Signs that your pet may be unwell.

Everyone gets sick from time to time, and while for people it's easier to communicate your symptoms to a doctor, our pets simply don't have the same luxury of letting us know when they're doing poorly. While some issues can be mild and may be dealt with at home, should you spot your pet showing any of the following signs then you need to get them to the vet as soon as possible.

This guide is specifically focused on mammals such as dogs and cats. Please don't refer to any of the below symptoms for amphibious, reptilian, or exotic pets!

Respiratory issues

Fortunately, issues revolving around your pet's breathing can be spotted rather quickly. So should you see your animal showing signs of bated breath, lethargy, or wheezing, you need to act immediately!

This is especially true for smaller dogs and cats who have tiny respiratory tracts that may become life-threatening if not attended to quickly. Respiratory issues could encompass a number of different maladies including lung or heart disease, obstructions, or infections.

Drooping of the ears

Should you notice your dogs or cats having a dropped ear carriage then more often than not your pet may be suffering from an ear infection. Immediately do what you can to treat and clean out the infected area using approved antibiotics. Should your pet continue to show signs of irritation by shaking or scratching their heads then it's time for a trip to the vet.

Ear infections can be caused by a number of factors. Remember, your dog or cat is out and about in the garden for extended periods of time. It's pretty common for small objects, even insects, to become lodged in their ear cavity leading to further complications. 

Finally, if you spot your pet with BOTH ears dropped then this clearly a sign that your pet may be experiencing more than just an infection. Don't leave it too late and get them treated as soon as possible.

Diarrhoea and Vomiting
 

• Diarrhoea
   

This is a common issue that most pet owners will deal with in some form or the other. Diarrhoea is perhaps one of the most common forms of indigestion and should it persist for more than a day then you need to consider acting quickly.

Bear in mind that cats and dogs dehydrate a lot quicker than humans do, so any issues revolving around indigestion need to be addressed quickly so that they can recover fast with a simpler treatment.
 

• Vomiting
   

While pets often vomit up random chunks of who-knows-what, it does become a concern if your pet is vomiting around 2 - 3 times a day, or even in an hour. Should this start to occur, you need to treat it as an emergency and contact your vet immediately.

Vomiting usually does not mean anything life-threatening, but it is always in the best interest of your pet to have them diagnosed and examined quickly in order to save yourself from costly treatments down the line.

Gait

Pay close attention to how your animal usually moves around and in what manner. Should they stop walking straight and start to crab walk then this could be an indication of spinal injury. As we've said before, pets tend to be gregarious, especially when they're young and full of boundless energy. Injuries can happen in the blink of an eye.

If you happen to notice this, be sure to check your pet's abdomen and whether it feels tense. Also, pay attention to whether or not they are refusing to climb up on any surfaces as this can be a further indicator of some form of injury. Never leave these to chance. Take your pet to the vet immediately.

An increase in urination habits

This isn't the easiest thing to spot, but should you notice your pet drinking an abnormally large amount of water or is constantly begging to go out, or you notice yourself changing the litterbox a little too often, then it's best to have these symptoms checked by a vet.

While not always the case, signs like these usually refer to internal organ infections or diseases associated with the liver, kidneys, or bladder. In some instances, this can also be an early onset sign of diabetes, hormonal diseases, or even poisoning.

Not eating

If your pet is refusing to eat for longer than two days (48 hours) then it is recommended that you have them checked immediately. Any delay in treatment can lead to nutritional deficiencies on top of whatever ailment they have been affected with.

If your pets are overweight and are refusing to eat then this can lead to/be a sign of acute liver failure which we cannot understate - needs to be treated immediately!

Recommended vets in the Northern Suburbs

Most pet owners should know atleast one veterinarian in their area. However, if you're a first-time pet owner and are looking for some of the best-recommended vets in the Northern Suburbs then consider contacting the following approved practices and choose the one that is most convenient for you.

• Blue Bush Animal Clinic
• Randpark Ridge Veterinary Hospital
• Dr AS Leonard Veterinary
• Van Zyl E M T/a Northumberland Animal Hospital
• Honeydew Animal Clinic
• Johannesburg Specialist Veterinary Centre
• Olivedale Veterinary Clinic
• Northriding Vet Clinic
• Fourways Veterinary Hospital
   

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