Just like humans, dogs can get sick with many diseases or face health problems. And seeing a dog sick can be frustrating for dog lovers.

The biggest problem with dogs is that they cannot say and explain what they are suffering from. But it does show signs of illness that we must know and watch out for. These signs can appear either through physical or behavioral changes.

And you should be aware of the more common signs of diseases that can afflict your four-legged friend, as this can make all the difference. By acting promptly at the first signs of illness, you can help relieve suffering for your pet, save money and even save his precious life for you.

Symptoms that your dog is sick

Here are the top 10 signs and symptoms a dog can exhibit when he is sick:

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1 - Vomiting

Vomiting could be due to a lot of factors or anything that he picks up while walking. Accidental vomiting is good because it helps get rid of unwanted things. However, if your pet vomits several times a day, you should take this as a warning sign.

Some of the serious causes of vomiting are poisoning, or the presence of foreign objects in the intestine, stomach ulcers, digestive problems, viral infections, parasitic infections, pancreatitis, liver failure and kidney failure.

Vomiting several times a day, especially when the vomiting is accompanied by other symptoms such as lethargy and lack of appetite, means that the dog needs medical attention. The appearance of blood in the vomit is another cause of fear and anxiety.

Regardless of the cause, when your pet begins vomiting, have him drink as much water as possible to prevent dehydration, which can make his condition worse.

2 - Diarrhea

Just like vomiting, if your dog suffers from diarrhea once in a while this is normal. Occasional diarrhea indicates that your dog may chew some things that he should not eat, and his health usually improves quickly.

But if you brush up on watery stools multiple times per day, this is a clear sign that your pet dog is not feeling well.

If the watery stool contains blood, or the diarrhea is accompanied by fever or vomiting, take the dog to the veterinarian immediately. These symptoms can indicate food poisoning, foreign body ingestion, gastrointestinal disease, parasitic infections, inflammatory bowel disease, bacterial or viral infections, kidney or liver disease, cancer, hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, or Colitis. And when you go to see your dog to the vet, it is a good idea to take a fresh sample of stool with you.

3 - Cough

Just like humans, dogs also suffer from a cough. And if you have noticed that your dog is coughing, there is a possibility that something is stuck in his throat. This type of cough is good for health, but a persistent cough is not a good sign, especially if it causes poor sleep or lasts for more than 24 hours.

A persistent cough can indicate minor bronchitis, heart disease, lung disease, bronchial collapse, tumors or congestive heart failure. Likewise, if your dog is showing signs of coughing vigorously or breathing quickly, that is not a good sign. Under normal circumstances, dogs should breathe 15 to 20 times per minute. Breathing can indicate a number of health problems, from a chest infection or cold to allergies or other respiratory problems.

When your dog suffers from severe coughing, take the dog to the vet. And if your dog is struggling to breathe, check the color of the gums and tongue. If you notice a bluish color instead of pink, consult your veterinarian immediately.

4 - Changing appetite

Being a pet owner, it is important to pay attention to changes in a dog's appetite, just like humans, dogs may show a change in appetite when they are not feeling well.

Your dog may experience an increase or decrease in appetite, which could indicate a cold, fever, stress or many other potential problems. However, a change in appetite, especially when it leads to weight loss or gain, can also indicate a serious illness, such as liver problems, kidney failure, cancer, infection and dental disease.

Do not delay and call your vet if your dog is not eating enough food or appears to be eating more than usual for more than 24 hours. Just like food, you must keep an eye on how much water your dog drinks. Drinking too much or too little water could indicate a problem that requires a veterinarian's attention.

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5- High body temperature

Dogs can have a fever just like humans. In fact, a fever is a clear sign of illness in both animals and humans.

Feel your dog's nose and behind his ears to see if he is feeling hotter than usual. If you suspect a fever, take the temperature accurately by using a digital rectal thermometer specially designed for dogs.

The normal body temperature of dogs ranges between 101 and 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit. If your dog has a temperature of 103 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, this means that he has a fever. Always keep in mind that a body temperature above 104.5 degrees Fahrenheit is consistent with the possibility of a dog suffering heatstroke, which is a life-threatening emergency.

In addition to a high body temperature, your four-legged friend may show other signs of illness such as lethargy, shivering, depression, vomiting, coughing and a runny nose. And your dog may refuse to eat and show signs of thirst.

You should seek advice from your veterinarian when your dog has a fever. Antibiotics or other treatments may be needed to remove the source of the infection causing this.

6 - Excessive itching

Dogs have a habit of scratching the body, but if they suddenly start scratching their bodies frequently, it could be a sign of a health problem.

Excessive itching is a sign of fleas, ticks, mites, or scabies. It could also be due to an allergic reaction to something in the environment that creates the itchy sensation. Even when dogs experience stress and anxiety, they may itch themselves a lot. Itching can also indicate hormonal or endocrine problems, as well as fungi or staph infections, often causing itchy skin and hair loss.

Regardless of the cause of the itch, it should not be delayed otherwise it could lead to further infection. Visiting the veterinarian can help get a proper diagnosis and treatment. Meanwhile, you should take your dog to the bathroom to take a gentle bath to maintain proper hygiene and provide good food to ensure optimum nutrition.

7 - long idle

Usually signs of low energy and fatigue show up after a busy day in the garden, but prolonged fatigue is a cause for concern. Proper rest and sleep helps pets recover. But a steady drop in energy level is not a good sign. Prolonged inactivity combined with decreased activity or general weakness is a strong sign that your pet is not feeling well.

Prolonged inactivity can indicate many serious medical problems, including heart disease, parvovirus, dystomiasis, kennel cough, heart disease, liver disease, diabetes and hypoglycemia.

Abnormally low energy levels should be checked over two or three days by a veterinarian. Just like low energy levels, high energy levels can also be an issue that needs medical attention.

8 - Excessive drooling or bad breathing

Excessive drooling (drooling) or bad breath is another sign that your friend is not feeling well. In fact, it may indicate some type of problem in the mouth.

Bad breath is caused by bacteria that form a layer on a dog's teeth. The dog may have problems chewing because of it. It is important to find and solve the exact cause of bad breath immediately. If not treated in time, harmful bacteria can travel into the nasal passages and sinuses, resulting in respiratory problems.

If the bacteria make their way into the bloodstream, they can cause problems with the liver, kidneys, or heart. And make sure to brush your dog's teeth daily and provide him with treatments or toys made specifically for dental hygiene. If you cannot clean your dog's teeth for any reason, they should be regularly cleaned by a professional.

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9 - Dryness and redness of the eyes

Do not ignore symptoms such as dry eyes or scales, red spots or white eyelids, a change in the color of the eyes, or a runny nose, as they could indicate an infection or an eye disorder. Dry eyes, conjunctivitis, are some of the common causes of eye problems in dogs.

If you notice any eye symptoms in your dog, you should consult your veterinarian for immediate diagnosis and treatment. Long-haired dog breeds are usually more prone to eye problems as the hair gets into the eyes and causes irritation.

Make sure to trim the hair around your dog's eyes from time to time. Also, you should gently wipe the eyes with a damp cotton ball. But be careful not to touch the eyeball.

10 - Urinary changes

A change in your dog's urination pattern is something you will need to take very seriously. Urinating more or less than usual for a day or two may have something to do with the amount of water your dog drinks. However, urinary changes that last for several days can indicate many health problems. These changes in the time of urination or the color of urine can be an indication of the disease.

If your dog urinates indoors, drinks water a lot, or needs to get outside more than usual, this could be a sign of many health problems such as diabetes, liver disease, kidney disease, adrenal gland disease or a urinary tract infection.

If your dog is trying to urinate but is unable to do so, take him to the vet quickly as this can indicate some form of blockage and it can be very dangerous.

Blood in the urine is another sign that your dog may be suffering from a bladder infection and needs immediate medical attention.

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Additional tips

• A dog's ears may droop if he feels sad or if he has an ear injury.
• If there are black spots on the pet's gums, this indicates serious dental problems.
• If your dog's eyes are dark, this could be a strong indicator of a cataract.
• If your dog is chasing its tail, this could indicate that the inner ear has a condition called labyrinthitis.
• Runny eyes or nose may be signs of respiratory problems, such as inflammation or shortness of breath.
• Weight changes over two to four weeks can also indicate a problem.
• Swelling in the stomach area could indicate constipation, gas, or bloating.
• Excessively aggressive behavior can indicate a rabies infection.
• Nosebleeds can refer to trauma or parasites within the mucous membranes of the nose.
• You should keep your vet's phone number so that it can be easily found if you have an emergency.
• If you are not sure whether your dog is sick, seek the advice of your veterinarian immediately.