Do you know what the most common reasons to take your pet to the vet are? Unfortunately, it’s impossible for our pets to tell us when they feel bad. If you're a pet owner, it's always a good idea to be on the lookout for warning signs that something may be wrong with your pet. Here's 7 reasons to take your pet to the vet to be aware of.
One of the most urgent reasons to take your pet to the vet is if you notice that they are having a difficult time breathing. This could be caused by several different things. They could have an infection that's easily treatable. They could also have a heart condition or a tumor. Your pet may have developed allergies or asthma. It's possible that they may have even swallowed an object and that object is stuck in their throat. When your pet struggles to breathe, it's impossible to diagnose them on your own, so it's important to get to a vet right away.
Just like us, our pets will have days when they are really hungry and days when they aren't hungry at all. They may even have times when they go all day without eating anything. Even though this is typically nothing to be worried about, it causes concern for most pet owners. If your pet goes two or more days without eating, they should be evaluated by a veterinarian. This could a sign of an underlying health problem that needs to be treated right away.
It's common for our pets to get tired after playing or if they've been outside on a hot day, but it's important to watch for changes in behavior. If they are overly tired or appear to be extremely weak, you should have them evaluated by a veterinarian. This could indicate that they have an infection, heart problems, or even diabetes.
Some pets have a tendency to overeat and this can cause them to vomit. Others may eat something that doesn't agree with their tummy and this can cause them to get sick, but if they vomit and have other symptoms such as a fever or pain, they need to be examined. Vomiting usually indicates that they have an infection.
It's always a good idea to watch for signs that your pet may have urinary problems. If you notice that they are urinating less often or not at all, you should contact your vet. If your pet is able to urinate fine, but blood is present in their urine, they need to be evaluated. The most common urinary problems in pets include infections and kidney stones. Both of these conditions are easily treatable.
It's possible for your pet to lose or gain weight if you change the type of food that they eat and how much they eat. Simply adjusting their feeding routine may help them get to a healthy weight. If you haven't made any food changes, their weight change could be caused by an underlying health problem. It's always good to remember that if your pet's weight changes by more than 10% you should take them to the vet for a checkup.
If you've noticed that your pet is losing a lot of hair, it's a good idea to make an appointment to see your veterinarian. Hair loss in animals can be caused by several different things and can be difficult to diagnose on your own. Dermatitis and hypothyroidism are both common causes of hair loss in pets. Once your vet determines what is causing the hair loss, they can recommend a treatment plan.
No one knows your pet like you do. If you feel something is wrong with them and they need to go to the vet, take them. Have you ever had to make an unexpected trip to the vet because you knew something was wrong with your pet?
Sources: petmd.com, petinsurance.com