Of course it's very unpleasant to see your best friend not feeling well. He relies on you, the owner, to be his protector when he is sick. Your first step is to know that your dog is sick, and second, to understand how severe the illness is. Some diseases can be treated on their own under your close examination, while others require immediate veterinary help. But if you're in doubt, ask your vet for advice. Sometimes, this is critical to your dog's safety.
Step
Part 1 of 4: Recognizing the Symptoms of Disease
Step 1. Supervise your dog's daily activities
Take notes when your dog urinates, when symptoms of illness occur, when he eats and drinks, and so on. This can help you recognize the pattern of symptoms of the disease. These records can also be a useful tool for your veterinarian to check your dog's illness.
If your dog's pain isn't too severe (not eating well for a day, restlessness, vomiting one or two times, bouts of diarrhea) you can check your dog at home and contact your vet for advice
Step 2. Seek immediate veterinary help if you notice certain symptoms
There are some severe symptoms that require prompt medical attention. Never wait for these symptoms to appear, and call your veterinarian immediately:
- Faint
- Bleeding
- Hazardous material ingested
- Constant vomiting and diarrhea
- Fracture
- Difficulty breathing
- Seizures that don't stop within a minute
- Inability to urinate, or not producing urine
- New or past symptoms in dogs with medical conditions (diabetes, Addison's disease, etc.)
- Large swelling around the face, eyes, or throat
Step 3. Seek advice from a veterinarian for less severe symptoms
Some of the symptoms of illness can be uncomfortable for your dog and may indicate a health problem that needs to be addressed. Contact your veterinarian for advice on managing the following symptoms:
- Seizures lasting less than a minute
- Vomiting and diarrhea that are not very frequent and occur no longer than a day
- Fever
- A feeling of weakness that lasts longer than a day
- Not eating for more than a day
- Difficulty urinating
- Lame or act like pain
- Excessive drinking
- Swelling that appears gradually
- A lump that suddenly appears or one that is already there but is getting bigger
- Other strange symptoms or behavior (shivering or whimpering)
Part 2 of 4: Treating Illness at Home
Step 1. Do not give food if the dog is vomiting or has diarrhea
For puppies and dogs older than 6 months who were previously healthy, you can delay feeding for 24 hours if the main symptoms are vomiting and diarrhea.
It also includes treats and rawhide (dog treats made from toughened leather)
Step 2. Be sure to provide the dog with drinking water
Never stop giving a sick dog water unless he vomits it up again. If this happens, contact your veterinarian for advice.
Step 3. Give plain food for 1 to 2 days
After delaying the feeding for 24 hours, and the dog is behaving more normally, you can gradually introduce a menu of plain foods for 1 to 2 days. Plain food for dogs includes one part easy-to-digest protein and two parts easy-to-digest cereal as well.
- Common sources of protein include soft cheese or chicken (without skin and fat) or boiled hamburger meat.
- A good cereal is white rice that has been cooked without added flavoring (unsalted).
- Feed your dog one cup per day (split into 4 servings over a 6 hour period) per 5 kilograms of body weight.
Step 4. Limit your dog's exercise and playtime
Make sure your dog gets enough sleep by limiting exercise and playtime. Take him out on a leash to defecate, but don't let him play when he's sick. This is really important especially if he is limping.
Step 5. Watch the dog's feces and urine
Pay attention to how often your dog urinates when he's sick. If he usually goes out alone, use a harness when he's sick so you can see how often he's urinating.
Don't punish your dog if he poops in the house, either defecating, urinating, or throwing up. He can't help it when he's sick and will hide if you punish him
Step 6. Watch your dog's symptoms closely
Make sure you watch your dog just in case his symptoms get worse. Don't leave the dog alone. Don't leave him alone everyday or on weekends. If you have to leave the house (for example, you have to work), have someone check on your dog every two hours.
If you can't do this, check with the vet's clinic to see if there's a surveillance program in place. Symptoms will get worse quickly, or more serious symptoms will appear suddenly
Step 7. Feel free to contact the vet
If you are unsure of your dog's symptoms, or if his condition worsens, contact your veterinarian for advice.
Part 3 of 4: Creating a Cozy Place for Dogs
Step 1. Bring your dog into the house
Do not leave the dog outside or in the garage. He may have trouble regulating his temperature and you won't be able to closely monitor changes in his symptoms.
Step 2. Prepare a comfortable bed
Provide a dog bed with a blanket in a place where you can easily and frequently supervise it. Choose a blanket with your body odor so your dog will feel comfortable.
Choose a place with an easy-to-clean floor, such as a bathroom or kitchen. This way, if your dog vomits or defecates, you can clean it up quickly and easily
Step 3. Keep the house quiet at all times
When your dog is sick, keep the room quiet and well lit. Imagine the environment you liked when you were sick. Dogs will love the same atmosphere. Limit people passing by and noise from vacuum cleaners, children, and television. This will allow the dog to get the rest he needs.
Step 4. Separate sick dogs from other dogs
It's best to separate sick dogs from other dogs. This will prevent disease transmission. Being alone can also give your dog some rest.
Part 4 of 4: Maintaining a Safe Environment for Dogs
Step 1. Do not give human food to dogs
Foods that are safe for humans can be deadly to dogs. Products like xylitol are very harmful to dogs. This ingredient is found in sugar-free foods and dental products.
Other toxic foods include bread dough, chocolate, avocado, grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, and other foods
Step 2. Do not give human drugs to dogs
Never give your dog human medicine unless you have checked with your vet. These drugs can be harmful to dogs and can make the disease worse.
Step 3. Keep your home, garage, and yard free of toxic substances
Always supervise the dog when he is outside. Keep potentially toxic substances out of reach. These substances can be pesticides, antifreeze, fertilizers, drugs, insecticides, and other objects. These items can be toxic and potentially lethal to dogs.
