Vet issues warning over seven silent symptoms in your dog could be more serious than you think
A vet has warned of seven silent symptoms to look out for in older dogs that could be a sign of something more serious.
dr Jones shares tips and tricks to help pet owners at home on his YouTube channel.
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The first silent symptom to look for in an older dog is a wet cough, Jones explained in a video.
“Does your dog have a wet cough at night or when he gets up in the morning?” he asked.
This could be a sign that your dog has a heart condition.
While this is worrying, it can be easily treated with medication, assured Dr. Jones.
The second symptom to watch out for is drinking more water than usual along with a decreased appetite.
“I’m starting to worry about an organ disorder, I’m thinking liver or kidney disease,” the vet explained.
If you notice this symptom, the vet will recommend taking your dog to the local office to have some blood work done.
The third sign that something is wrong with man’s best friend is white gums and less energy.
This could be a sign of anemia.
The fourth symptom is bad breath, accompanied by a lack of chewing ability and increased salivation.
This could be a sign of oral cancer, explained Dr. Jones.
“It’s really important when you see this not to just assume it’s a bad tooth,” he said in the study clip.
“If you catch it early, it can be removed early,” he explained.
The fifth sign is when you feel a lump that “appears in a hurry and wasn’t there before.”
“That’s a big red flag,” the vet said.
This can be a sign of lymphoma or another type of cancer.
Difficulty walking is the next silent symptom that could be concerning.
This can be normal in older dogs, but it can also be a sign of something more concerning, such as degenerative myelopathy.
The last symptom to keep an eye on is a decreased appetite.
This could be a sign of many diseases and should be treated by a veterinarian.
dr Jones gave one last important piece of advice.
“Trust your gut, you know your dog so much better than anyone and if you see something that doesn’t match his character then trust your instincts,” he told his followers.
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