{"id":2153,"date":"2023-04-15T10:09:53","date_gmt":"2023-04-15T10:09:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vetic.in\/blog\/?p=2153"},"modified":"2025-11-01T07:25:14","modified_gmt":"2025-11-01T07:25:14","slug":"5-signs-of-sickness-in-your-pets-you-should-never-ignore","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vetic.in\/blog\/pet-health\/5-signs-of-sickness-in-your-pets-you-should-never-ignore\/","title":{"rendered":"Pet Health: 5 Signs of Sickness in Your Pet You Should Never Ignore"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It&#8217;s usually tough to identify signs of sickness in pets mainly because pets can\u2019t speak or express themselves. Moreover, their natural instinct is to hide in dark corners when they are feeling sick.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is not always easy to determine whether your <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hindustantimes.com\/lifestyle\/pet\/republic-day-2023-things-you-can-do-to-make-your-pet-feel-special-101674561297579.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">pet<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is unwell as your fur baby may not be able to communicate what they are feeling. Pets also tend to hide their illnesses since being sick can make them feel vulnerable.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2155\" src=\"https:\/\/vetic.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Img-1-min.png\" alt=\"sick cute puppy\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the wild, animals that appear weak or injured are often targeted by predators, so hiding an illness or injury can help them avoid becoming prey. However, you can notice certain changes in your dog that may indicate sickness &#8211;<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lethargy<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Decreased activity<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Loss of appetite<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Increased shedding<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sudden weight gain or weight loss.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you have been with your pet long enough, you may notice something wrong with them almost immediately after the symptoms set in. (Also read: <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hindustantimes.com\/lifestyle\/pet\/7-things-to-remember-before-bringing-home-a-new-pet-101674649955470.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">7 things to remember before bringing home a new pet)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;Our four-legged companions bring immense joy and love to our lives. However, when it comes to their health and well-being, pet parents experience significant stress and anxiety. They are unable to identify the early signs of sickness, leading to delays in diagnosis and treatment. It&#8217;s usually tough to identify the early symptoms of diseases among pets primarily because pets can\u2019t speak or express themselves, and survival instinct makes them hide their uneasiness,&#8221; says Gaurav Ajmera, Founder, Vetic.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here are the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hindustantimes.com\/lifestyle\/pet\/5-signs-of-a-sick-pet-you-shouldn-t-ignore-101674737809545.html\">5 signs your pet is sick<\/a><\/strong> as explained by Ajmera. We will zoom in on 5 signs and symptoms during the different stages of your pet\u2019s life.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">5 signs of sickness in puppies or kitten<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Very young pups and kittens (less than 12 months) need extensive care because their risk of infections is high. It is strongly advised to get the young buddies fully vaccinated against <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vetic.in\/blog\/pet-health\/what-is-canine-parvo-prevention-symptoms-causes-diagnosis-and-treatment\/\">canine parvo<\/a> <\/strong>and distemper, and dewormed as per a vet-prescribed schedule.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2139\" src=\"https:\/\/vetic.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Img-3-1-min.png\" alt=\"Frequent health check-ups of dogs\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With pet adoptions on the rise, it&#8217;s important to be aware of the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vetic.in\/blog\/pet-health\/5-common-myths-about-your-dogs-health-debunked\/\">potential health hazards<\/a><\/strong> and the early signs where medical care needs to be initiated. Key symptoms to look out for are:<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Constipation<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Decreased Appetite<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rapid and unexplained Weight Loss<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Diarrhoea<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vomiting<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you observe any of the above signs, do not experiment. Consult your vet for first aid\/treatment.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Signs of sickness in senior pets<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With an average life expectancy of 12-14 Years, pets above 8 years of age need more focus on healthcare. Senior pets run the risks of picking up lifestyle diseases and age-related ailments. These include joint issues, hormonal imbalance, kidney-related issues, tumours and diabetes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2158\" src=\"https:\/\/vetic.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Img-4-min.png\" alt=\"senior dog\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Key symptoms to look out for are:<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Excessive and <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vetic.in\/blog\/pet-health\/healthy-body-weight-importance-in-pets\/\">sudden weight gain<\/a><\/strong> or weight loss<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Difficulty playing and getting around<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bad breath, bloody gums, and other oral problems<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lumps, bumps, and other skin problems<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Increased and\/or strained urination<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Given the nature of medical issues in senior pets, they require careful observation, timely diagnosis and prompt treatment. Some age-related treatments are varied and can get complicated quickly. It&#8217;s important to remain vigilant, and follow all preventive measures including regular health check-ups.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Summer and monsoon specific signs of sickness in your pet<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Extreme heat and rains are breeding grounds for different ailments in pets. Every summer, vets see cases of <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vetic.in\/blog\/pet-health\/pet-grooming-tips-and-tricks-to-keep-your-pet-cool-and-clean-in-the-summer-heat\/\">heat stroke in pups<\/a><\/strong>, adult dogs and cats.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Monsoons increase the chances of parasite infestation leading to multiple skin and gut issues. It&#8217;s important to ensure the pets are kept well hydrated, properly groomed and away from moisture and dampness (specifically long-haired and double or triple-coated breeds).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2156\" src=\"https:\/\/vetic.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Img-2-min.png\" alt=\"very dry paws with redness\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Key symptoms to look out for are:<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Excessive scratching and licking<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Increasing shedding<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Head-shaking and ear scratching<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Blood in stool and bloating<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Excessive panting<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While it is not an exhaustive list of symptoms, it gives pet parents a good idea of different kinds of symptoms of sickness they should look for in their pets. Never assume and ignore. Be cautious whenever your fur-buddy is showing a change in their routine or behaviour, and\u00a0 consult a vet immediately.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Finally, follow the instructions and prescriptions of the vet meticulously. Do not discontinue the medicines or supplements, as sometimes symptoms may subside temporarily even when the cat or dog hasn\u2019t recovered fully. <\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>It&#8217;s usually tough to identify signs of sickness in pets mainly because pets can\u2019t speak or express themselves. Moreover, their natural instinct is to hide in dark corners when they&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":2157,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[65,64,66],"tags":[99,6,10,98,92,91],"class_list":["post-2153","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-pet-care","category-pet-health","category-pet-parents","tag-dog-health","tag-dogs","tag-pet","tag-pet-health","tag-pet-parent","tag-puppy"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vetic.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2153","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vetic.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vetic.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vetic.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vetic.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2153"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/vetic.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2153\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6719,"href":"https:\/\/vetic.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2153\/revisions\/6719"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vetic.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2157"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vetic.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2153"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vetic.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2153"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vetic.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2153"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}