables and rice. If you want to sauté vegetables, try using a little water or low-sodium broth instead of oil.
* Trim and discard any visible fat on meats before and after the meat is cooked. Remove chicken skin before cooking.
* Serve smaller portions of meat. Make meat part of a large dish like a stir-fry, stew or bean-packed chill. Cut the meat sukiyaki-style in thin strips on a diagonal for the illusion of a larger serving.
* Before making stew or soup, chill the broth. The excess fat will rise to the top and harden, so you can easily skim it off.
* Always buy lower-fat version of meals, cheeses, milk and other foods when available. And remember that, in enough quantity, even low-fat foods can pile on the pounds.