Being a pet owner can be a beautiful, rewarding, and often hilarious journey. However, there’s a lot of responsibility involved. When you adopt a pet, you’re taking control of all aspects of their lives. A big part of that is staying alert for changes and warning flags that could be indicative of illness. Pets can’t tell us if they don’t feel well, so it’s up to you to watch for clues. A local Ashland WI vet lists a few of the warning signs in this article.

What Are The Major Red Flags That A Pet Needs Veterinary Care?

Your furry bestie can’t make an appointment for themselves, or call a doctor. It’s important to keep an eye out for signs that there is something amiss. 

Without further adieu, here are some of the big ones:

Lack Of Appetite

Anytime an animal doesn’t want to eat, it’s always a concern. There are a few exceptions, such as a reptile that’s about to shed, but for the most part, healthy animals have healthy appetites.  (Actually, that’s a bit of an understatement: many of our patients will eat anything within paws’ reach.) While it’s true that cats can be finicky, a picky kitty will likely meow to demand something different. A kitty that just isn’t interested in food at all may be sick.

Increased Thirst

It’s perfectly normal for Fido and Fluffy to want to drink a bit more than normal when it’s hot out, or if they’ve just been running or playing hard. However, if your pet always seems thirsty, there may be something more going on.

Restlessness

With this one, we want to make sure to differentiate between restlessness and zoomies. Our furry pals can be quite playful and energetic. That’s why they are so much fun! It’s actually a good thing if Fluffy and Fido are active and frisky. What you want to look for is more a sign of discomfort. One example would be if your dog keeps getting up and down, as though he can’t get comfortable. Pacing can also sometimes be a red flag.

Respiratory Distress

Fido may pant after a fun round of Tag, Fetch, or Catch That Squirrel: that’s normal. Dogs also pant to stay cool in hot weather. However, if you can’t see why your canine pal is panting, or if your pooch is continually panting, there may be something up.

Shallow breathing is also a sign that something is off, as are wheezing, gasping, and coughing.

Staggering

Staggering and/or stumbling can be indicative of some very serious medical issues. These may range from severe allergic reactions to neurological issues to all manner of things in between. This is definitely a sign that your pet needs immediate emergency care.  

Vomiting/Diarrhea

There is a bit of a grey zone here. It’s not unusual for pets to have the occasional upset stomach. Cats, as you probably know, are also prone to hairballs. If your pet vomits or gets diarrhea once in a while, it may not be anything out of the ordinary. That said, ongoing, violent, or excessive vomiting or diarrhea are definitely signs that something is off. Bloody or frothy vomit are also indications of trouble. 

Changes In Weight

Keeping your pet at a healthy weight is very important for their health. Of course, if you realize that everyone in the house has been giving the dog treats all day, well, you won’t have to wonder why Fido is gaining weight. Fluffy is also pretty good at meowpulating people into feeding her on demand. But if you notice that your pet has suddenly started losing or gaining, and you aren’t sure why, contact your vet.

Behavioral Changes

This is a big one, but it can look a bit different from pet to pet. Pay close attention to your furry bestie, and spend time with them every day. The better you get to know Fido and Fluffy, the easier it will be to spot changes that can signal medical issues.

Here are a few things to look for

• A quiet pet that suddenly won’t stop barking or meowing
• A vocal pet that becomes quiet
• Withdrawal, especially in friendly pets 
• Uncharacteristic grumpiness
• Timid/aloof pets clamoring for attention
• Changes in the sound of your pet’s vocalizations

Unkempt Fur (Cats and small animals)

If you don’t feel well, you probably won’t be up to your usual beauty or self-care routine. This is true for kitties as well. Fluffy is usually pretty good at keeping her fur soft and clean. However, if she’s ill, she may not be up to it. Her fur will soon start looking unkempt and even greasy.

It’s worth noting that this isn’t always a warning sign with older cats in and of itself. Senior kitties often look a bit disheveled. That’s because it’s just harder for them to bend and stretch well enough to groom themselves properly. If your feline pal is a furry retiree, you may need to help her out by gently brushing her. Ask your Ashland WI vet for more information.

Reduced Interest In Play

One reason pets are so much fun to have around is because they are so playful. However, if your furry pal doesn’t feel well, they may not be very interested in their favorite toys or activities.

Lethargy

We know, lethargy seems to be a life goal for some of our patients. It’s probably safe to say that at least a few of you have furry couch potatoes on your hands. That said, even lazy pets should be alert and aware of what’s going on around them, and they should perk up for things like dinner and playtime. If your pet just doesn’t seem to have any energy, there may be something wrong. 

How Do I Know If My Pet Needs Emergency Care?

If you notice any of these warning signs, the first thing you should do is call the clinic. Depending on what the issue is, you may be advised to bring your pet in immediately. Other issues may be able to wait until you can get in. Talk to the Ashland WI animal clinic and follow their advice on this.

There are some red flags that would always necessitate bringing your pet in for emergency treatment.

That list includes the following: 

• Fever  
• Elevated Pulse  
• Discolored Gums  
• Collapse  
• Dry Heaving  
• Disorientation  
• Difficulty Urinating  
• Discharge  
• Known Or Suspected Poison Ingestion
• Unusually High Or Low Body Temperature  
• Coughing Up Foamy Or Pink Froth
• Visible Injuries, Bite Marks, Or Wounds
• Swelling
• Seizures
• Bleeding
• Bloating
• Difficulty Breathing
• Coughing
• Inflammation Or Injury To The Eye
• Loss Of Balance
• Lameness
• Bloody, Ongoing, Or Excessive Diarrhea
• Trouble Delivering Puppies Or Kittens
• Blindness
• Unconsciousness
• Vomiting
• Pain
• Choking
• Lethargy
• Known Or Suspected Injury, Trauma, or Poisoning 

What Are Some Signs Of Non-Critical Issues In Pets?

Not every health issue in pets requires urgent care. While minor issues do definitely need to be looked at, there are also quite a few things that require an appointment but not an ER trip. That would include things like torn toenails, tartar buildup on teeth, minor scratches and skin irritation. If in doubt, definitely call your animal clinic and ask. This is one area where it’s always best to err on the side of caution.

Do you have questions about your pet’s health or care? Contact us, your Ashland WI animal clinic, today!