5 REasONs tO takE YOuR pEt tO tHE vEt

1. Sudden, unexplained weight loss

If your dog or cat seems to have lost a substantial amount of weight over a short period of time, there could be an underlying medical reason for this. Some of the more common conditions that can be associated with weight loss include diabetes, kidney disease, hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid), infections, liver disease, intestinal disease, or cancer. Of course, if you have put your pet on a diet and exercise plan to lose weight purposefully, then you probably don’t need to worry.

2. Increased water consumption and urination

Does it seem like you have been filling your pet’s water bowl much more often lately? Is he/she asking to be let outside more than usual or having accidents in the house? Is your cat’s litter box sopping wet? What goes in must come out, so if you are noticing one, but not the other, it is still a problem. It might just be that you haven’t noticed the other half yet. Drinking a lot of water can be a sign of MANY different diseases. The most common are diabetes, kidney or liver disease, infections, and metabolic (endocrine) diseases. If detected early, there is a lot your veterinarian can do to help your best friend.

3. Frequent vomiting or diarrhea

If your pet can’t stop vomiting, then there is a problem. As a general rule, an animal should be seen if they vomit more than three times/hour for three hours in a row, or if intermittent vomiting continues for more than two days. It is also a significant concern if a dogs drinks water but throws it up immediately. If you see anything unusual in the vomit – dark substance that looks like coffee grounds, blood, or foreign material, then a visit to your vet is a good idea. If they are vomiting, but not passing stool that is also a red flag.

Diarrhea that continues for three days with no signs of abating is another reason to visit with your vet. Typical “run-of-the-mill” diarrhea that stems from a diet change or minor dietary indiscretion usually resolves itself within this time frame. If not, then it is likely your pet may need some medical assistance to fix the problem. Again, as with vomiting, if you notice anything unusual in the diarrhea (yes, we want you to look at it!) such as strange color (black is especially troublesome), blood clots, or foreign material it is worth a call to the vet. Animals can become dehydrated quickly with severe, intractable diarrhea, so if left untreated for too long – simple diarrhea could turn into hospitalization on IV fluids.

4. Your cat is refusing to eat

In cats, this can be a serious problem. If a cat is completely anorexic for three days or more a visit to the vet is highly recommended. It is especially concerning when the cat is overweight. Cats are picky eaters, but at times, under stress, they will refuse to eat anything at all. When this occurs, a cat’s body will start to use stored fat for nutrients. The digesting fat can overwhelm the liver which quickly becomes diseased, resulting in hepatic lipidosis, or fatty liver disease. This can be a deadly situation if the cat does not start consuming real calories rather quickly. Often there is a need for feeding tubes and force feeding to save a cat’s life!

5. Eye problems

If your cat or dog is suddenly holding his/her eye closed, acting irritated when you try to look at the eye, rubbing the eye with a paw, has discharge from the eye, or a white/blue hue to the surface of the cornea (the clear part), then see your vet ASAP! Eye problems such as scratches, infections, or foreign material that gets stuck in the eye can get worse very quickly. Don’t wait and see if it will get better tomorrow … go in today! Things could be much worse tomorrow.

This is a short list of the more common reasons that a veterinary visit should be scheduled. With pets, the sooner a problem is addressed, the higher the probability that your veterinarian will be able to intervene and make your friend well again. Waiting too long can result in a very undesirable outcome. In addition, being prepared to allow your vet to perform diagnostic testing when these problems occur is advised. Our pets cannot tell us exactly how they are feeling, and sometimes running tests is the only way to figure things out. Ask any vet and they will tell you that normal diagnostic tests on a sick dog can be frustrating, but at least we know what is NOT wrong … and that can be extremely helpful too!

West Fargo Animal Hospital is located at 730 13th Avenue E in West Fargo. You can find out more about us on our website at www. westfargoanimalhospital.vetsuite.com or find us on Facebook! We encourage questions, so give us a call at 701-282-2898. [AWM]