Alarming Signs You Should Never Ignore in Your Pet

We all have heard this before: Pets can tell us if something is wrong. So, its better to trust your instincts as a pet owner, if you notice something is off or unusual with your pet, pay close attention, it could be a sign of a serious medical condition.

Here are five signs to never ignore in pets:

Change In Behaviour

Have you noticed your pet acting a little different lately? A change in your pet's behaviour, such as moodiness, unprovoked aggression, erratic temperament, fearfulness, anxiety, submissiveness, inactivity or sudden onset of seizures, these are the exact changes that needn't be taken lightly. If you see your little furry friend choosing to be alone or not able to get comfortable lying down, even a lack of appetite can be a strong indicator that something is wrong. Discomfort and pain are the most common reasons for a change in your pet's behaviour.

Drooling

People with dogs such as bloodhounds, boxers, mastiffs, or Saint Bernards know drool is a package deal their dog comes with. Excessive drooling, however, may be a sign that something is wrong with your pet. Sudden, excessive drooling may indicate heatstroke, dental issues such as periodontitis or a tooth abscess. Maybe your pet has chomped down on something that has irritated or burned the mouth, has eaten a toxic plant or is suffering from a neurological problem.

Change in Odour

Don’t mix up pet’s stench for being standard in the ageing process. Just remember, healthy pets don’t stink. If your pet has begun to smell differently, stinky ears and skin, bad breath, noxious smelling gas, you should know that it is pretty alarming. Bad breath can be a sign of dental disease, oral melanoma and diabetes or kidney failure and musky smelling ears are usually a sign of an ear infection. Stinky skin followed by itching, skin flaking, or skin lesions can signal allergies, seborrhea, or bacterial or yeast infections. No matter whether you’re used to your pet producing malodorous gas on a daily basis, a change in the intensity of the smell can be an indicator of gastrointestinal disease.

Heavy Panting

It's pretty normal for pets to pant, especially after a long catch and throw run or after a walk to the nearby park on a warm day. What isn't normal is heavy panting, what's the difference, you ask? Heavy panting usually means deeper, laboured breathing and may last longer than normal panting associated with excitement, playtime or cooling down. Heavy panting could mean your dog or cat is in pain and may be suffering from poisoning, heatstroke, heart failure, Cushing's disease, lung tumours or pneumonia.

If your pet displays any of these signs, don’t wait: take your dog to the veterinarian for an examination.