Dog and Cat
Common Symptoms/ illnesses
Fever/Pyrexia/High body temperature
High body temperature in pets above 102oF is a primary sign of acute illness. It is the body’s way of adjusting or responding to the abnormality or imbalance in the normal body physiology. When observed, call a veterinarian for immediate attention.Dullness/Inappetence/Anorexia
When your pet refuses to eat, or suddenly becomes very selective of what it eats and appears very dull. This could be a sign that your pet might be sick, although it is not always the case. Sometimes, this might be due to an emotional disturbance, because pets experience this, just as humans do. Although, if your pet remains dull and refuses to eat for more than a day, prompt veterinary attention might be necessary.Vomiting
Since pets are used to eating virtually anything they see, vomiting/throwing up can be the body’s way of helping them expel harmful substances they must have eaten. Vomiting is a symptom of many conditions such as parasites, gastrointestinal disease, food allergies, exposure to toxins, and liver disease. If your dog/cat shows any of the following, call a veterinarian. Vomits more than once in 3 days, projectile vomiting, abdominal enlargement, weakness/lethargy, lack of appetite, and retching should be taken seriously.Diarrhea
This is the passage of loose stool/feces. The stool could be foul-smelling, blood-stained, mucoid, and/or watery depending on the underlying cause. It often lasts more than a day and can lead to dehydration and weakness. Oftentimes, it results from gastrointestinal irritation which can be caused by gastrointestinal disease, parasites, worms, allergies, and toxins.Constipation
Inability to defecate normally or difficult defecation. It could be caused by hernias, kidney disease, slow intestinal movement, high intestinal worm load, and swallowing of hair/grass/nylon.Coughing
Dogs cough for many reasons, including allergies, tracheal disease (collapse), lung disease, or due to the lodging of a foreign material/object in the windpipe. If you notice your pet coughing forcefully, repeatedly or at night, call a veterinarian.Bites/Stings
This is a common occurrence in pets, especially dogs kept in garden areas or bushy environments. It could be a snake bite, scorpion sting, or bee sting. Bites or stings are emergencies and require professional intervention to keep the pet stable and advice on the next steps to take.Electric shock
Chewing power cable is the most common cause of shock.Ear injuries
Often, dogs shake their heads violently to try and dislodge foreign objects from the ears themselves. This, in turn, can burst a blood vessel and cause swelling of the ear flap. However, the most common cause of ear injuries is ear infections.Eye disorders/injuries
The smallest eye injury can develop into an infected wound and loss of vision. Never take your pet’s eyesight for granted. Production of tears, scratching of the eye, avoidance of bright light, and discharge from the eyes are things to watch out for. Always seek immediate treatment advice even for minor eye injuries.Heat stroke/hypothermia
Excessive panting and signs of discomfort can indicate overheating. However, it is important to be aware of the ambient temperature and take appropriate preventative measures. This may also be a result of carelessly leaving a dog in a car on a hot day or forgetting to provide shade to an animal kept outdoors.Limping
A variety of problems, such as injury, infection, inflammation, anatomic defect, cancer, and degenerative diseases can cause limping in your pet. The onset of limping may be sudden (known as acute onset), or develop more slowly over time, as seen with chronic disease.Other conditions
If there is any condition not listed that you require urgent veterinary attention for, we are available 24 hours to give you the right answers.Emergencies
Shock/Hypothermia
Many factors are responsible for this illness/symptoms in dogs and cats. A sick animal that is moribund (about to die) mostly exhibits this sign. Other causes are poisons, bites and stings, and cardiovascular conditions.Choking
Occurs mostly when the pet has swallowed strange objects or inhaled dangerous/deadly substances. It is advised to check the mouth or throat for any foreign object lodged or suspended within. Call a veterinarian for a proper diagnosis.Poisoning
Oftentimes, dogs and cats come in contact with poisonous substances in the environment. Examples may include chemical poisoning, lead poisoning, organophosphate poisoning, bleach poisoning, and other toxic substances which are either swallowed, contacted, or inhaled. Care should be taken to withdraw such toxic/poisonous substances from the reach of your pets. Some general signs of poisoning in dogs/cats include the following rolling on the floor and groaning, reddened and dilated pupils, restlessness, excessive salivation, vomiting, and incoordination. Poisoning is an emergency, call a vet for prompt assistance and advice.Management Advice
Vaccination
Vaccination is a very essential preventive measure to keep your pet from common life-threatening diseases and viruses.Deworming
Worms are deadly and the best way to avoid them is by maintaining a deworming routine.Grooming
To maintain a good-looking appearance your pet needs regular grooming. Grooming should not be performed on a pet for aesthetic purposes only.Feeding
Types of food, pattern, and quality of food given to your pet is key to their general well-being. For instance during recovery from certain illnesses, after weaning, and during pregnancy following a proper feeding plan is necessary.Are You Ready
to schedule a home visit?
Avoid unnecessary trips to the emergency room. Our trained mobile veterinary service team in your city will contact you.