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Recognizing Signs of Illness in Your Dog or Cat
Unfortunately, your beloved cat or dog is not able to tell
you if he feels ill. It is up to you to pay attention to and notice the often
subtle signs of illness in your animal. This, of course, is easier said than
done. Signs of illness in cats and dogs can be difficult to detect and are often
overlooked until the animal becomes severely ill.
Recognizing the warning signs of illness in your pet is easier if you are
familiar with their normal behavior. Anything unusual, even if it seems
harmless, can be a clue to your pet's condition. If you feel there may be
something wrong with your animal, do not hesitate to make an appointment with
your veterinarian for a checkup. Any persistent change in your pet's habits,
behavior, or grooming should be taken very seriously. Some signs of illness in
cats and dogs, and the possible cause of those signs, are listed below.
Drinking or Urinating More or Less Often Than
Usual:
Increased thirst in an animal can be a symptom of many things. Diabetes is one
condition that can cause this symptom, and it is also a condition that is
treatable. Kidney disease, liver disease, and adrenal gland dysfunction are
other possible causes of increased thirst.
An increase in urination can also be a sign of diabetes or kidney disease. An
increase in trips to the litter box combined with a decrease in urine output
could be a sign of a urinary tract infection. UTIs are common in cats, and need
to be treated with antibiotics.
Weight Loss or Change in Appetite:
Animals, just like humans, will lose their appetite if they become ill. Any
refusal to eat that lasts for more than a few days needs to be evaluated by a
veterinarian. Weight loss without a known cause also requires a full evaluation
by a vet. A few causes of loss of appetite or weight in animals can be serious,
and include cancer, heart disease, liver disease, kidney disease,
gastrointestinal parasites, diabetes, and disorders of the thyroid gland.
Sudden Weight Gain:
Weight gain that occurs suddenly, especially when not associated with a change
in diet, could signal the need for medical attention in an animal. Adrenal and
thyroid disorders are possible causes of weight gain in animals. Fluid build up
in the abdomen, which may give the appearance of a pot belly, could be a symptom
of liver or heart disease.
Lethargy, Fatigue, Decreased Stamina:
If your usually active pet suddenly begins sleeping more than usual or tiring
more quickly following exercise, he or she might be showing signs of an illness.
Pet owners often convince themselves that fatigue or loss of physical stamina in
their cat or dog is due to aging. The truth is, the problem is very often due to
an illness. Heart disease, anemia, cancer, kidney disease, and circulatory
problems can all cause symptoms such as lethargy and fatigue. Arthritis and
diseases of the spine and bones may also make your pet less willing to move
around, and therefore appear to be more tired than usual.
Stiffness or Difficulty Walking:
Stiffness is a sign of pain in an animal. If an animal experiences discomfort
when moving, they will hesitate or move slowly. Causes of stiffness may include
infection, cancer of the bones or joints, arthritis, disc disease, and
spondylosis.
Lumps or Sores on the Skin:
Lumps in animals should not be ignored. Some breeds of cats and dogs are more
susceptible to lumps caused by benign tumors, but cancer always needs to be
ruled out. Infection is another possible cause of skin lumps and sores in cats
and dogs, especially if the animal spends time outdoors and may have received a
wound that has become contaminated with bacteria.
Dry or Itchy Skin:
Animals can suffer from dry skin just like their human owners do. Sometimes, the
cause of the dry skin is harmless and caused by aging. Other times, the cause of
the dry or itchy skin may be caused by a bacterial or yeast infection,
parasites, or disorders of the thyroid gland. Allergies can also cause itchy
skin, and can easily be treated by your veterinarian.
Vomiting, Diarrhea, and Other Digestive Signs:
Any digestive symptom in cats and dogs that persists for more than a few days,
is severe, or is accompanied by a fever or other signs of illness should be
brought to the attention of your veterinarian. Some causes of gastrointestinal
upset in animals that require medical treatment include cancer, kidney disease,
liver disease, intestinal infection or parasites, pancreatitis, chronic
constipation, gastric ulcers, irritable bowel disease, and food allergies.
Coughing or Difficulty Breathing:
Coughing or labored breathing could be a sign of an illness, such as cancer,
heart disease, heart failure, or lung disease. It may also be a sign of an acute
infection such as pneumonia or bronchitis. Acute coughing fits may be a symptom
of an obstruction or an asthma attack and require emergency attention by a
veterinarian.
Blood in Stool or Urine:
Finding blood or mucus in your pet's stool or urine should be considered a
veterinary emergency. In addition to causes such as cancer and bladder or kidney
infections, blood in the urine or stool can be a sign of internal bleeding
caused by trauma, intussusception, or a blockage caused by a kidney stone. These
conditions require immediate attention as they can be fatal if not treated
quickly.
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