Early Signs Your Dog May Be Unwell, and When to See a Vet
Lethargy, loss of appetite, changes in toileting, vomiting, coughing and fever are the signs owners notice first. Here is what to watch for day to day, and which symptoms mean going to the hospital right away.
Short answer: The most common signs that a dog may be unwell are unusual lethargy, loss of appetite, changes in toileting, vomiting, coughing or laboured breathing, and fever. If the signs are severe, or continue beyond 24 to 48 hours, see a veterinarian.
Dogs cannot tell us in words how they feel. What an owner can see best are changes in behaviour and in the body. Here are the signs worth paying close attention to.
1. Lethargy
When a pet is unwell or uncomfortable, we can usually see the change. A dog who is normally cheerful, who invites us to play, runs and jumps, one day is simply not the same. Instead the dog hides away, sleeps more, moves less briskly, and responds less to things such as being called by name. How obvious this is depends on how serious the underlying condition is, and it can also be influenced by the pet growing older.
2. Loss of appetite or eating less
Food that used to be finished to the last bite, or a treat that used to be waited for and eaten whole, and then one day the dog only sniffs it and walks away, or refuses it altogether. This can point to illness, stress or physical discomfort. It does need to be separated from other explanations such as hot weather or being in heat. Over time it can also lead to weight loss.
3. Changes in toileting
If you notice something different in the place where your pet usually toilets, in either faeces or urine, whether in colour, consistency, smell or frequency, or even a change in posture or a longer time spent trying, it should not be ignored. It is worth having a veterinarian make a diagnosis promptly, to reduce the chance of the condition becoming more serious.
4. Vomiting
Sometimes it is easy to confuse regurgitation with true vomiting. What comes up, how often it happens, whether it is related to eating, and whether your pet tends to bite, chew or swallow foreign objects, are all important pieces of information for a diagnosis when you bring your pet in to see the veterinarian.
5. Coughing or abnormal breathing
Panting or rapid breathing (other than after exercise, heat or excitement), a dry cough, a cough that looks like an attempt to clear phlegm, using the abdomen to breathe, jerky breathing, breathing with the mouth open and the neck extended, or a bluish purple tinge to the gums and tongue. If you see any of these, take your dog to a veterinarian as soon as possible for a diagnosis. The cause may lie in the respiratory system, or even in the heart.
6. Fever
While spending time with your pet you may touch parts of the body, such as the inside of the ear, and find it warmer or hotter than usual, or the same on the abdomen (which can vary with the surrounding environment). The best and most accurate method is a thermometer inserted rectally. A reading above the normal body temperature (dogs: above 39.5 degrees Celsius, cats: 40 degrees Celsius) indicates that something is wrong. One caveat: if your pet has been running or active in the sun, let them rest before taking the temperature.
When to come to the hospital immediately
If your dog is unconscious, having seizures, unresponsive to being called, breathing with severe difficulty and rapidly, has blue or pale mucous membranes, has vomited or had diarrhoea more than 3 times in a short period, or even passed blood, or has been unable to urinate for more than 12 hours, come in for emergency care at once without waiting.
I recommend that owners observe their dog every day, because small changes caught early usually make care far easier. If you are not sure how serious what you are seeing is, our veterinary team at Hug & Heal is here to advise.
Frequently asked questions
Q: My dog has only been lethargic for a few hours. Do I need to go to the vet straight away?
A: If the lethargy comes with other signs, such as not eating or vomiting, watch closely and come in if there is no improvement within 24 hours. If the signs are getting worse by the hour, see a veterinarian as soon as possible.
Q: What counts as an emergency for a dog?
A: Unconsciousness, seizures, no response to being called, severe and rapid difficulty breathing, blue or pale mucous membranes, vomiting or diarrhoea more than 3 times in a short period, passing blood, or being unable to urinate for more than 12 hours. All of these are emergencies and mean coming to the hospital immediately.