Is Your Pet Sick? Spot the Signs!

For many pet owners, an animal companion could be seen as an extension of one's family, and much like any family member, having a sick pet can be a cause for concern. Since your animal companions can't verbally tell you how they're feeling, you'll have to pay attention to other signs. Understanding the subtle symptoms of a sick pet can help pet owners ensure they catch potential illnesses early, and avoid any prolonged sickness. This article will help you spot some of the more subtle symptoms associated with animal illnesses in hopes you catch and treat everything early.

Spotting the symptoms

Pets age much faster than humans, so when it comes to keeping your companion healthy, every precaution can help. Everything you do as an owner, from healthy diets to regular checkups, can help keep your pet's health in optimal shape. However, just like ailments associated with old age, not all illnesses can be prevented, but they can be spotted.

Here are a few symptoms to look out for if you notice your pets acting unusual:

• Mood swings or changes in activity - A pet's change in activity, or deviation from the norm, can be an alarm for a closer inspection. Lack of energy, indifference to previously enjoyed activities, oversleeping, onset aggressive moods, unusual activities (such as repeatedly walking in circles), and other unexplainable changes in behavior can mean your pet is not well. Low activity could signal onset arthritis, thyroid imbalances, diabetes, heart conditions, or even tumors. Odd movements, aggressive behavior, and unpredictable actions might suggest chemical, brain, and nervous-system imbalances (e.g.: brain lesions, infectious diseases, and tumors).

• Changes in diet - Similar to humans, when a pet feels ill, their bodies tend to focus on fighting the illness rather than daily activities, such as eating. Reduced eating habits can sometimes indicate dental and digestive problems, while increased eating habits could suggest diabetes and hyperthyroidism. Water intake abnormalities can also suggest an underlying issue.

• Changes in vocalization - While pets can't speak, they can make certain noises to let you know they're not feeling well. For cats, an abnormal amount of meowing (especially if the tone is deep) can hint that they're ill. Unlike cats, dogs tend to whimper. Regardless of the audible tone, a pet's increase in vocalization can point to a higher amount of stress, anxiety, discomfort, agitation, and even hypertension.

• Changes in appearance - Changes in a pet's physical appearance can also be a strong indicator that something is wrong. A loss in hair can suggest hyperthyroidism, malnutrition, allergies, and a number of other glandular diseases. Red, dry, cloudy, or weeping eyes can also suggest a multitude of health concerns. Changes in your pet's coat (hair or fur), as well as skin, can suggest a hormonal, glandular, or nutritional imbalance.

When it comes to caring for your pet, it isn't always easy staying on top of their health. While preventative care is certainly important, every pet is susceptible to aging, diseases, and infections. Therefore, it is important to understand the subtle signs your pet may be showing to know when they need proper care. Doing so could help prevent an illness from getting worse, and save you from costly animal hospital bills later on.

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