Millions of dog owners in the UK are being urged to familiarise themselves with six signs that could potentially save their pets' lives.
Many of us think of our dogs as family members but unfortunately they can't let us know when they feel unwell. Now pet food nutritionists at Years.com have identified six tell-tale signs which should set alarm bells ringing for dog owners.
Owners are being urged to look out for the signs as early diagnosis could potentially save their life and prevent running up costly vet bills.
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Each one of the signs spotted in isolation could have an innocent explanation but dog owners are being told to be particularly concerned if they notice their pet displaying several of the tell-tale warning signs at the same time.
Here are six signs from Years.com which suggest your dog could be ill:
Loss of appetite
If your dog isn’t licking all four corners of the bowl don’t panic, but if they don't eat much of their food, they could be feeling stressed and anxious at home or have underlying digestive issues.
Strange lumps on the body
Always feel around your pet’s fur to check for any bumps and lumps even if they’re small to notice. Check if the lump grows any bigger or if any more appear in a two-week period and take your dog to the vet if you notice there has been a change.
Constantly clawing to go outside
Dogs love to go out and play in the garden, but if they’re constantly clawing at the door after eating it may not mean they’re wanting to get some sunshine. Going to the toilet immediately after eating could mean they have digestive issues and the food they’re on is only worsening their stomachs.
Reddish skin
If you look closely at your dog's fur and notice the skin is red and discoloured, it could mean they have a bacterial skin infection. If left untreated, it can spread across the entire body and cause widespread irritation which is only made worse with scratching.
Smelly nails
If a foul odour is coming from your dog’s nails it could be a sign of bacterial claw infection. If left untreated, it can worsen and develop into bone infections which isn’t only uncomfortable for them to walk on but cause their health to get significantly worse.
Itchy ears
Dogs love to have their ears scratched and while it may not appear to be harmful, it could have risky consequences if it’s non-stop. Ear mites may be the cause of the irritation, which can lead to ear infections if left to fester as well as swelling of the ear canal. This could spiral into partial deafness if unresolved for a long period.
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