{"id":369497,"date":"2025-11-10T16:04:13","date_gmt":"2025-11-10T16:04:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/369497\/"},"modified":"2025-11-10T16:04:13","modified_gmt":"2025-11-10T16:04:13","slug":"dog-health-changes-vets-say-you-shouldnt-ignore","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/369497\/","title":{"rendered":"Dog Health Changes Vets Say You Shouldn’t Ignore"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cIf your dog is suddenly less active, refuses to play or seems weak, it could be due to pain, infection or metabolic disorders,\u201d Dulake said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

A dog who is more tired than usual might be exhibiting subtle signs of joint pain due to osteoarthritis. Dr.\u00a0Courtney Pierce<\/a>, a canine pain medical lead with animal health company Zoetis, recommended being on the lookout for early indicators like difficulty going up or down stairs, lagging on walks, hesitation to jump up or down and limping after exercise.<\/p>\n

\u201cOften, my clients will say to me, \u2018He\u2019s doing OK, he\u2019s just slowing down a little,\u2019\u201d she said. \u201cAnd while I certainly don\u2019t want my older dog acting like a puppy when it comes to things like chewing up my shoes or forgetting his manners, \u2018slowing down\u2019 is not a change I welcome or ignore. Almost 40% of dogs suffer from pain associated with [osteoarthritis] but it often goes undiagnosed until the condition is very advanced.\u201d<\/p>\n

Although osteoarthritis is often considered a disease of old age, Pierce emphasized that this is not accurate and pointed to research<\/a> finding that about 39% of dogs between 9 months and 4 years of age showed radiographic signs of the condition in at least one joint.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy own dog was diagnosed with osteoarthritis when he was just 4 years old when I noticed he didn\u2019t want to run and play with my children like he used to,\u201d she explained. \u201cThankfully, because I didn\u2019t ignore the signs, we were able to get him started on pain relief and a weight management program right away. Now we can look forward to many more happy and active years with him!\u201d<\/p>\n

Recurring GI Issues<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cAn occasional upset stomach in an otherwise healthy dog is usually not a cause for concern,\u201d Myers said. \u201cMost cases of vomiting or diarrhea from eating something unusual resolve on their own within a day or so. However, when a dog shows intermittent appetite loss, vomiting or diarrhea over time, it raises a red flag.\u201d<\/p>\n

Even if each episode seemingly resolves on its own, recurring GI issues over weeks or months can signal a bigger underlying issue, which could include pancreatitis, a food intolerance or allergy, gastrointestinal obstruction or kidney and liver disease. Bloodwork and abdominal imaging can help vets identify the cause.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cAny time blood is noted, that\u2019s not something to be ignored,\u201d Krebs said. \u201cIf there is blood in vomit or diarrhea, the dog or cat should probably be evaluated by a veterinarian.\u201d<\/p>\n

Blood could indicate an infection, poisoning or other gastrointestinal problems. Be similarly mindful of abdominal distension.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is especially relevant for large and giant breed dogs, but abdominal distension, or an outward appearance of bloating, can be a life-threatening medical condition,\u201d Krebs said. \u201cWhen I see dogs with bloated abdomens, that\u2019s something I would take them to the vet right away to determine if more significant interventions are required. This becomes even more significant when accompanied by vomiting and abdominal pain.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

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