A lot goes into looking after a pet and while there are things you can care for at home yourself, other circumstances will require professional help. It might not always be easy to tell if your pet is feeling unwell, and cats in particular are notorious for hiding their ailments as they have evolved to do this to stay safe from predators. As a pet owner, you want the best for your animal friend, so not being able to see straight away if they are having problems can be a concern. To give you a bit more indication of when it’s time to see the vet, here are some things to look out for.
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Changes in Appetite
If your pet appears to be eating less than usual, this is usually a sign that something isn’t quite right. If you have recently changed the brand of food that you give them, it might be that they are not used to it and will need to take time to adjust. However, if this isn’t the case, it might be because your pet has an underlying health condition that needs diagnosing. Equally, if your pet appears to be hungry more than usual, they might have worms and will need treatment to get rid of them.
Wheezing or Coughing
Pets can get respiratory infections as easily as humans can, and if they are left unchecked it can lead to very serious illness or even fatalities if it becomes severe enough. If you have noticed that your pet is wheezing or coughing a lot lately, you should book an appointment with your vet immediately. Cats might also have discharge coming from their eyes if they have a respiratory infection too, so look out for this symptom.
Time for Neutering or Spaying
Having your dog or cat spayed or neutered is a necessary procedure. It reduces the number of abandoned animals in shelters and means that your pet will be less stressed and emotionally anxious within your home. Your cat or dog will have to reach a level of maturity before they can have this kind of procedure, so if you have a puppy or kitten, speak to your vet to find out when the right time will be and schedule an appointment.
Vomiting or Diarrhea
Not only is cleaning up your pet’s sick and poop unpleasant for you, but it could also signify that they have something wrong with them. Sometimes this might happen because your pet has eaten too much, and their digestive systems can’t take it. However, it could be a sign of a food allergy or something else that requires your attention. Vet clinics like the Easyvet franchises can offer you advice on pet nutrition and run checks to rule out any allergies, as well as investigate other potential causes of vomiting and diarrhea.
Wounds That Won’t Heal
If your pet has been injured recently and (even after treatment and medications) the wound doesn’t appear to be healing, you will need to go back to your vet to investigate further. Wounds should be able to heal properly, but if they aren’t it might be due to other irritants or a health condition preventing this from happening.
If you notice any of these signs in your pets, don’t hesitate to call the vet for a check-up. Even if it turns out to be nothing to worry about, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
