Can You Tell When Your Dog Is Not Well?

You know your dog better than anyone else, so you can usually pick up the changes in his behavior, if he appears unusually tired, or depressed, or if he seems to want to have you closer to him than usual. Even our beloved pets have their changes of mood, as do their owners from time to time. So what are the signs that a dog is not his usual self?

Some obvious indicators could be a change in appetite, body weight, or his eyes not appearing as clear as they should be. This was the experience I had with my Norfolk terrier over a period of many days. There was nothing I could detect until I checked his mouth and gums. He wasn’t happy about this, but it had to be done when nothing else seemed to be amiss with him. I found the problem almost right away and knew this was a job for the vet.

Our pets are not able to tell us when they are suffering with an abscessed tooth, but we at least know when they are hurting, as they withdraw from the activities they normally enjoy. Fortunately, Toby was a very trusting dog that knew I would never harm him, so he reluctantly allowed me to examine his teeth. After phoning the vet we were off to take care of the problem. His tooth needed to be extracted. His diet also had to be adjusted for a while during the healing process.

At home he sought comfort on the sofa beside me. Our veterinarian had recommended puppy steps and pet ramps two years earlier, so Toby could ascend and descend using them safely in his travels. It was how he reached his favorite spot on the sofa and got into our bed at night (or during the time in our absence). It has greatly simplified our lives since we placed Toby’s pet ramps and puppy steps in all the strategic places where he is inclined to need them.

Many things could cause your best friend to feel unwell; sometimes it is a patient process that is required to find the answer. When this is not possible, it has always been reassuring to have my vet’s number handy, along with that of an accessible emergency clinic.

Your pet’s appearance can sometimes speak volumes, along with his behaviors and demeanor, to alert you to a condition demanding your attention. When we have a close bond with our pets, we are then their best friends when it truly counts.