Knowing When To Call The Vet.

Chance says, "I go to see Dr. Maass at Guyan Animal Hospital on Rt. 60, near Barboursville. I really like all the girls that work there, and I really love my vet! My mom takes good care of me. She looks me over every day, just like it says below, tip to tail."

Dogs can be excellent communicators of certain messages; if they’re happy, hungry, scared, or just want to go for a walk. However, when it comes to their health, your pet might not to be able to articulate just what ails him or that anything is even wrong at all. Instead, good doggie diagnosis relies on knowing about and being on the lookout for telltale signs and symptoms in your pet.

Tip to Tail: Give your dog a regular once over to make sure he isn’t presenting any troubling symptoms. Starting at the nose; check for any discharge that is yellowish-brown, blood tinged, or foul smelling. Also note if his eyes appear cloudy, or if there is a yellowish or red discoloration in the whites of the eyes. Examine ears for redness or swelling. Next, check the mouth and teeth for bloody or tender gums and excessive tartar build up. Finally, inspect his coat and skin for lumps, bald spots or extreme oiliness. Brush back or blow on a section of hair and observe for minute moving specs such as fleas, ticks or other parasites.

Eating Well: Sudden changes in your dog’s eating habits may also indicate serious health issues. A noticeable increase or decrease of appetite over a 24-hour span or excessive water drinking should arouse your suspicions. Be wary if your dog’s stools are runny, watery or bloody or if urine is cloudy or discolored.

Pained Pet: Also consider a call to the vet if your dog exhibits other abnormal behaviors, such as fainting, loss of balance, shivering, whining for no reason, limping or trying to protect part of its body. Prolonged panting and difficulty breathing are important signs to watch for and may indicate a range of problems. Different signs and symptoms can be the products of a variety of underlying causes so it’s best to go to your vet for a professional opinion and definitive treatment. Also remember that, just as with human health problems, early identification and early care are key to getting your dog back in tail-waggingly good shape.