5 Signs you should be bringing your pup to the vet!

As you know owning a dog is a huge responsibility. Not just because you have to house and feed it, exercise and groom it, but because you are solely responsible for their health and wellbeing. As delightful and rewarding it is, owning a furry companion, you should be aware of the signs and symptoms of when you need to take your dog to the vet

Many pet owners will change their vets through their life’s including their dogs because of factors they cannot control e.g. moving house. We recommend puppies should be taken to the vet at least once annually and dogs that are 8 years and older should visit the vet at least twice a year for check-ups. In some cases, though, especially when your dog is showing the following 5 signs, they should be taken to the vet immediately.

Vomiting & Diarrhoea

These are sure signs of a sick dog. Just like humans, dogs will feel nauseous and will most likely drool excessively before vomiting. As many dog owners will know, dogs may also resort to eating grass when they are nauseous, this induces it. Dogs are vulnerable to viruses, parasites, and blockage of the intestines. If vomiting persists, a vet must be consulted.

Dog owners should also watch out for the texture and condition of their pup’s stool. If it is runny, contains blood, or is of an unusual colour such as yellow, green or even orange, then this is a sign of diarrhoea and an unhealthy bowel.

If your dog is vomiting and experiencing diarrhoea simultaneously, this may be a sign that it has been exposed to something toxic, so take your dog to a vet as soon as possible – a healthy dog’s stool is usually firm and brown in colour.

Immoderate thirst

Keeping tabs on how much water your dog drinks a day is important because if it is drinking more water than usual then this may be a sign it could be developing kidney disease or even diabetes.

Not sure how to moderate your pups water consumption?

We recommend the Torus water bowl. Our bowls store up to 2L of water inside their reservoir walls, filtering the water as it automatically dispenses into the bowl for your pet to drink. Healthy dogs require ½ to 1 ounce of water per pound of body weight each day.

Depending on the size of your dog, our 1 litre and 2 litre bowls are an accurate way of monitoring your dog’s water intake because the Torus’ design ensures that there is little to no spillage.

A lack of energy

If your dog shows a lack of energy, it is another sure sign that something may be upsetting or troubling them. Fatigue reflects a lethargic dog, and this will probably result in them being indifferent to participating in any of the usual activities it would enjoy such as walking or playing fetch. If lethargy persists for 2 days, you should take your dog to see the vet.

Pale gums

Many people are under the impression that a dog’s nose is an accurate way to monitor their health, but this is not always the case. The best way is to assess your pup’s gums. Gums are usually pink in colour, so if you find that your dog’s gums are pale in colour, then there may be an issue with your furry companion’s health.

Pale gums may be a sign of anaemia. If your dog is anaemic, it can impact their health in a serious way. Specifically, their circulatory and respiratory system. Don’t muck about, take your dog to the vet straight away.

Loss of appetite

Don’t be alarmed if your dog skips a couple of meals, especially if the weather permits. It’s not uncommon for dogs to skip a meal here and there if it’s hot out, but should your pup surpass more than two days of not eating, it’s a definite red flag!

Our advice is to take them for a check-up immediately because it could be a sign of diseases such as distemper and parvovirus.

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