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No dog-owner likes to see their pet friend feel under the weather
and act unlike themselves. If your dog is sick, sometimes he can
benefit from the love and care offered at home. At other times,
his condition may warrant a consultation with the vet. It is
important to be able to tell the difference between each. If the
illness affecting your dog is serious, it could result in a life
or death decision.
Measures to Take
- Familiarize yourself with your dog’s daily routine. By doing
this, you will be alerted if he shows any abnormal pattern of
behavior. Knowing when to call the vet is half the struggle.
- Do not feed him if he shows signs of vomiting or diarrhea.
Not even treats or raw-hides should be allowed.
- Keep ready access of water for your dog to avail whenever he
feels thirsty.
- Gradually introduce a diet of bland food to your dog after
the period of starvation. The diet should include 1/3 easily
digested protein and 2/3 easily digested starch.
- Don’t allow your dog to exhaust himself by playing or
exercising excessively. Playtime should be restricted for a dog
that is feeling unwell.
- Keep a close watch on its urine and stool output.
Additionally, always keep an eye on him for symptoms. If you have
to step out, appoint a person to look after your dog while you
are away. Don’t leave him alone while he is sick.
- Set up your dog’s bed in an area where you can monitor it.
Add blankets that exude your scent to keep him comforted.
- Ensure minimum light and noise where the dog is resting. It
will allow him to have uninterrupted naps.
- Don’t let him near your other dogs, if any. You could risk
transmission of the disease.
- Clean his bathroom area more frequently to keep away
potential health risks that may result in further chances of
infections/illness.
- Keep him from scavenging by securing your garbage.
- Dogs that show a lack of appetite need to be tempted into
eating. The dog parent may heat the dog’s meal to make it more
aromatic which will draw the dog’s interest towards it.
- Hide his medication in his meals, this will make the process
of administering medication much easier.
If a dog is not severely unwell, he can be easily treated at home
with some patience and kindness. Overseeing your dog’s condition,
feeding him on time and cleaning after him are all that is
required. However, if the dog begins to show symptoms that refuse
to go away with time, it is wise to involve a vet.
What do you do if your Dog gets Sick or Injured on
Vacation?
More and more people are bringing their four-legged companions
with them on their vacations. The increasing number of
pet-friendly airlines, hotels, cafés, and other forms of
accommodations and activities allow people to bring their pets
wherever they go. But what do you do if your dog falls ill or
gets injured while you’re on vacation and far away from a
vet?Some health issues can be very unpredictable and you’ll have
to think on your feet. You can prevent cases of overheating or
dehydration, but what will you do if your dog eats a poisonous
plant or hurts his paw? The key is to be prepared with some
research and education. Another important factor is remaining
calm and taking the right decisions to protect your dog’s health
while on your vacation.When you’re planning your vacation,
prepare in advance and be ready in case your pet falls sick or
gets injured. Take the following steps to make sure that you’re
ready to handle any issue that could affect your dog’s health.
Research the location you’re
traveling to:
All locations can have dangers such as outbreaks of diseases,
environmental threats, etc. Research the area you’re traveling to
and identify factors that could threaten your dog’s health like
ticks, parasites, canine disease outbreaks, toxic water bodies,
etc.
Consult your local vet:
Before you leave for your vacation, speak to veterinarians from
your holiday destination and ask them for suggestions regarding
how safe it is for your pet. This is wiser than reaching the
destination and encountering a problem that you didn’t know about
earlier.
Carry your dog’s medical
records:
If an emergency occurs, it is important that you have details of
your dog’s medical history. You could scan these records and
carry them on a flash drive instead of carrying physical
documents. Don’t forget to carry your veterinarian’s contact
information as well.
Carry a first-aid kit:
As you would when you’re traveling with fellow humans, pack a
first-aid kit for your dog that includes everything you’d need to
treat minor cuts and bruises, upset stomach, or a fever. Also
pack a muzzle for your dog in case you might have to take your
dog to the pet hospital.
Become familiar with your
dog’s healthy vital signs:
Study and learn about your dog’s baseline vital signs such as
body temperature and pulse. This can help you identify if your
pet is feeling unwell, overheated, or detect other health issues.
Undergo a pet first aid training program.In case of an emergency,
don’t hesitate to call your vet. They can give you advice or help
you through what you should do in a crisis. If emergency care is
required, locate the closest 24-hour veterinarian hospital. While
on vacation, carry necessities like water, antihistamines, cold
packs, bandages, and a blanket. Your pets will depend on you
completely in case something goes wrong, so it is your
responsibility to keep your dog safe.
