Ten Signs Of A Sick Pet

' Does my pet need to see the doctor?’, I think that this is the most commonly asked question by my clients. I hear our receptionists and technicians answering this question at least 10 times a day. Many times clients arrive voicing regret for not having visited with us sooner. They admit that they had recently wondered if something was wrong with their companion, but then the pet seemed fine later that day. However, a few days later, their pet is now  gravely ill. 

It is a daily challenge for veterinarians to sort out the subtle cues that pets share with us when they are ill. Animals express their illnesses in far different ways than people. They are obviously less vocal (ie. they don’t talk about their discomforts like we do) and they are far more tolerant of their aches and pains than we are. Over the years I have developed a strong awareness of the subtle signs that animals use to indicate whether they are in pain, feeling unwell or distressed. However, this is my profession and I have been practicing my craft for quite a few years. Here are some of the things that I suggest owners look for when deciding whether their pet needs veterinary care. Generally, these rules apply as well to a snake as they do for a cat, dog, rabbit, etc. 

1. Listen to that little voice in your head   Your intuition is a powerful tool. If you have that nagging feeling that your pet, that individual you interact with every day, is not well, then you are most likely right and you should follow through and have that pet evaluated. The best thing that can happen is that you leave the hospital with your pet, a clean bill of health for Fido or Fluffy and the peace of mind that everything is ‘OK’. 
2. If you cannot find them they are probably in trouble  Dogs, cats and even exotic pets often seclude themselves when they are in pain or sick. This harkens back to a primitive defense mechanisms with the pet seeking shelter and safety away from predators or other members of their pack that might injure them. However hiding makes it a lot harder for us to see that they are ill and sometimes leads to the pet deteriorating even further before interventions are applied.
3. An unkempt pet is an unhappy pet  Just like us our pets groom themselves daily. Also, just like us, pets do not give attention to their cleanliness and appearance when they don't feel well. Cats that are ill will have a slightly greasy texture to their coat and they may have mats in their fur. Dogs too may become matted and have dirty coats and greasy skin. Even reptiles and birds may develop abnormal skin colors, scaling and may traumatize themselves and pull out feathers when they are sick or distraught. Any change in your pets coat can be an indication of serious health issues. 
4. Changes in appetite and water consumption Most pets eat regularly and on a regular schedule. Sure your dog or cat may have a tendency to turn his or her nose up at a meal now and again, but this is part of their normal pattern of behavior. If you begin to recognize that their appetite is consistently poor or excessive or their water consumption has escalated, this is not normal. Pets, just like people are creatures of habit. When their good appetite and ‘normal’ water consumption are interrupted get them in for a much needed check up. 
5. Sleepy and slow are not normal Pets that have become unusually quiet and sleepy are most likely not well. Many people arrive at the hospital explaining that their dog or cat had stopped jumping, playing or climbing stairs and they had attributed this to the pet getting older.
   
   Certainly all animals slow down with age, but is should never be abrupt and it should never be a complete refusal to perform normal activities, like climbing stairs or asking to go outside. Remember, our pets are capable of suffering a great deal of discomfort silently. It's our job to be observant caregivers. 
6. Pets do not fall victim to the common cold! Pets do not acquire colds like their human housemates and they do not catch them from or give them to people. Sneezing, coughing , nasal congestion and ocular and nasal discharge may be due to viral infections (particularly in cats) and these may be mild and self limiting. However, it is typically the old and the young that are commonly affected and they can become very seriously ill, very quickly. Nasal tumors, abscessed teeth, foreign objects in the nose, eye infections, fungal infections, pneumonia and a myriad of other things can cause very similar signs.  Remember that cats, in particular, when deprived of their sense of smell will stop eating and this can lead to other serious consequences like hepatic lipidosis and renal failure that might be avoided with prompt treatment of the upper respiratory signs. 
7. Accidents in the house House trained and litter trained pets do not just spontaneously stop using the litter box or stop asking to go out. If your cat urinates outside of its box or the dog is not able to get to the door in time to ask to go out, something is wrong. 
8. Strange behavior warrants immediate attention 
   
   Changes in character like acting aggressive or unusually passive, pacing, circling, sleeping in strange places, becoming easily agitated, refusing to go up and down stairs, bumping into walls or going to the wrong side of the door when asking to go out are all significant changes that should send you and your pet directly to the veterinary hospital. Remember, be careful to not anthropomorphize (give your pet human emotions and motivations), if your pets behavior has changed remarkably, they should be evaluated by a veterinarian. 
9. Vomiting and diarrhea are serious problems This seems like an obvious fact, but often pets arrive with lengthy histories of vomiting and diarrhea and by the time the pet is presented to the hospital they are profoundly dehydrated, may have low blood sugar, renal compromise and many other secondary issues. Again, the very young and the geriatric animals are the most likely to become critically ill quickly. Addressing a minor gastrointestinal upset early may save money as well as your pets life. 
10. Weight loss or weight gain can be signs serious illness Monitoring your pets weight is one of the best ways of monitoring their well being. Often small changes in body weight may be among the very first signs of serious illness. I think this is especially helpful with cats and exotic pets who often make it very challenging to appreciate the early signs of illness. 

The last thing to remember: If you feel your pet is not well and you visit your veterinarian and he/she does not take the time to listen to your concerns, does not evaluate your pet thoroughly and does not have a thoughtful discussion about the issues you have raised, don't be discouraged or feel embarrassed. But, do find a new veterinarian! Remember, early treatment of most health issues is the key to the most successful outcome possible.

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Dogs and Cats Are Not For Everyone

I cannot imagine living in a home without pets. I am sure my house would be much cleaner, my gardens more pristine, but it just would not be the same without them.  It would be so quiet, so dull. The sound of the cats as they move about. The dogs as they jostle for position on the couch. The sound of the sugar gliders on their wheel. Yes, I said sugar gliders. We have two and two tortoises as well. 

There are so many different animals that you might adopt, depending on who appeals to you the most.The first thing to remember about the exotic pet is that there is more care and up keep than your average dog or cat. Just because they are not as demanding and they live in a cage this does not mean that they don’t require daily care. They need companionship, variety in their environment, special diets, and often specific environmental temperatures in order to flourish. Typically, these pets are not appropriate for children since they are fragile and need special care. If you are planning on caring for the pet with your children, making it a group project, that’s great! But remember, many of these pets, as long as they are well cared for, can live for 10, 20, 50 + years. Make sure you all are prepared for a long term commitment.  

Exotic pets, just like dogs sand cats, require regular veterinary care with annual examinations and check-ups when ever you feel they are not well. As I mentioned these creatures are fragile and get sick very quickly. Nutritional deficiencies are common problems and are difficult to correct once the pet is sick. Visiting with a veterinarian that has special training in exotic pet care can help get you and your pet on the right track. 

At our hospital there are staff members that work with reptile and amphibian rescue groups. It is amazing how many of these expensive and at times rare pets are surrendered or even released by owners that were not prepared for the responsibility of caring for these pets. Be sure you are well educated and willing to accept all the responsibilities that are included in caring for another living creature!

Here is some brief information about some of the exotic pets we see at our office. It is certainly not a complete list and be sure to visit many web sites and check out books at your local library so you are well informed. Let’s begin with the sugar gliders, ours are named Violet and Lizzie.

Sugar Gliders are nocturnal and marsupials. They are originally from the rain forests of Australia, Papua New Guinea and Indonesia. However, they are bred in captivity here in the U.S. They have a furry section of skin that extends from their ankles to their wrists and it allows them to glide through the air. They can be very tame and great companions, but they must be handled and entertained often. They are very social and it is best that they be housed with other gliders. They can live 12-14 years in captivity. They need a diet that has a great deal of variety, eating fruits, nuts, commercial kibbles, and protein from worms and eggs. Sugar gliders need a large cage with lots of toys and room to climb and jump (or glide!). When angered or stressed they do bite and even as youngsters you must work to acclimate them to being handled. I would suggest purchasing from a private breeder that hand raises the gliders or adopting from a rescue. 

The tortoise is an ancient species that can live more than a hundred years. Turtles can live several decades as well. Each animal needs a very specific environment with strictly controlled temperature and moisture. Diets must also be very specific and they must be fed, cleaned and interacted with daily! Tortoises enjoy getting outside or roaming the house, but safety measures must be taken. No animal wants to be confined to a cage all day, every day. All enclosures and tanks have to be sized appropriately and they need the appropriate bedding or water filtration for their 'house'. Make sure you understand the needs of the type of turtle or tortoise you are adopting. Some can be very difficult  and costly to maintain. 

Chinchillas can live 10 to 20 years and are originally from South America. They prefer a warm environment and enjoy the periodic dust bath. They too are nocturnal and require a special cage, periodic teeth trimming and a specific diet. They are very social. Rabbits are also social and live 10-15 years. They too do best when kept indoors and in a regulated environment. They enjoy being out with their people, but like chinchillas and sugar gliders, they must be supervised. Both have commercially available pelleted diets. The chinchilla enjoys hay and does not tolerate great variety in it's diet. Rabbits are able to have additional vegetables, hay and fruits. 

Snakes and lizards are very popular pets. I think they are among the ones that are either the most poorly cared for or the most likely to be surrendered. This is usually as a result of their owners tiring of them or the pet has become ill due to mismanagement. Snakes can live decades. They require special housing, temperature regulation and regular cleaning. They are typically fed live food. Lizards can be vegetarians or eat meal worms, bugs and sometimes birds, other lizards and snakes! Some lizards can live up to 50 years. They require very specific housing, temperature regulation and diets. 

Birds are wonderful pets and have very specific cage, temperature and feeding requirements. Birds, particularly parrots can be so long lived they survive longer than their original owners. They can be very social and enjoy interacting with people. Many birds can be taught to talk and sing songs. However, they are delicate and stress, poor diet and drafts can be fatal for birds.

The fact is, no pet is without major responsibilities. However, for all your hard work you can reap the benefit of their companionship. Be sure you do your homework before adopting one of these pets and have appropriate housing and food available for them when they arrive at their new home. Also, have them examined by a veterinarian skilled in caring for exotic pets and review with them how you are caring for your new pet, making sure you are both getting off to a good start.

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