Subtle Signs Your Dog Needs Vet Care
When your dog is throwing up, lethargic, or severely injured, it is obvious that they need vet care. But some other signs that a dog is struggling and needs vet care are not so obvious. If you're able to notice any signs early on and get your dog to the vet promptly, then you can keep things from getting worse. Here are some of those warning signs you should not ignore:
Drinking a Lot
It's normal for a dog to be extra thirsty when it's hot outside or after a lot of exercise. But outside of these conditions, if your dog starts lapping down bowl after bowl of water, something is amiss. This is a common sign of diabetes. In an effort to flush out all of the extra sugar in the blood, the kidneys start making more urine, and that makes the dog very thirsty. Diabetes requires ongoing vet care that can include insulin injections and a carefully planned diet.
Standing With Their Head Against the Wall
Some people see their dog standing with its head against the wall and think it is silly or cute. But actually, this can be a sign of a neurological problem. It could indicate that your dog has had a stroke, or it could indicate an underlying condition like Lyme disease. It's best to let the vet run some tests and find out.
Red, Weeping Eyes
When you see a dog with red, weeping eyes, it is easy to shrug it off and figure that they just have allergies or got something in their eyes. And indeed, this is a possibility. But it is also possible that your dog has scratched their cornea or has an eye infection, and both of those problems could result in the loss of an eye if your dog does not see the vet promptly. Eye problems are always an emergency.
Sudden Aggression
Has your dog suddenly started to act aggressively? This is often passed off as a behavioral issue, and sometimes it is. But often the sudden aggression is actually a reaction to pain. It can also be due to a stroke or a neurological condition. It's best to take the dog to the vet and let them run some tests to be sure. If they eliminate any medical causes, then you can turn to training to correct the behavior.
Keep your eyes out for the more subtle signs that your dog needs vet care to can prevent larger issues. For more information, reach out to a veterinary clinic, like Animal Emergency Clinic.