By Alberta Frost

 We all know that when we get a new pet, be it canine or feline, it is important to seek veterinary care for a general health check, vaccinations, and spaying or neutering.  If the animal is young and healthy, we may not see the need to go back to the vet unless the pet develops some kind of a problem.  First, it should be noted that regular (annual) wellness checks are always a good idea.  Vaccines and flea/tick meds should be kept current, teeth should be checked, etc.  But, as a responsible, caring pet owner you should also know the signs that suggest your pet is in pain or has a medical problem that requires treatment so those symptoms don’t develop into something more serious.  Since they can’t talk to us we need to be careful observers and knowledgeable about when to seek professional care.

Although two specific sources were used to compile this list, the Pinecrest Veterinary Clinic blog (https://www.pinecrestvet.com/10-signs-your-pet-might-be-sick-a-vetinarians-insights) and The Vets (https://thevets.com/resources/pet-health-care/signs-of-pain-in-cats and https://thevets.com/resources/pet-symptoms//how-to-tell-if-a-dog-is-sick), my research found similar lists on multiple web sites.  Here are the generally recognized warning signs that your pet is ailing.

CHANGES IN PHYSICAL APPEARANCE/SKIN AND COAT CHANGES:  Look for redness, flakiness, hair loss, greasy or matted hair coat, excessive itching, lumps or growths.  These can be signs of allergies, external parasites, bacterial/fungal infections or, in the case of growths, something more serious.

CHANGES IN APPETITE OR DRINKING HABITS:  this includes loss or increase of appetite, difficulty eating, or excessive thirst or loss of thirst.  These could be the result of dental disease, intestinal parasites, eating something inappropriate, pancreatitis, or some other underlying disease like diabetes or kidney disease.

CHANGES IN BEHAVIOR:  Sudden alterations such as increased aggression, anxiety, clinginess, lethargy, or hiding away can signal the need for a visit to the vet.

DIGESTIVE ISSUES:  this includes vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation.

URINARY ABNORMALITIES:  In addition to the digestive conditions noted above, keep an eye out for straining when eliminating, increased frequency, blood and/or accidents.  These could be signs of infection, bladder stones, or something more serious.

RESPITORY PROBLEMS:  This includes coughing, persistent sneezing, wheezing, and difficulty breathing.  If you see these symptoms contact your vet as they could be signs of allergies, infection or other significant problems.

MOBILITY ISSUES:  Keep an eye out for difficulty walking, getting up, or using stairs.  Loss of mobility can be the result of injury or arthritis.

DENTAL PROBLEMS:  Bad breath, difficulty chewing, drooling, swollen gums or visible tartar are all signs that your pet’s teeth need attention.  Dental issues should not be taken lightly as they not only cause pain but can lead to much more serious disease.  Regular checkups and cleaning are key.

WEIGHT CHANGE:  Regular monitoring of your pet’s weight is important as appropriate weight is also a significant health indicator. 

EYE/EAR ABNORMALITIES:  Look for redness, swelling, discharge or cloudiness in the eye.  Head shaking, ear scratching or odor from the ears are also indicative of a problem.

Although this list applies to both cats and dogs, cats may require more detective work than dogs as they are skilled at hiding pain and illness as a defense mechanism … a survival instinct that has stayed with them from the days when they were prey to larger animals and hunters of others.  For your cat buddies, you should also look for trembling (a sign of pain), decreased or increased grooming, hiding more than usual, certain changes in body language and a prolapsed third eyelid (https://cats.com/sick-cat). You may not realize it, but your cat has three eye lids.  The third is protective and is normally pink in color and resides in the lower inner corner of the eye socket.  When your cat is ill, that lid can creep up and hang out covering half of the eye.  Cats who are not feeling well also sometimes display certain body postures or facial expressions which vets call the Feline Grimace.  An arched back, tucked tummy, tense body, vocalizing or shying away, a head position below the shoulder line, squinted eyes, dilated pupils, tense muzzle or ears that are flattened and rotated outward can all be signs that something is wrong.  You can learn more about the Feline Grimace Scale at the Universite de Montreal web site (www.felinegrimacescale.com).

We should always be careful observers of our pets.  That, of course, is part of our responsibility and part of the fun of pet ownership.  But, when we see a problem that is unusual or persistent, we should not ignore it hoping that it goes away.  Try to document what you see as to frequency and severity.  This will be very useful if you do need to seek professional guidance.  If signs of illness or pain persist for 24 to 48 hours take action.  Some conditions are, of course, more serious than others.  For example, it can be life threatening if a cat does not eat for 48 hours because that can easily result in a liver problem called hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver syndrome).  Older dogs are more prone to some urinary/bowel problems that could even require surgical intervention.  If you are in the least bit of doubt, call your vet.  You may be able to treat some things on your own, but others require professional intervention with medication, diagnostic tests or surgery.  Early intervention may well keep a manageable problem from turning into something more threatening to your dear companion.  Hopefully, your knowledgeable oversight will keep your cats and dogs healthy and pain free for many years.

About the Author: Alberta Frost is a long-time volunteer at King Street Cats and the caregiver for two cats both of whom are on special diets and medication at the recommendation of her vet.  As a result, they remain “large and in charge” of her household.