Dog Health Symptoms
Your faithful dog is just like you -- subject to occasional health issues and problems that need to be taken care of. Unfortunately, your canine can't always tell you exactly what the problem is. The good news is that the overwhelming majority of health problems that your dog will encounter can be successfully treated by a veterinarian, through some combination of medication, therapy, surgery, or some other medical treatment.
A healthy and happy dog should exhibit most or all of these characteristics: a coat that is full and shiny; dry nose, good appetite, high energy, and good personality; a good, steady weight according to the standards of the breed; and clear, bright eyes.
Basically, you should take your dog in to your vet for a thorough annual checkup. That way, many potentially serious medical conditions can be caught and treated before they get too serious. At home, you should contact your vet if your dog begins showing any number of unusual symptoms or behavior. These can include: a lack of energy; loss of appetite; weight loss; difficulty with urination or defecation; itchy, flaky skin that your dog won't stop scratching at; a runny discharge from the nose or the eyes; or a high fever (above 102 degrees Fahrenheit).
If your dog stays in a kennel with other dogs for any length of time, he or she may catch Kennel Cough. This is a very common malady and is not especially serious in most cases, although it does depress your dog's immune system and makes it more vulnerable to other conditions while it lasts. Kennel Cough is characterized by a fever, a lack of energy and appetite, and a harsh, dry, persistent cough.
If you observe any of the following symptoms, emergency treatment is called for, and you should get your dog to the nearest animal hospital immediately. These include a quick swelling or bloating of the abdomen, which can be fatal (this mostly happens with larger breeds); a seizure; bloody diarrhea; problems with breathing; bleeding that won't stop; and vomiting blood.
These are all extreme problems and need to be dealt with as quickly as possible. Fortunately, the chances are small that any of these will occur with your dog, but it's better to be informed and prepared for possible medical emergencies -- it could make the difference between life and death for your faithful canine companion.
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