Veterinary Advice on Sick Dogs
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Basic Veterinary Advice on Sick Dogs
First Things First
There is no substitute for veterinary advice on sick dogs given to you directly by your own vet. The pet health advice you'll find here is only meant to be a temporary aid until you're able to reach your dog's health care professional.
Vomiting
Vomiting is usually a symptom of a gastro-intestinal disturbance that can have any number of causes. While it's important to have your vet diagnose the cause and determine if treatment is necessary, there are a few things you can do to help your dog feel more comfortable.
Dog medical advice for dealing with vomiting includes:
- Do not feed your dog for twenty-four hours
- Keep fresh clean water available
- Reintroduce food gradually, and begin with something bland like boiled lamb or chicken with rice.
- Break meals down into smaller portions fed several times throughout the day.
Diarrhea
Diarrhea may be caused by parasites, viruses, bacterial infections and other sources, so it's vital that your vet does a thorough examination to determine what's causing the condition.
To help relieve symptoms:
- Remove your dog's food for twenty-four hours
- Replace his water with Pedialyte to help balance his electrolytes, but refresh the bowl every few hours to inhibit bacteria growth.
- Some vets recommend administering a small amount of Pepto Bismal, but you should ask your vet for the correct dosage.
- Canned pumpkin is also a natural diarrhea remedy. Feed one teaspoon at a time to avoid putting more pressure on the bowels.
Seizures
Seizures are basically an electrical storm of misfired messages in the brain that cause a dog's body, or portions of it, to convulse uncontrollably.
If your dog is undergoing a seizure:
- Do not attempt to move it until the seizure has passed.
- Try to remove nearby objects to keep your dog from injuring itself.
- Call your vet immediately.
To help keep your dog from going into seizure clusters:
- Offer your dog small amounts of water at a time. Seizures cause dehydration, so your dog will feel voraciously thirsty, but loading up on water can be dangerous if your dog has a repeat seizure.
- It's important to restore balance to the blood sugar after a seizure. Offer your dog a small handful of soft food once every half hour for several hours after the convulsions have stopped. A few tablespoons of ice cream will also help offset low blood sugar.
Shock
Shock is a serious medical condition that can result in death if not treated immediately.
Symptoms include:
- Pale or grayish tongue and gums
- Rapid, shallow breathing
- Rapid, weak pulse
- Loss of body heat
- Dilated pupils and a fixed stare
- Weakness
- Unconsciousness
If you suspect your dog is in shock, call your vet immediately. You can also provide temporary assistance for your dog by:
- Positioning your dog so that its head is lower than the rest of its body.
- Wrapping the dog in a blanket to conserve body heat.
- Avoiding oral medication if your dog is unconscious.
- Transporting your dog to the vet as soon as possible.
Constipation
Constipation makes it difficult for your dog to pass stools. It can be caused by a fluid imbalance in the intestinal tract or other factors.
Symptoms include:
- Straining to pass stools
- Exceptionally dry, hard stools
- Distended belly
Home treatments for constipated dogs include:
- Increasing the amount of fiber in your dog's diet
- Walking your dog one hour after a meal to encourage it to defecate
- Providing plenty of fresh water
- Refraining from giving your dog bones and other hard snacks until the symptoms have passed
Heat Stroke
Heat stroke occurs when you dog's body temperature reaches between 105 and 110 degrees F. The best treatment for heat stroke is prevention, and you can achieve this by keeping your pet out of the hot sun, making sure its area has good air circulation, and providing plenty of fresh water.
Other signs of heat stroke include:
- Heavy panting
- Fatigue
- Red gums and eye rims
- Unconsciousness
- Seizures
Once a dog goes into heat stroke, swift action must be taken to avoid death. Veterinary advice on sick dogs displaying signs of heat stroke includes:
- Try to put your dog in a pool or tub of cool water, supporting its head to prevent drowning.
- Offer frequent small drinks of water.
- Avoid applying ice since it will merely constrict the blood vessels and prolong the cool down process.
- Seek veterinary treatment as soon as possible.
Dog Flu
The symptoms of dog flu are the same as they are for people.
Veterinary advice on sick dogs with flu includes:
- Keeping your dog warm and comfortable
- Removing food until vomiting has passed
- Offering Pedialyte to maintain a balance of electrolytes
- Restricting water intake to a minimum if diarrhea is involved
- Applying a cool wet towel to your dog's groin if its temperature rises beyond 102 degrees F
- Calling your vet for more professional advice
