When to Take Your Pets to the Vet

When to Take Your Pets to the Vet

As pet owners, we are always looking out for the wellbeing of our furry friends. We ensure their diets are well-maintained and that they are receiving enough exercise. However, most owners will need to care for a sick pet at some point. When this happens, you may need to take your pets to the vet

Some conditions can be treated with the help of home remedies, while others require proper medical attention from a vet. If your pet is exhibiting any of the following symptoms, they should be taken to a pet clinic immediately.

Changes in Eating Habits

If you notice that your canine or feline is eating less or has stopped eating completely, it may indicate that they are suffering from an illness or a medical condition. It’s common for pets to skip a meal once in a while. However, a persistent change in eating habits could signal a deeper problem.

Dry or Patchy Coat

Your pet’s coat serves as a good indicator of their overall health. Owners should familiarize themselves with the appearance of a healthy coat for their specific dog or cat breed. If you notice that their fur is looking dry, rough, or patchy compared to its usual appearance, your pet may be suffering from an allergy or a skin disease. These problems should be examined by a veterinarian as soon as possible.

Vomiting

Vomiting is usually a sign that your pet has ingested something they should not have. Most animals expel the offending item from their system after vomiting once. However, if you notice that your pet is vomiting repeatedly, or that there is blood visible in their vomit, there may be something more serious causing the problem.

Strange Stool

Stomach problems can be a frequent problem for some animals. When this occurs, their stool may be dry and hard, or loose. If your pet is suffering from these problems for multiple days in a row, there may be cause for concern. 

Seizures

Seizures can be a very serious problem for some dogs and cats. Certain animals are born with epilepsy, but may not suffer their first seizure until they reach a certain age. If you notice your pet suffering from a seizure, you should take them to a vet as quickly as possible.

Symptoms of a seizure include:

  • Shaking body movements.
  • Muscle twitching.
  • Foaming at the mouth.
  • Fainting.

Home Remedies for Animals

Some health minor health problems do not require the assistance of a veterinarian and can be treated using home remedies. These include:

Diarrhea and Constipation

If your dog suffers from diarrhea or constipation occasionally, you should feed them canned pumpkin. This food item is high in fibre, which should add some volume to their stool and fix their bowel movements. Pumpkin may also stimulate the growth of helpful stomach bacteria that promote better digestion.

Owners should ensure they are providing their dog with actual canned pumpkin, and not pumpkin pie, as the latter contains added spices which may not be good for your pet.

Wounds

If your dog or cat has developed a minor cut, you can treat it at home by washing it carefully with warm water. Avoid using soaps or shampoos for this purpose, as they may delay healing. Instead, you can make a saline solution using a small quantity of salt mixed with water.

Skin Dryness

If you notice that your pet has developed skin dryness, you should take them to a vet to rule out any serious problems. Once you get the green light from an expert, you can help treat the problem by giving your pet omega-3 fatty acids. These are oils that can be added to your pet’s meals, or fed in the form of capsules.

There are many home remedies to help your pet in times of need. If you feel your pet requires medical attention in the near future, check out this blog regarding how to keep your pets comfortable at the vet.