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Traveling with a pet, especially for the first time, is a daunting and stressful task — for both you as well as your furry companion. (That’s why we typically suggest only traveling with your pet when necessary.)
Of course, some animals don’t mind the jet-set life and make great travel buddies. Just like humans, each pet is a unique individual that adapts to the world differently. Whether it’s your pet’s first flight or they’re a seasoned, four-legged world traveler, these tips will help guarantee you and your furry friend have a seamless journey.
Not every hero wears a mask. Some have wagging tails and are coated in fur. Military K9 Kuno went beyond and beyond the call of duty, putting his own life on the line to save the lives of soldiers. With a brace and a prosthetic leg, the 4-year-old Belgian Malinois is now retired, but he has never felt more alive.
Kuno went beyond and beyond the call of duty, and his efforts were not ignored. Kuno has been awarded the Dickin Medal, the highest decoration in the British military, after surviving lengthy medical procedures. For his hard work and commitment, he deserves it more than anyone else.
I recently heard a story of where a family and their pets died from carbon monoxide poisoning, which has prompted me to write this story. As you go about your daily life, have you ever thought what would happened if a fire broke out in your home or apartment while you were away? And your beloved pet is home alone. While I am sure most of you reading this have protection for your family and pets…there are some that don’t. Not everyone can afford or choose to have the paid emergency system linked to the fire department. However, you can install the wireless smoke/carbon monoxide detectors. Did you know that some fire departments will come to you home and install them for free? You can call your local fire department to see if they offer this free service. The advantage of having a smoke/carbon monoxide detector is that maybe a neighbor,or someone passing by will hear it when it goes off, and can get help to your home or apartment. There are all types of smoke/carbon monoxide detectors, in several price ranges. May I suggest the Pet Emergency Stickers for your doors in the event of an emergency at your home or apartment while you are away, this will notify emergency responders of any pets that you have inside. This will prompt them to look for your pet and know what type of animal they are looking for. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says, Carbon monoxide, or CO, is an odorless, colorless gas that can cause sudden illness and death. Remember to change the batteries in your alarms!
There are countless reasons your dog may not like being rushed by an off-leash dog when he’s on-leash. And senior dogs, those recovering from injuries, and shy pups or fearful dogs may find the attention of off-leash dogs upsetting or overwhelming. Even friendly dogs may not appreciate interacting with another dog in such a socially unequal situation. Leashes can cause a lot of issues. When you encounter an off-leash dog, keep these things in mind: Know that it is always okay to protect your dog: Most urban and suburban environments have leash laws, and if your dog is on a leash you are right in keeping your dog safe. You are also completely within your rights to report off-leash dogs to your local authorities. Evaluate the situation to see if the owner is nearby: If he is, tell him to call his dog. Many people will respond by telling you that their dog is “friendly,” but regardless of their dog’s behavior, if their dog is not under their control and is upsetting you or your dog, it is a problem. Remember, you can choose whether to let that dog meet your dog. So, how can you stop a dog that’s charging you? There are several different strategies: 1. Give the loose dog something better to do Dogs who seem happy and bubbly are often easily stopped by asking them to “sit.” If the dog complies, you can toss a handful of treats to him and make your escape while he’s vacuuming them up. Even if he doesn’t listen, toss a handful of treats towards his face (with the intent to startle, not hurt). When he stops to see what hit him, he’ll realize that there’s food on the ground and devote his attention to eating instead of rushing your dog. This method has worked really well for a few overly exuberant dogs. It doesn’t stop them from approaching in the future, but it’s the kindest way to give your dog space without the potential fallout that more forceful methods may cause. 2. If that doesn't work, try to startle the loose dog Step in between your dog and the oncoming dog and use a body block. Square your shoulders and hips, and hold your hand out like a cop stopping traffic while saying “no,” “stop,” or “stay” in a firm, low voice. Alternatively, you could carry an umbrella and open it in the direction of the rushing dog, which will both startle him and provide a physical and visual barrier. 3. Use a spray product if he comes close Spray Shield is a citronella product manufactured by Premier/PetSafe. It is aversive to most dogs without actually harming them, and can be sprayed directly at an oncoming dog. Some people have also reported success using compressed air in the same way. Spray Shield has the added benefit of working to stop some dog fights, so if things do get out of hand you have a safer way to break up a fight than trying to forcibly remove one of the combatants. 4. Don’t use pepper spray Not only can pain make some dogs more aggressive, but if the wind gusts the wrong way the spray could end up getting into your or your dog’s face and eyes, leaving you incapacitated with an unknown dog rushing you. Not a good situation to be in! Running away is also generally not advised, as it will just encourage most dogs to chase you. Picking your dog up is usually not a good idea, although in some situations you may decide it’s a calculated risk you’re willing to take. Doing so may put you at greater risk and can intensify the off-leash dog’s interest in your pup. 5. But if you must pick up your dog ... While cases of truly aggressive dogs intent on bodily harm are rare, they do happen. If your small dog is rushed by an aggressive off-leash dog, you may be able to pick him up and toss him somewhere safer, such as in a nearby garbage can, inside a fenced yard, in the bed of a truck, or on the roof of a car. You can also take advantage of some of these safety options. If you have a bigger dog or if no other options are available, you may need to assess whether your dog would be safer if you dropped the leash so that he can try to get away from the other dog or defend himself. 6. Protect yourself If the loose dog redirects on you (which is rare, but does happen), protect your head and neck. Spray Shield will stop all but the most aggressive dogs, and generally these dogs are only stopped by physically separating them from their victim. While no single method will work in every case, the more tools you have in your toolbox, the better able you’ll be to protect your dog. Remember that it is always okay to stand up for your dog.
While heartworm disease is certainly a serious health risk, the good news is that it is also one of the most easily prevented conditions. Monthly heartworm preventives come in convenient oral forms (such as Heartgard Plus or Sentinel) or easily-applied topical applications (such as Revolution).
It is recommend using a heartworm preventive every month year-round. In the long run, maintaining your dog’s heartworm protection is money well spent.
The fact is, heartworm infection is still an extremely serious health concern for your dog, and the risk of it is widespread.
The American Heartworm Society notes that adult heartworm disease has been reported in dogs in all 50 states. Adult heartworm disease can cause severe damage to the heart, lungs and other organs, and can eventually lead to death. While it is true that there is a treatment for adult heartworm disease, the treatment can be costly, requires hospitalization, and is not without the risk of side effects.
The Heartworm Life Cycle depends on the mosquito. When the insect bites an infected dog, it takes in tiny
heartworm larvae (microfilariae) that have been circulating in the animal’s bloodstream. Once inside the mosquito, the microfilariae mature into infective larvae, eventually migrating to the mosquito’s mouthparts, to be transmitted when the insect bites another animal.
In the new host, the larvae continue to develop, eventually migrating through the bloodstream to the lungs, heart and associated vessels, where they cause inflammation and obstruct blood flow. As the larvae become adult worms, they mate and produce more microfilariae, continuing the cycle. The heartworm life cycle, from larva to adult worm, generally takes about 6 months.
If a dog develops heartworm infection, the drug Immiticide (melarsomine hydrochloride) is the only one that is approved by the FDA for the treatment of adult heartworm disease in dogs. Immiticide is given by deep injection into the muscles of the back, usually in two or three doses over the course of about a month.
As the drug works, dead and dying worms in the heart and lungs can cause an inflammatory reaction in the body. While Immiticide is better tolerated by the body than the previously used drug Caparsolate, the dog must still remain hospitalized during treatment to be observed for the development of possible side effects.
After treatment the dog's activity level must be quite limited to reduce the chance of pulmonary thromboembolism (obstruction of blood flow in the arteries of the lungs, caused by dead heartworms), which can lead to death.
Dogs should be confined to a crate and leash walked outside to eliminate only. Heartworm positive dogs must be exercise restricted from the time of diagnosis until four weeks after the final Immiticide injection.
Follow-up diagnostic testing may be needed after treatment, also. Although treatment will kill the adult heartworms, it cannot repair any damage that they may have done prior to treatment.
This TikToker shared the beautiful moment his dog realized his wife was pregnant, and it’s so moving!
Ryan (@maxpotentialdogtraining) is a dog trainer, dog lover, and dad who shares sweet videos of his family on TikTok. When Ryan’s wife Stephanie was pregnant, he shared an incredibly heartwarming video of the moment his dog, Nova, realized Stephanie was expecting.
The emotional video begins with Stephanie sitting on a couch with one dog curled up beside her and her other dog, Nova, standing on her lap. Ryan films as Nova presses her head into Stephanie’s forehead. Stephanie smiles as Nova stares at her.
So you've decided to get a puppy? If you are thinking about getting one from a pet store or on-line, please be careful. That cute puppy most likely came from a puppy mill.
Definition of a puppy mill:
A puppy mill, sometimes known as a puppy farm, is a commercial dog breeding facility that is operated with an emphasis upon profits above animal welfare and is often in substandard conditions regarding the well-being of dogs in their care. Similar types of operations exist for other animals most commonly kept as pets or used as feed for other animals. The term can be applied to operations involving other animals commercially bred for profit, e.g. "kitty mills." There are an estimated 4,000 puppy mills in the U.S. that produce more than half a million puppies a year. Commercial kennels may be licensed by the United States Department of Agriculture which may inspect the kennels routinely.
Please take a look at the video below:
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Please share, and remember "Adoption is an Option!"
Can dogs have arthritis?…yes they can. They can develop it just as we humans do. When I noticed my shih-tzu, Domino starting to limp, I took him to the Vet. He diagnosed him with arthritis and prescribed medication, and also suggested that I get him an orthopedic bed specially made for dogs with arthritis. The bed did not look like a bed at all…it looked more like a piece of foam. When I put him on it, he immediately jumped off. Later that day I saw him checking it out, sniffing and put a paw up on it. I placed it next to his bed upstairs and left it there. He continued to sleep in his regular bed. I awakened one morning to find him asleep in the new bed.
Domino had two beds, one downstairs and one upstairs…he was spoiled. I put it next to the bed upstairs. I started to notice when I was downstairs he would go upstairs. This was unusual because he always stayed downstairs with me. I could not figure out what was so interesting upstairs all of sudden to him. Not thinking about the bed, I decided to go see what he was doing. I would find him sitting or lying down on the bed. I don’t know if these beds really work since I had no way of asking him if it felt better. I just assumed that it was comfortable for him. I finally moved it downstairs and he continued to sleep on it. Have you noticed your dog having any of the following symptoms?
Reluctance to jump, run or climb stairs
Seeming to have stiff or sore joints
Favoring a limb
Difficulty sitting or standing
Sleeping more than usual
A personality change that involves resisting touch
Weight gain
Decreased activity or less interest in play
Barking or whimpering when touched
Seeming less alert
What Is Arthritis? Canine arthritis, also known as osteoarthritis or degenerative joint disease, is characterized by pain and inflammation in a dog’s joints. Arthritis is caused by the breaking down of smooth cartilage that covers and protects the bones that form a joint. Once the bones are exposed, painful wear and tear can occur. Treatment for canine arthritis begins with prevention, as keeping a dog at a healthy weight and providing appropriate exercise is important for long-term health. If you notice any of the above symptoms in your dog, please take them to your Vet for a checkup!
Heat stroke is a term commonly used for hyperthermia or elevated body temperature. Generally speaking, if a pet's body temperature exceeds 103°F (39.4°C), it is considered abnormal or hyperthermic. Body temperatures above 106°F (41°F) without previous signs of illness are most commonly associated with exposure to excessive external or environmental heat and are often referred to as heat stroke. The critical temperature where multiple organ failure and impending death occurs is around 107°F to 109°F (41.2°C to 42.7°C).
How do I know if my pet has heat stroke?
Dogs suffering from heatstroke can have elevated breathing rates, dry or sticky gums, abnormal gum color, bruising in the gums, may appear lethargic or disoriented, and can have seizures.
Bringing a new puppy into your home will change your life forever. Puppies are definitely a lot of work, but they also bring plenty of joy to your world. Whether you are getting your first puppy or just need a refresher course, here's what you'll need to know to get your puppy on the right track to adulthood.
Choosing the Right Puppy
If the time is right for getting a puppy, you will now have to choose the best match. Perhaps your future companion will find you. A puppy can come into your life by chance and you can feel an instant connection and know it is the right one, but it doesn't always happen like that. Often, you must take on the important task of going out and finding the right kind of puppy for you.
While most of us dispose of old car parts and unused cutlery at the dump, Aloha, Oregon-based artist Brian Mock turns scrap metal into fantastic outdoor sculptures. He collects use and discarded materials—such as screws, nuts, and bolts—and assembles them into human and animal forms.
Mock has been exploring a number of artistic practices from an early age, but discovered his love of upcycling art in the 1990s. He taught himself how to weld, allowing him to visualize his artistic ideas as metal sculptures. Today, he’s creating an entire zoo of metallic animals—including dogs, cats, and larger-than-life lions—all from 100% reclaimed materials. Mock chooses each piece of scrap metal carefully to fit the forms of his subjects—dog tails are depicted as flexible metal chains, and floppy ears are crafted from large sheets of curved steel.
Adorable puppies are programmed to win people’s hearts at first glance but in this specific case of unbelievable cuteness, it is nearly impossible to resist going “awwww.” Meet an unreasonably cute doe-eyed cocker spaniel from the UK called Winnie. She has been flooding social media and news feeds around the globe for the past week, and we are not even mad about it. Who would mind a little bit of pup-therapy to brighten up their day?
Imagine how you would feel if your dog ran into a busy street, ignoring your calls because he or she didn’t understand what you were trying to communicate?
Obedience training needs to be about safety, rather than tricks. Here are 5 must-know obedience commands that you should start practicing now.
We can all imagine what we’d spend our money on if we were a millionaire: cars, a nice house, etc. But one millionaire decided to be incredibly selfless, using his fortune to save the lives of thousands of dogs instead.
Wang Yan became a millionaire running a steel business in the city of Changchun, China. But all the money in the world couldn’t replace his beloved dog, who suddenly went missing years ago.
After searching everywhere for the dog, someone suggested a grim last place to check: the slaughterhouse.
The city has a large stray dog population, and many of these dogs have been captured, butchered and sold in the cruel dog meat trade.
Sadly, Wang Yan did not find his own dog in this horrible place… but what he saw there changed his life.
He knew he had to do something—and found a miraculous way to help the dogs: he bought the slaughterhouse… and converted it into a dog sanctuary!
According to Metro, he has spent a huge amount of his fortune on the project. He bought the slaughterhouse for $400,000, and funds the shelter out of his own pocket… even if it means going into debt.
“I don’t accept monetary donations, I only hope that kind-hearted people will be able to donate a few supplies to help,” Yan told Metro.
But his sacrifices have seen incredible results: as of 2015, Yan took in 2,000 dogs from the city area and helped 200 get adopted.
It’s always nice to see anyone go out of their way to help dogs, but for this man to spend so much of his own fortune to save these dogs’ lives is truly incredible. Share this inspiring story!
A Nashville dog named Lulu is a newly minted millionaire. Yep, you read that right.
Her owner's last will and testament has made the 8-year-old border collie one wildly pampered pooch.
"She's a good girl," Martha Burton, Lulu's now caretaker, told CNN affiliate WTVF.
Lulu has been under the watchful eye of Burton, 88, for years already. Burton says she's kept Lulu during the frequent travels of the dog's owner. "Well, he always left the dog for me to take care of," said Burton.
Lulu's owner, 83-year-old Bill Dorris, was Burton's friend and an unmarried, successful businessman. He died late last year and left $5 million for the care of his beloved pet. "I don't really know what to think about it to tell you the truth. He just really loved the dog," Burton said.
The will specifies: "This trust is to provide for all the needs of Lulu. The dog will remain in possession of Martha Burton."
According to WTVF, the estate is currently in probate and it's not yet clear how much it's worth. The will does state, however, that Burton will simply be reimbursed for reasonable monthly expenses to care for Lulu.
It's not clear what will happen to any money left in the trust when 8-year-old Lulu someday passes away.
Burton knows there's no way she could ever spend $5 million on the canine. Not even a lifetime supply of treats and toys for Lulu could make a dent in the incredible inheritance.
She said with a smile, "Well, I'd like to try."
Lulu's late owner Dorris had a piece of property along Interstate 65 that is the site of a controversial statue of Nathan Bedford Forrest. Forrest was a Confederate general and an early leader of the Ku Klux Klan.
The statue of Forrest is widely visible from I-65. According to CNN affiliate WZTV, the contentious statue has been vandalized several times over the years. Pink paint was thrown on it in 2017 and the word "monster" was painted on the figure in October of last year. Dorris never had any of it cleaned off.
The Tennessee Department of Transportation has denied previous requests to block the view of the statue. The future of that statue will also be determined in probate court.
Lulu and her now caretaker Martha Burton.
Lulu plays watchdog outside of her Nashville home.
Statue of Confederate General and leader of the Ku Klux Klan, Nathan Bedford Forrest, on the property of the late Bill Dorris.
Here at the shelter we are very versed in handling pets that have been the victims of abuse and neglect. Through the years we’ve seen animals that have suffered everything from cruel abandonment to outright torture.
At this moment, we are dealing with some dogs that are victims of a different sort. They are the pets of people whose lives have been snuffed out or horribly altered by violence. A drive by shooting, a murder/suicide, a domestic altercation resulting in serious injury; all leaving innocent pets homeless in their wake. It’s rather scary. It feels as though we are a facility located in some big city where these things occur with deeply disturbing regularity.
There are many problems that can affect a dog’s lower urinary system. Incontinence, bladder stones or crystals in the urine, bacterial infections, cancer, trauma or even obstruction of the urethra, the tube that allows urine to pass from the bladder to the outside of the body, can occur. What Causes Lower Urinary Tract Problems in Dogs?
Stones, crystals or debris accumulation in the bladder or urethra
Bladder inflammation or infection
Incontinence from excessive water drinking or weak bladder/hormonal issue
Trauma
Cancer
Stress
Spinal cord abnormalities
Congenital abnormality
Prostate disease
What Health Conditions Might Lead to Lower Urinary Tract Problems? The most common lower urinary tract disease in dogs over seven years of age is incontinence related to a weak urinary sphincter muscle, allowing urine to “leak” out. Bacterial infections are also common. Endocrine diseases such as adrenal disease and diabetes mellitus can predispose dogs to bacterial infection of the lower urinary tract. Which Dogs Are Prone to Lower Urinary Tract Problems? Older female dogs and dogs with diabetes are especially prone to urinary tract problems. There are different types of bladder stones that have a tendency to form under different conditions-some in older dogs, some in either males or females, and some in specific breeds under certain circumstances. How Can I Tell if My Dog Has Urniary Tract Problems? The following signs may indicate that your dog is having trouble with his urinary tract:
Inability to urinate or only passing a small amount of urine
Bloody or cloudy urine
Fever
Loss of bladder control, dribbling urine
Increased amount and/or frequency of urination
Straining and/or crying out in pain when trying to pass urine
Soiling in inappropriate places
Constant licking of urinary opening
Strong odor to the urine
Lethargy
Vomiting
Changes in appetite
Weight loss
Severe back pain
Increased water consumption
How Are Lower Urinary Tract Problems Diagnosed? A veterinary visit for lower urinary tract issues will start with a physical examination and usually will include examination of the kidneys and bladder, a urinalysis and possibly urine culture, blood work, radiographs or ultrasound. How Are Lower Urinary Tract Problems Treated? Because canine urinary problems are so varied and potentially serious in nature, your first step is to get immediate veterinary care for your pet. Depending on your dog’s diagnosis, one of the following may be recommended:
Antibiotics
Medications or supplements
Dietary changes
Increase in water intake
Urinary acidifiers or alkalinizers
Intravenous or subcutaneous fluid therapy
Surgery or other procedures to remove bladder stones or tumor
Surgery to correct congenital abnormality
Treatment of underlying condition that is contributing to urinary problem (e.g. diabetes mellitus)
What Can Happen If a Dog’s Lower Urinary Tract Problems Go Untreated? Untreated lower urinary problems can lead to serious medical problems in addition to causing discomfort for your pet. Bladder infections can move to the kidneys and cause life-threatening infections. Stones can cause partial or complete obstruction of the urethra, preventing a dog from urinating. This medical emergency can lead to kidney failure and/or rupture of the bladder, and can prove fatal if the obstruction is not relieved right away. What Should I Do If I Think My Dog Has Lower Urinary Tract Problems? Please see your veterinarian for immediate medical attention, especially if your dog is straining to urinate or crying out in pain. This could be a medical emergency!
Source: WebMD Veterinary Reference from ASPCA Virtual Pet Behaviorist
Seeing our pets in pain is never a fun experience, and it’s something every dog owner dreads. Whether it’s a fresh injury or simply our aging elder-pups, we want nothing more than to help them. But it’s important to remember that they can’t always cry out to us when in need. Dogs aren’t humans, so they don’t speak our language. The best thing we can do to keep them comfortable is to learn theirs. Dogs display their pain in certain actions and behaviors that may seem subtle to us. Not everyone is a canine behavioral expert, but these five symptoms below will help you determine whether or not your loved one is in pain. Excessive Grooming It’s normal for dogs to lick and groom themselves, but it’s not normal for this to become an obsessive behavior. If you notice your pet tending to a localized area he’s never noticed before, or has just recently started spending a lot more time there, it could be a sign that he’s hurting. Pets will often groom places that are sources of pain in hopes to clean and care for the wound, even if there is no open wound present. Be sure to keep an eye on the area and inspect it gently. Heavy Panting Panting is normal behavior that shouldn’t surprise any dog owner. Even when the panting is heavily, certain circumstances allow for it such as extra hot days and strenuous exercise. But if you notice heavy panting out of nowhere, it could be stress-induced. This stress could be caused by pain your pet is experiencing. For whatever reason it may be, unexplained heavy panting should result in a trip to your veterinarian. Inappetence Lack of appetite is often the result of some sort of discomfort. You don’t feel like eating when you’re not well, do you? Our dogs don’t either. They simply just don’t feel like eating, especially when it’s painful to walk all the way over to the food bowl. If you notice any sort of inappetence in your pet, it’s important to seek veterinary attention right away, as this could be a symptom of many dangerous ailments.
Shyness & Aggression You may notice that your dog is starting to become more and more antisocial. He may stop running to the door to greet everyone and avoids petting. Or you may notice that your little one doesn’t want you picking her up anymore, or cries when you do. If this happens suddenly, it’s reasonable to suspect pain as a probable cause. In some cases, you’ll find your normally overly friendly companion has become aggressive. If you notice your pup is hiding away and avoiding attention, be sure to check them for pain. It’s best to have a veterinarian do this, and it’s very important to remember not to take it personally if your dog does growl or snap at you. They aren’t necessarily trying to hurt anyone, they just have no other way to tell anybody it hurts and they don’t want to be touched. General Behavior Changes Besides shyness and aggression, you might notice that your pup doesn’t want to walk up stairs anymore, avoids jumping and climbing, or doesn’t want to chase after his beloved tennis ball. There are the obvious signs such as limping, but it’s important to also watch out for stiffness or arched backs. Dogs in pain often lay only flat on their sides, rather than curled up in their beds. They might be slower moving, sleeping a lot more and seemingly disinterested in things they used to love. Another sign is unexplained accidents in the house. It’s often very painful to get up from lying down (which you also might notice), and sometimes pets just aren’t able to make it outside fast enough. Sometimes the squatting to urinate and defecate is avoided, and you’ll notice that your pet will start leaving messes in her bed. All of these things can be attributed to pain – often in our older dogs, but sometimes in our younger ones as well.
If your pet has one or more of these symptoms, he needs veterinary attention right away.
Cat/Kitten
Abdominal pain. Your cat is pawing at his stomach, he's crouched instead of sitting in a relaxed manner, or he refuses to let his stomach be touched. He could be suffering from a urinary tract infection, organ disease, a blockage of his digestive tract, or internal bleeding.
Bleeding. If your kitten is bleeding from his eyes or ears, or if the blood is spurting or pulsing, bandage it and call your vet while you're packing your cat in the car.
Blindness that comes on suddenly. If your cat is bumping into things or is afraid to walk because she can't see, he could be suffering from a detached retina or glaucoma.
Difficulty breathing. If your cat is wheezing or experiencing labored breathing, she could be having an asthma attack, heart problems, or anaphylactic shock (life-threatening allergic reaction). Get to the vet right away.
Difficulty urinating. If your cat is running back and forth to the litterbox and producing little or no urine, if he's crying in pain while trying to urinate, or if he's frantically licking his genitals after an attempt at urinating, call the vet now. Especially in male cats, these can be signs of a potentially fatal urinary blockage.
Lameness or inability to put weight on limbs. Cats instinctively hide their pain, so if your kitten is hurting enough to visibly favor a leg, that means it's serious. He could have a fracture, infection, deep penetrating wound, or heart problems.
Seizures. If your cat is having convulsions, spasms, twitching, or acting disoriented, he may be having a seizure or he may have been poisoned.
Staggering. This could be a sign of a middle-ear infection, neurological disorder, or poisoning.
Vomiting more than once within an hour, especially if the vomit is bloody. Your cat could have swallowed a foreign object or she could be suffering from liver or kidney disease. Intestinal disturbances and poisoning also cause frequent vomiting.
If you think about it, this is really simple common sense. It all boils down to this question: If you were experiencing these symptoms, would you go to the emergency room or call the doctor? If so, seek the same level of treatment for your cat.
Dog/Puppy
It may not always be easy to tell when your dog is ill. Hiding illness is a dog's survival.
Changes in eating patterns
Dogs may occasionally experience a minor virus or digestive problem that will cause a day or two of waning appetite. A change in eating habits could otherwise be a sign of a serious problem.
If the following behaviors persist or change dramatically in a short period of time, contact your veterinarian.
Eating far less than usual, or seeming uninterested in eating altogether
Exhibiting finicky eating habits when she normally eats heartily
Suddenly demonstrating an insatiable appetite
Vomiting after eating
Changes in energy levels
Just like their human pals, dogs’ energy levels increase or decrease daily depending on factors such as weather or activity. Contact your vet if your dog displays these characteristics over a period of several days:
Sleeping more than usual
Acting lethargic
Seeming indifferent to activities he’d normally enjoy, such as fetching a ball or going for a walk
Acting restlessly or paces
Other physical and behavioral symptoms
There are too many possible physical and behavioral indications to list, but there are telltale signs of sickness in your canine:
Watery or sunken eyes
Tripping or loss of balance
Urinating in the house or other place where she’d normally not
Rapid weight loss or gain
Ear discharge or odor
Frequent and irregular bowel movements (diarrhea)
Lack of bowel movements
Panting throughout the day, especially when trying to go to sleep
Coughing
Drinking water excessively
Mood changes
A dog who is usually very outgoing but suddenly begins loafing in a corner of the house may be feeling down and out. Likewise, a dog who is normally friendly and gentle with children may show aggression when illness strikes.
If you suspect your pet is sick, call your veterinarian for an appointment. And remember: you know your pet better than anyone. If none of the above symptoms apply to your pet but your instincts tell you something isn’t right, have him checked out anyway. The resulting peace of mind will make everyone feel better!
