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.