Lessons learned... ToT

On the third (3rd) memorial of my sister's dog, TINKLEBELL, grief and sadness come all over. She never had another since. With this invaluable loss, lessons are learned. However, I still carry the guilt of ignorance from that moment.

My brother's dog, SANDY (above, in Chinese New Year costume) greatly benefits from TINKLEBELL's sacrifice. The sadness then was near breakdown. Hence I would like to share these tips to minimise grief and guilt of dog parents.

Sick Dog Symptoms

As dog parents, it is important to know common sick dog symptoms such as dog fever, appetite loss, diarrhea and vomiting, and the possible causes of such signs and symptoms. This page looks at some serious signs and symptoms of a sick dog.

Healthy dogs are usually playful, active, and alert. Once in a while, your dog may seem to be dull or lethargic, and you may wonder if your dog is sick.

There are some common sick dog symptoms that can help you to determine if your dog is indeed sick, or if he is so seriously sick that immediate veterinary assistance is imperative.

Before we get to such sick dog symptoms, let's look at some vital physiological signs of a healthy dog.

Normal Body Temperature

• Adult Dog: 100°F to 102.5°F (37.7°C to 39.2°C)
• Average: 101.3°F (38.5°C)
• Young Puppy (4 weeks old): 100°F (37.3°C)
• Newborn Puppy; 94°F to 97°F (34.4°C to 36.1°C)

Click here to learn how to take a dog's body temperature.

Normal Heart Rate

• Adult Dog: 60 to 160 beats per minute (depending on the size - larger dogs have a slower heart rate than smaller dogs)
• Toy Breeds: up to 180 beats per minute
• Newborn Puppy: 160 to 200 beats per minute
• Young Puppy (2 weeks old): 220 beats per minute

Here is how you take your dog's pulse:

• Use your index and middle fingers to feel inside of your dog's hind leg just below the point where it joins the body (the femoral artery resides there).
• A pulse occurs with every heart beat. You can count how many beats you feel in 15 seconds and then multiply it by 4. That will give you the pulse.

Your dog's pulse should feel strong and fall within the normal range. Too fast, weak, or erratic indicates abnormality and should be checked out by a vet.

Normal Respiratory Rate

• Adult Dog: 10 to 30 breaths per minute
• Average: 24 breaths per minute (at rest)
• Newborn Puppy; 15 to 35 breaths per minute, up to 2 weeks of age

[Top of Page]

12 Sick Dog Symptoms to Look Out For

There are some warning signs and symptoms that can indicate a dog is very sick. If your dog displays any of the following symptoms, seek immediate veterinary attention:

• Persistent Vomiting: Persistent vomiting can result in dehydration. Vomiting can be a sign of a serious problem like poisoning, or some form of gastrointestinal problems. Also look out for bloody vomiting (which may mean stomach ulcers, stomach cancer or kidney failure). or unproductive vomiting which can be a symptom of bloat (an emergency).
• Persistent Diarrhea: Persistent diarrhea is another sick dog symptom that can lead to dehydration. It is a sign of severe infection, poisoning, bowel injury, cancer, or an intestinal disease.
• Fever: A dog with a fever can be suffering from some kind of infections, or he may have had a heat stroke which is an emergency.
• Change in Urination Habits: Sudden and significant change in the urination habits of a dog, such as frequent urination, painful urination, or urinary incontinence, can be an indication of urinary problems such as bladder or kidney infection, kidney failure, or some form of poisoning.
• Bleeding: Any form of bleeding, especially in the urine or stools, can indicate a serious illness such as blood-clot disorders, bladder stones, bladder or kidney infections. It may also indicate some form of poisoning, or internal injury.
• Appetite Change: Any sudden change in appetite or thirst is alarming, as it indicates a serious health problem, such as diabetes, Cushing's disease, kidney disease, liver disease, and others.
• Rapid Weight Loss: Weight loss can be caused by a wide range of health problems including such serious illnesses as heart failure, diabetes, or liver or intestinal problems.
• Pain: A dog in pain usually cries out or whines especially when touched. He may also suddenly become aggressive. Drooling is another indication of pain. There are a lot of reasons that can cause pain to a dog, such as trauma, cancer, periodontal problems, etc.
• Difficult Breathing: Any change in the breathing pattern (e.g. difficult breathing, panting, rapid shallow breathing) of your dog is worth investigating. Panting may be due to pain, overheating, heartworm, or heart disease. Difficult breathing may be the result of heart or lung problems, or airway obstruction by a foreign object.
• Lameness: Sudden signs of lameness or weakness may be the result of trauma, infection, or heart failure. Persistent lameness may, especially in older dogs, be the result of arthritis.
• Confusion, Staggering, or Collapse: Any of these symptoms may indicate heart or brain problems. It may also mean high blood pressure, hormonal disorders, or poisoning.
• Lethargy: Healthy dogs are active and playful. On the other hand, sick dogs are usually dull, lethargic, and do not even want to play with their favorite toys, or go for a walk. If your dog has become lethargic, it is likely that he has become sick. Watch for other symptoms to try to determine the cause. If that is not possible, and if your dog continues to be lethargic for over 2 to 3 days, consult with your vet.

As you can see, sick dog symptoms can give us an idea as to what the problem is, and how sick our dog is, so we know what we need to do.

In trying to decide what to do, one of the major considerations is age. Older dogs have weaker immunity and less reserve, and if an older dog suddenly shows some of the above sick dog symptoms, it is more of an urgent problem than a younger dog because things can deteriorate much faster in an older dog.

Another factor that determines what action to take is, how quickly and how severely our dog has become ill. If the sickness symptoms come on very quickly (within a few hours or a single day), then obviously this is more urgent and serious than if the symptoms develop over weeks or months.

An ANNUAL ultrasound, full blood test and full medical check-up will further reduce the risk of serious illnesses. 

The information provided here is intended for educational purposes ONLY. It should NOT serve as a substitute for the professional medical advice of your veterinarian. ALWAYS consult your veterinarian with questions about your pet’s health and before initiating any treatment regimes.  

Bibliography

Reference Cited

SICK DOG SYMPTOMS (2010) [Online] Dog-Illnesses-n-Symptoms.com.  Available from: http://www.dog-illnesses-n-symptoms.com/sick-dog-symptoms.html

[Accessed: 19 OCT 2010]