No matter how well you know your dog, he can’t tell you how he feels, so you may not notice right away when he’s ill. However, if you’re familiar with his usual behaviour and appearance, you’ll be more aware when changes occur that may warrant veterinary help.

A trip to the veterinarian is in order if you observe the following symptoms:

• Loss of appetite for several consecutive days
• Lameness
• Blood in the urine
• A hair coat with harsh feel or dull texture
• Mucus or blood in the stool
• Foul-smelling stools
• Repeated vomiting over several days
• A potbelly or marked loss of weight
• A “bloated” or distended belly that’s firm to the touch
• Lack of interest in the doings around him
• Hiding in dark places
• Persistent coughing; discharge from the eyes or nose
• Scratching or chewing at feet, skin, or hair coat
• Shaking head, scratching ears
• Yellowing of the white around the eye; yellow gums
• Dehydration

Dehydration

Dehydration can be a serious, life-threatening illness for dogs. To test for dehydration, pick up a fold of skin on his middle back area, then release it. Normally, the skin will snap back. If it instead falls back slowly or remains up, this means your dog is dehydrated and you should call your veterinarian immediately. Among the causes of extreme water loss are diarrhoea, vomiting, and excessive urination associated with diabetes, heart, and renal disease.

Administering Medication

Giving your dog a pill can be as easy as hiding it in a bit of food. Liquid medicine can also be disguised in applesauce or other mushy foods—but first try offering it directly, as most dogs will lick medication right off the spoon!

Emergency First Aid Tips

Unless you have been trained to administer CPR to your dog, it’s safer to seek immediate veterinary care. However, there are some things you can do to help your dog before you get him to the hospital or clinic:

• Wrap your dog in a heavy towel or blanket to keep him warm and restrict his movements.
• Apply a pressure bandage to stem or stop the bleeding of a cut or bite.
• Apply cold compress to a burn and gently hold it there until you get to the veterinary clinic.
• Do not induce vomiting if you know or suspect your dog has swallowed a poisonous substance.
• Even when signs of choking are clear (drooling, difficulty swallowing, pawing at the mouth, gagging), do not attempt to remove the item.
• If your dog suffers heatstroke, take him to a cool spot and sponge him down with cold water. Encourage him to re-hydrate by drinking water in small amounts.
• If your dog suffers frostbite, swiftly place him in a warm room. Slowly thaw out the frostbitten areas by applying warm, moist towels until you reach the veterinarian.

Keep a record of your pet’s medical history—vaccinations, illnesses, injuries, surgeries, and medications. It will be helpful should an emergency situation arise and your regular veterinarian is not available.

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