Ms. Chen's pet dog, Neo, is usually a lively and energetic young terrier with a big appetite. However, he has been acting strangely lately, becoming much quieter and unusually clingy. Ms. Chen was initially delighted by this change, thinking that Neo had become more mature and stable.

Unexpectedly, after a few days, Neo stopped eating altogether, even refusing to eat his favorite chicken. Ms. Chen rushed Neo to a nearby veterinary clinic, where the examination revealed that Neo was infected with Babesia, and his condition was very serious; without an emergency blood transfusion, his life would be in danger.

----------------------------

Minor illnesses don't become major illnesses; careful observation is key.

The veterinarian told Ms. Chen that the dog's refusal to eat indicated a very serious condition, and that if it had been discovered a few days earlier, the situation wouldn't be so complicated. Ms. Chen was very distressed, wishing she had noticed Neo's abnormality sooner...

"At home, cats and dogs are like babies. They can't speak to express where they feel uncomfortable. They can only rely on their owners to observe them carefully," said Yang Jingyu, former chairman of the Veterinary Association and director of Yang Animal Hospital. "Recognizing the signs of illness in pets early and seeking medical attention as soon as possible can prevent minor illnesses from developing into major ones."

Dr. Jinming Liu, director of the Small Animal Surgery Department at the National Taiwan University Animal Hospital, said that appetite, mental state, excrement, and abnormal behavior are the most important warning signs to determine whether your pet is sick. In particular, if your pet has a poor appetite or lethargy, you should take it to the vet as soon as possible.

Signal 1: Loss of appetite

Many cats and dogs experience loss of appetite when they are sick. For example, pets infected with infectious diseases such as babesiosis, or with colds and fevers, will experience a significant reduction in food intake, or even stop eating altogether.

However, a pet's loss of appetite does not necessarily mean it is sick. Liu Jinming said that sometimes changes in environment or seasonal changes can also cause pets to have a poor appetite. Especially in the hot summer, pets may lose interest in food due to changes in weather, or they may refuse to eat when their owners change their food.

So how can you tell if your pet's poor appetite is due to illness or other factors? Liu Jinming says that if your pet only has a poor appetite but is still in good spirits, you can try improving its environment. For example, if the temperature is too high, you can let your pet use a fan or air conditioning. To determine if it's a picky eater, you can try offering its favorite foods, such as chicken or beef. If the pet only eats its favorite foods and refuses its kibble, then it's a problem with picky eating.

However, if you are unsure, it is best to take your child to a nearby veterinary clinic for diagnosis to avoid delaying treatment.

Signal 2: Lethargy

Just like humans, pets can also experience weakness and fatigue when they are unwell. If your pet, who is usually lively and energetic, suddenly becomes lethargic or anxious, especially if accompanied by vomiting, diarrhea, or loss of appetite, it is very likely a sign of illness.

Signal 3: Abnormal excrement

Excretion is also an important indicator of whether a pet is sick. Pets generally excrete at the same frequency as humans, with 3 times a day to once every 3 days considered normal, ideally with formed, yellowish-brown stools. If the stool is not formed, soft, or dark black, or even contains fresh blood, you should see a veterinarian as soon as possible.

Besides feces, urine is also a very important indicator. Yang Jingyu said that generally speaking, normal urine for cats and dogs should be pale yellow, and the color will be darker in the hot summer weather; however, if it is brown, it indicates that there is blood in the urine. If the owner finds it difficult to distinguish with the eyes, they can use a tissue to absorb urine. If the tissue is pink or reddish, it means there is blood in the urine.

A pet's normal urination frequency is about 3 times a day. If the frequency is too high, it may be a symptom of poisoning; if the frequency is too low or if the pet urinates only a little bit here and there, it may be a sign of urinary tract disease.

Dog urine is easier to observe than cat urine. Cat urine often clumps in the litter box, making it harder to determine illness based on color or volume. Yang Jingyu says that urinary tract problems are actually more common in cats than dogs, so owners should pay close attention to their cat litter daily to see if there are any abnormalities compared to usual.

For example, smaller clumps in cat litter than usual indicate reduced urine output; or significantly fewer clumps suggest a much less frequent urination, which may indicate a urinary tract problem.

Signal 4: Panting

Constant panting is also a sign of illness in pets, especially if they pant even when sitting or lying still, and are accompanied by coughing and lethargy. This could be a warning sign of heartworm infection, anemia, lack of oxygen, or heart disease.

In addition, the noses of normal dogs and cats are slightly moist. Some people believe that if a dog or cat's nose is dry, it means the pet has a cold. Regarding this, Liu Jinming said that simply looking at whether a pet's nose is moist cannot be used as the sole basis for judging whether a dog or cat has a cold. Sometimes, the weather may be dry, and the nose may also be temporarily dry. Therefore, it is still necessary to observe other factors such as the pet's spirit and appetite before making a judgment.

If a pet's nose is so wet that it drips, it may have a cold or other upper respiratory tract disease; if it discharges pus, or even yellow pus, it may be a sign of tracheitis.

Signal 5: The mouth and abdomen appear pink.

In the hot summer, pets are prone to heatstroke if they don't get enough water. Yang Jingyu said that if the oral mucosa and abdomen are pink or even dark red, it's very likely that your dog has heatstroke. If your dog has heatstroke, you can first rinse it with cold water to cool it down, give it more fluids, and seek help from a veterinarian.

Signal 6: Abnormal behavior

Sometimes, cats and dogs' distress signals are subtle. Therefore, Yang Jingyu said with a smile, "Cats and dogs should not be raised like pigs. Owners cannot just feed them; they must also interact closely with their pets, such as brushing their fur and rubbing against them." This way, they can detect any unusual behavior from their pets as early as possible.

Yang Jingyu gave examples such as a pet's abnormal, persistent whimpering, or the presence of unexplained black spots or lumps on its body, which could be signs of illness. Some dogs and cats may also exhibit behaviors such as repeatedly banging their heads against walls due to neurological abnormalities.

In addition, a pet's sudden and significant weight loss should not be ignored. If a pet loses 10% of its weight within a month without any specific dieting, it could be a symptom of chronic diseases such as diabetes, and owners should pay close attention.

However, pet owners shouldn't panic if they notice the above symptoms in their beloved cats or dogs. Liu Jinming says that pet illness symptoms need to be assessed comprehensively, and the appearance of warning signs does not necessarily mean there is a problem with the pet's health; moreover, as long as it is detected and treated early, the pet can still recover.

But is it necessary to wait until your pet shows symptoms before taking them to the vet? Can't we prevent and care for them on a regular basis?

Yabi Biotech's "Pet Nutrition Series", "Good Health Series", and "Pet Health Series"!

#Lack of appetite - Good appetite stimulation

#Mental fatigue - Health and wellness diet

#Abnormal Stool - Good Gut

#Breathlessness - Good Breathing

#Skin allergies - Good skin hair

#Abnormal Behavior - Bao's Anti-inflammatory D and C

Reference link: https://www.businesstoday.com.tw/article/category/80731/post/201806110042/