Guest post: We live in a culture where pets are adored and highly regarded. For most people, a pet is not only a trusty companion but also their best friend. Pet ownership is known to enrich life and reduce stress. In fact, according to a survey conducted by the American Pet Products Association, around 90.5 million U.S families own a pet.
Naturally, you want to ensure that the animals in your home are as happy and healthy as possible. However, it can be challenging to detect if something is wrong and whether medical care is required due to their inability to talk. Luckily, there are specific tell-tale signs that your pet might need to see a vet, and we’ll look at a few in this article.
- Unusual Bathroom Habits
If your pet’s feces looks different than usual or their bathroom habits aren’t what they used to be, it’s recommended to book an appointment with the vet. Noticing a change in the consistency, color, regularity, or odor of their bowel movements can indicate a range of problems, including allergies, bacteria, inappropriate food, intestinal parasites, viruses, and organ problems.
Constipation, diarrhea, and bloody stool are also reasons to get in touch with your veterinarian as soon as possible. If you cannot procure a stool sample for tests at the clinic, take a picture to show your vet.
- Vomiting
A pet might vomit when they have an upset stomach or ingested food that doesn’t sit well, but it can also be a sign of something alarming. While a single vomiting or diarrhea episode is not a cause for concern, you should pay attention to any other symptoms occurring alongside them, such as lack of appetite and lethargy.
Continuous vomiting may be caused by pancreatitis, organ failure, a virus, or endocrine diseases and also leads to dehydration. Animals experiencing these symptoms usually require medical remedies like anti-nausea medications and fluids. In severe cases, your pet might even need surgery.
- They Show Signs of Pain
Cats and dogs are known to be highly stoic, possessing the tendency to hide their pain well. If your animal is flinching, hiding, panting, limping, and showing reluctance to move, these can be signs of discomfort and visible pain that need to be addressed quickly.
The pain can be related to anything from abdominal, dental, or spinal problems to a broken toenail, and you should take it seriously. In order to pinpoint the source of your pet’s aches and injuries, you should go to a good veterinary hospital, where you can access diagnostic tools like X-rays, blood work, and ultrasounds.
- Behavioral Changes
You’re familiar with your pet’s habits and daily routine, so if they start to act out, you know something is wrong. For example, if your cat has started to pace around the house and keeps biting you when you try to pet her, there’s probably a medical reason behind it. Contact your vet for checkups and guidance.
End note
When animals are not well, they show very subtle signals that a problem exists. This problem can be big or small and is not easily identifiable unless you consult a professional. If you’re concerned about your pet’s health and you’ve noticed them exhibiting some of the signs mentioned above. In that case, you should visit a veterinary hospital as soon as you can to provide them with the proper care they deserve.