How to Know When to Call the Vet

Image Gallery Shaggy Dog Shutterstock.com/Fernando Jose Vasconcelos Soares

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“Doc, I think my dog Chico is hurt. Can you come over?”

I reluctantly rolled out from under the steamy covers and collected my thoughts. Probably Chico was fine, maybe he had a sprain or strain, or was suffering from the beginnings of arthritis. “Give him an aspirin and call me in the morning,” I fantasized replying on the phone. “I’ll be right over,” I actually said. I warmed up my truck, slugged down a caffeinated drink, loaded up my vet boxes and headed over.

It is not always easy to know when your dog is sick. Farm dogs especially, with their partiality toward dead animals, horse manure and cow pies, are prone to bouts of vomiting and diarrhea, but it can be hard to sort out when a visit to or from the vet is necessary.

This list of warning signs, when combined with good, down-home common sense, can act as a guideline as to when your dog requires medical attention. While most dogs will get through most bouts of ill health without a lot of intervention, other times an immediate response can save a pet’s life.

Warning Signs of Serious Disease in Dogs

1. Protracted vomiting and diarrhea

There are at least 63 causes of vomiting in dogs, but the most common cause is simply known as dietary indiscretion. Dogs who get into the trash, eat animal carcasses or drink pond water all can end up with very dicey gastrointestinal tracts.

Other more serious causes of vomiting and diarrhea include diseases of the pancreas, liver or kidney, or other primary intestinal diseases such as a blockage, parasites, cancer, ulcers or inflammation. Your veterinarian may need laboratory tests and X-rays to sort these out.

The first important criteria is to confirm that your dog is drinking water and able to hold it down without vomiting. Then, evaluate your dog’s attitude: Is she lethargic, lacking appetite and not interested in her usual activities? This can be a sign of serious underlying disease. Finally, note whether the vomiting and diarrhea appear to be worsening or fail to improve in 24 hours. Without improvement in 24 to 36 hours, it is time for a visit with your veterinarian to rule out serious disease.

2. Pale gums

Lift up your dog’s upper lip and notice the gum color. It should be a vibrant pink. An early warning sign of serious disease is pale gums. Anemia, caused by a lack of red blood cells, will give your dog’s gums a ghostly pallor. Anemia has many causes, and your vet will have to sort this out.

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