Symptoms

Eating gives as much pleasure to most dogs as it does to their owners. But what should you do when your dog eats excessively? Is Fido just a glutton, or does he have a more serious medical problem?

Healthy dogs’ ears are clean and odor-free. If you notice a strange smell emanating from your pet’s ears, don’t be shy about taking a closer sniff or a closer look. Chances are, your dog is harboring a stinky surprise: thick brown or yellowish green discharge in the outer ear canal.

Your dog’s bright sparkling eyes are a clear sign that she’s feeling good. But occasionally, inflammation and irritation of the eyelids or the eye itself can make your pet look like she just got off the late shift.

As unappetizing as it sounds to us, coprophagia, or eating feces, is quite natural for dogs. Any dog will tell you that cat feces are among the tastiest morsels around.

Can’t find your dog’s waistline? There may be times when you look at your dog and wonder if that large belly (abdomen) is normal. In many cases, the answer is no!

Your dog will turn up her nose at her kibble if she’s not feeling completely on top of her game. The trick is to determine whether the appetite loss is temporary and harmless or if it indicates a more serious problem.

The mouth and gums are full of small blood vessels, so they can bleed a lot! If you see blood on your dog’s gums, gently snoop inside her mouth to find the source of the bleeding—but watch out for those sharp teeth!

While walking your dog you notice blood in your pet’s feces, or stool. Should you be concerned? Yes.

Just like people, some dogs are born blind, develop sudden blindness, or gradually lose their vision. If blindness develops slowly or in just one eye, you may not even notice your pet’s handicap because she will adjust her behavior to compensate. Visually impaired dogs navigate their homes quite well, just as you do in the dark. But move some furniture around, and you’ll soon spot the problem.

Watching your normally happy healthy pet experience breathing difficulty can be frightening. Just as people do, pets get anxious when they have trouble breathing. Their pupils dilate and they might extend their necks, breathe through their mouths, and wheeze. As scary as this situation is, you need to remain calm and get your pet to a veterinary hospital.

If your dog forgets where the front door is or can’t seem to find his food bowl, take note. His confusion may be the first sign of a more serious condition. Confusion can occur suddenly or gradually, but either way, it’s disturbing for you and your dog.

Occasionally, what goes in doesn’t come out. If your dog doesn’t produce a bowel movement for one to two days, he may be constipated.

When the respiratory tract becomes irritated or obstructed, the body attempts to eject the irritant by coughing. An occasional hack or gag from your dog is normal, but you’ll need to seek medical help if she coughs excessively or displays other signs of illness.

Some dogs can’t help it—they’re droolers. Heavy jowls make Newfoundlands and Saint Bernards the most common offenders. However, any breed of dog or cat may dribble if they’re carsick, excited, or nervous.

Your dog can’t tell you that his ear is itchy, but he’ll let you know by shaking his head or scratching at his ears. Then it’s up to you and your veterinarian to figure out why it’s itchy—and what to do about it.

Many dogs like to graze every now and then. Eating grass is a natural instinct that may make dogs feel better. But occasionally this herbivorous habit can upset the gastrointestinal tract and cause vomiting.

If your dog doesn’t greet you with his customary enthusiastic tail wag, he may be a bit under the weather. Most dog owners can tell when their furry friends come down with a bug, but checking for a fever may confirm your sneaking suspicion.

Gas, farts, flatulence—no matter what you call it, we all do it. But when your dog’s occasional outbursts become frequent, there’s probably a good reason.

Your dog grooms so often that she’s developing a bald spot and sores. Is this normal? No. If your dog grooms more or less than usual, an underlying health problem may be the cause.

No one likes coming home to find an accident on the floor. If you’re housebreaking your puppy, this stinky surprise just comes with the territory. But if your older dog leaves you an unpleasant present—warm puddles or mountains of manure—he may be expressing a medical or behavior problem.

Your parched pet can’t seem to get enough to drink, and you find yourself filling his water bowl more often than usual. Should you be concerned?

Just like us, our dogs can sometimes overexert themselves, causing pain and limping in one or more legs. Perhaps your playful pooch just can’t say no to yet another game of catch.

Your dog may sleep harder and longer after an active day of walking or playing, but listlessness isn’t normal. Lethargy, or decreased activity, appears with almost any medical condition in dogs, and its onset can be quick or gradual. Either way, lethargy almost always indicates a health problem.

Your limber dog uses her teeth and tongue to do many things you do with your hands—like scratching, rubbing tender joints, or removing thorns. But underlying problems also can cause your pet to lick excessively.

When people hear the word “lump,” they often think of cancer. In reality, most lumps you’ll find while petting or grooming your dogs aren’t serious—but it’s a good idea to ask your veterinarian to check them out anyway.