Symptoms of an Ill Dog

Increase/Decrease in Appetite

• The most common sign that your dog is not feeling well is the absence of an appetite. Most dogs that are in tiptop health will eat ravenously and then beg for more. If your dog seems to be less than enthusiastic about eating or refuses to eat at all, it may be experiencing some sort of discomfort. Conversely, something may not be right with your dog if it is consuming too much. In certain conditions, such as diabetes and hyperthyroidism, a dog will constantly seek food.

Increase/Decrease in Water Consumption

• The next most common sign that something might be wrong with your dog is an increased desire for water. Dogs who are not feeling well will sometimes drink excessively. Conditions that can cause excessive drinking include kidney disease and diabetes. Once again, the absence of thirst may indicate a gastric problem like nausea.

Lethargy

• Lethargy is a hallmark symptom of illness in dogs. Most dogs that arent' feeling well will lay around more than normal. They may still be active, just less than enthusiastic about going out, going for a walk, or anything else that would normally elicit a exuberant response.

Weight Fluctuations

• Weight loss and weight gain are both good indicators of health in your dog. Dogs who gain or lose weight rapidly will many times have something going wrong internally. It may be something as simple as parasites, or as complicated as a thyroid or liver condition.

Diagnosis

• All of these signs and symptoms are good indicators that your dog should probably bee seen by a veterinarian for a good examination and possibly some baseline blood work, especially if the dog is older. If your dog seems off to you, he probably is. Most major organ dysfunction occurs without any outward symptoms until the disease has progressed significantly. The earlier treatment is begun, the better the prognosis for a favorable outcome.