Archive for August, 2009

You know the signs of good health in your dog.  In the same manner you must be alert enough to recognize symptoms of his illness.

Here are the 12 signs of illness, in a dog, that need the vet’s attention

• Dehydration (You can check whether your dog is dehydrated by pulling his skin between your thumb and forefinger. When you release it, if the skin goes back to its shape your dog is fine. If however the pulled up section of the skin remains raised, this is a sign of dehydration)
• Excessive level of grooming
• Abnormal thirst - either the dog drinks too much water or too little
• Loss of appetite
• Sudden loss or gain of weight
• Excessive hair loss ( This is besides the ’shedding” of coat)
• Chronic bad breath and tartar ridden teeth
• Chronic dandruff problems, a coat that doesn’t shine and open sores on the skin
• Uncontrolled or abnormal bowel and/or bladder functions causing “accidents”
• Abnormal discharge from any orifice
• Sudden mood swings and a tendency to be more aggressive for no reason
• Excessive and insistent barking