Should I Take My Dog To The Veterinarian?

Is there an apparent change in the eating habits of your dog?

Does your dog shows excessive thirst?

Do the eyes of your dog appear abnormal?

Does your dog vomits frequently?

Is there an apparent change in your dog's stool?

Is your dog lethargic?

Has your dog experienced a sudden weight loss?

Does your dog shows any emergency symptom like open wounds, seizures, collapsing, bleeding from mouth and nose, labored breathing, inability to pass urine, etc?

Skipping a meal is not unusual for a dog, especially on hot summer days or if he is in a new environment. However, any more than this could be a red flag that your dog is unwell. Two days without eating is a sign that you should contact your veterinarian. On the other hand, if your dog is unusually hungry, begging for food excessively, or attempting to eat everything this may mean a medical issue, and you should schedule an appointment with your veterinarian.

When your dog drinks more water than usual it could be normal, depending on the weather and recent exercise or activity. It could also be a possible sign of kidney disease or diabetes if the excessive thirst and drinking seem to persist for longer than a day. In that case, you should take your dog to the vet.

Red or cloudy eyes or unusual eye discharge could indicate an infection or injury. Also, if your dog is squinting or pawing at his eyes, this can be cause for concern. These symptoms should not be ignored as diseases of the eyes can progress quickly.

Most dogs experience vomiting on occasion. Like humans, our dogs vomit to rid themselves of something that doesn’t agree with their system. You should call the vet immediately if your dog is frequently vomiting or vomits blood.

Healthy dog stool is firm and moist. If your dog has dry, hard stools or difficulty defecating it may be a sign of dietary problems, dehydration, or other illness. Other changes to notice include worms, blood, or mucus present in the stool, diarrhea for more than 24 hours, or straining during a bowel movement. You should take your dog to the vet.

If your dog is more tired and sluggish than usual, it could be a sign that something is not right. Perhaps your dog is disinterested in playing or going for a walk and less responsive to commands. While it may simply be sore muscles or fatigue due to warm temperatures, you should call your veterinarian if it persists beyond two days.

Sudden weight loss in any size dog is cause for concern and a reason to take him/her to the veterinarian. Even in overweight dogs, quick and unexpected weight loss could be an indication of a serious health condition. While it may be hard to gauge, you should alert your vet if you notice a ten percent weight loss.

Rear-end scooting on the floor could be a symptom of worms, an anal gland problem, bowel movement issues, or even a urinary tract infection. If your dog suddenly starts scooting or increases this behavior, you should contact your veterinarian.

You should seek immediate medical attention from your veterinarian or an emergency vet clinic if your dog shows any emergency symptoms or if he had consumed potentially toxic matter.

It appears that your dog is healthy and you don't need to take it to the veterinarian. You should, however, take it to the vet for a regular check-up at least once every year.