Symptoms that your Dog is Sick

There are many medical conditions that might cause your dog to appear sick. Many of these conditions will produce the same type of symptoms. If symptoms persist longer than a day or two or are accompanied by additional signs of illness, veterinary attention is recommended.

  1. Loss of Appetite

    • Loss of appetite could signal an upset stomach or something as severe as an intestinal blockage. Dogs that do not feel well will not eat.

    Vomiting

    • Vomiting is a symptom of many serious diseases, but an upset stomach could also be the cause. The dog's activity before the vomiting episode is an important indicator to the cause.

    Diarrhea

    • Diarrhea is a fairly common occurrence in dogs, but if blood is present or the diarrhea persists longer than a day or two, veterinary attention is warranted.

    Frequent Drinking

    • Increased water consumption could indicate diabetes or kidney problems and require veterinary attention.

    Shaking Head

    • If your dog is constantly shaking its head, it probably has an ear problem. This can be caused by a bacterial or yeast infection, or ear mites.

    Straining to Urinate

    • Straining to urinate, crying out while urinating, frequent urination and blood in the urine are signals your dog might have a urinary tract infection or blockage.