5 reasons to take your pet to the vet Writer: Dr. amy Anderson
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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
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