Signs Your Pet Needs a Wellness Exam
Not sure if your pet needs to visit the veterinarian? Recognizing the signs of common pet health issues could help you decide when it's time to pick up the phone and make an appointment for a wellness exam.
Appetite or Weight Changes
Eating less than usual or losing weight could be a sign of a health issue. Weight loss or loss of interest in food can be caused by:
- Tooth and Gum Problems or Broken Teeth
- Stomach Ulcers
- Pain
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease
- Constipation
- An Obstruction Caused by Swallowing a Foreign Object
- A Tumor or Cancer
- Medication Side Effects
- Cognitive Problems (An older pet may forget to eat.)
If your pet is eating more than normal, diabetes, Cushing's disease, or hyperthyroidism could be to blame. Diabetes or kidney disease could also increase thirst.
Digestive Problems
Vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation lasting more than a day may warrant a visit to the veterinarian. The symptoms can be caused by infections, illnesses, food sensitivities, or parasites. Parasites are a common problem in dogs, particularly those that visit dog parks, according to a research study published in Parasites & Vectors in 2020. Intestinal parasites were found at 85% of dog parks in the 30 U.S. metropolitan areas tested as part of the study. More than 20% of the dogs that visited the parks had intestinal parasites, including hookworms, whipworms, and roundworms.
Call the office immediately if your pet tries to urinate or defecate without success, or you notice blood in your pet's stool or vomit. These symptoms can be signs of a serious, potentially deadly conditions, such as urinary tract blockages or gastrointestinal obstructions.
Behavioral Changes
Does your dog no longer spend evenings on the couch next to you? Has your normally playful cat lost interest in its favorite toys? Changes in behavior and personality can occur for many reasons, including illness, pain, or anxiety. Howling, meowing, restlessness, confusion, irritability, house soiling, and irritability can be signs of dementia in older pets.
Tooth and Gum Issues
Tooth and gum problems affect many pets in the U.S. Seventy-three percent of dogs and sixty-four percent of cats had dental-related issues, according to an analysis of more than 3 million visits to Banfield Pet Hospitals in 2023. In addition to affecting your pet's ability to eat, tooth and gum problems can cause irritability. Serious gum infections may occur if your pet doesn't receive regular dental cleanings to remove plaque and tartar from teeth and gums.
Signs of dental issues include:
- Red, Swollen, or Bleeding Gums
- Broken Teeth
- Bad Breath
- Yellow or Brown Tartar on Teeth
- Drooling
- Pawing at the Mouth
- Dropping Food
- Bloody Saliva
Appearance Changes
Food allergies, illnesses, infections, Cushing's disease, nutritional deficiencies, dementia, and flea, mite, or tick bites may cause changes in your pet's appearance. Make an appointment if you notice any of these signs:
- Dull or Greasy Coat
- Itchy Skin
- Red Spots That Are Hot to the Touch
- Open Sores
- Red Bumps
- Patches of Dry, Flaky Skin
- Frequent Biting or Scratching of the Skin
- Hair Loss
- Unpleasant Odor
Mobility Issues
Mobility issues, such as limping, dragging the rear legs, and problems with jumping or climbing stairs, can happen to any animal, but are more common in older pets. Your veterinarian can provide a diagnosis and offer helpful treatments and strategies. Mobility issues have many potential causes, ranging from minor paw injuries to hip dysplasia and arthritis to cancer.
Respiratory Symptoms
Although occasional sneezing isn't anything to worry about, ongoing sneezing, coughing or wheezing should be checked by a veterinarian. Sneezing, wheezing and coughing can be signs of:
- Upper Respiratory Illnesses
- Infectious Diseases
- Allergies
- Bronchitis
- Asthma
- Exposure to Dust, Smoke, and Other Airborne Irritants
- Foreign Objects
- Dental Disease
- Parasites
- Heart or Lung Disease
Your pet needs emergency veterinary care if you notice any of these signs:
- Noisy Breathing
- Gasping for Air
- Open-Mouthed Breathing
- Flared Nostrils When Breathing
- Extreme Effort to Take a Breath
- Pale or Blue Gums
Protect your pet's health with a wellness exam. Contact our office to schedule your furry friend's appointment.
Sources:
Parasites & Vectors: Detection of Gastrointestinal Parasitism at Recreational Canine Sites in the USA: the DOGPARCS Study, 6/1/2020
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32487211/
PR Newswire: Banfield Pet Hospital State of Dental Health: Significant Majority of U.S. Dogs and Cats Have Oral Health Issues, 2/16/2024
PetMD: Why Is My Cat Losing Weight, 2/19/2024
https://www.petmd.com/cat/symptoms/cat-losing-weight
PMC: Animals: A Review of Medical Conditions and Behavioral Problems in Dogs and Cats, 12/11/2019