The dog doesn't eat anything and is sad. Is your dog inactive? What to do? Hormonal and nutritional problems

How can you tell if your dog is unhealthy?

There are common symptoms that help distinguish a sick animal from a healthy one. A sick dog behaves differently than a healthy dog. This is the result of the effects of the disorders caused by the disease. Sometimes different external manifestations diseases.

How does a dog's behavior change?
Often, a sick dog becomes sad and lethargic, moves less, strives to find a quiet, dark place to hide, and can hardly be called to you. The opposite behavior is just as common: the animal is extremely excited and even aggressive, whines pitifully, cannot find a place for itself, restlessly moving around the apartment. Sometimes a sick dog loses coordination of movements and becomes awkward. Does your dog have a poor appetite, drowsiness or insomnia, or does the animal get tired quickly? This may also indicate illness.

Discharge and fur
The coat of an unhealthy dog ​​becomes dull, looks disheveled, and may begin to shed heavily. The skin may change color (yellowish tint) and lose elasticity. Mucous, purulent and other discharge from the eyes, nose, mouth and other organs of the dog’s body signal diseases. Yellowish discharge appears when the liver is damaged, colorless discharge indicates the possibility of anemia, bluish discharge is a sign of dysfunction circulatory system, bloody - speak of poisoning or serious infection.

Nose, eyes and mouth: what to pay attention to?
A sick dog has a hot, dry, often cracked nose. This nose is called “asphalt”. Dry crusts form on it, and purulent mucous discharge appears from the nostrils.

The eyes of a dog suffering from the disease are often squinted, with itchy eyelids and yellowed mucous membranes. The eyelids itch, pus discharges from the eyes, and the third eyelid may close the eye halfway.

The gums and tongue of an unhealthy animal may become covered with ulcers or plaque. There is an unpleasant odor from the mouth and profuse salivation. The mucous membranes turn pale and may become yellowish or bluish.

Disorders of the digestive and genitourinary systems
Frequent companions of diseases are constipation or diarrhea, vomiting, accumulation of intestinal gases, painful defecation. Feces may contain inclusions: worms, wool and others. If your dog's feces come out with drops of blood, this is a sign serious problems with health. Black stool indicates intestinal or stomach bleeding.

A sick dog begins to urinate more often, may not hold urine, or, conversely, stop urinating altogether. The act of urination may become painful. The normal urine color (yellowish) and quantity vary. Purulent-mucous discharge from the genitals and an unpleasant smell of urine may appear. The dog may experience pain when the lower back is touched, the gait becomes stiff, and the back becomes hunched. A sweetish odor from the mouth may indicate kidney disease.

Often illnesses causing problems with the passage of food and urination, cystitis, tumor, prostate hypertrophy appear.

Breathing and lymphatic system dogs with illnesses
The frequency of breathing changes: it becomes shallow, rare (painful breathing), or, conversely, frequent. The dog coughs, barks hoarsely, and sniffles. Shortness of breath or cough appears. Shortness of breath is a frequent accompaniment of excessive physical exertion, emphysema (the result of poisoning) or pneumonia. Heartworms, anemia, pleurisy, and heart failure cause difficulty breathing. Coughing is common in older dogs with heart failure.

Lymph nodes that are enlarged in size indicate that there is an inflammatory process in the body. The brightest indicators are the lymph nodes under the jaw; you need to be able to find and palpate them.

Thirst, vomiting, jaundice and profuse salivation: what do they point to?
Increased thirst is common in dogs with dropsy, diabetes, renal failure and other kidney diseases. The dog may have a cold. If thirst is accompanied by physical weakness and unpleasant smell from the mouth, most likely the dog has uremia.

Vomiting is the result of poisoning, for example, poisonous herbs, infection with worms. Sometimes vomiting is caused by traveling in public transport. If constipation and physical weakness are observed along with vomiting, these are signs of intestinal obstruction and the presence of a foreign body in it.

Hepatitis, leptospirosis, poisoning and piroplasmosis cause yellowness of the mucous membranes.

Excessive salivation accompanies the entry of a foreign body into the dog’s esophagus, damage to the mouth and tongue, sunstroke and heatstroke, poisoning and certain liver diseases. The most terrible disease in which saliva flows profusely is rabies.

What does the dog's pose tell you?
Remember that a healthy dog ​​will sleep or rest in a relaxed position, with elongated limbs and a straightened body. A sick animal tries to take a position that will reduce painful or unpleasant sensations. To ease breathing, which is difficult due to heart disease, the dog stands with its front legs spread wide. Urolithiasis disease cause lameness on the left right back leg, depending on which kidney is diseased. If the limbs are damaged, the dog holds the injured part of the body suspended.

How can you tell if your dog is getting better?
There are many signs of disease, but usually they do not appear all at once. There is always the brightest signal of illness, surrounded by associated symptoms. Improving the well-being of the dog and its full recovery occurs when all painful manifestations of the disease disappear.

If you notice that your dog begins to behave differently, or the functioning of its organs has somehow changed, contact your veterinarian or clinic. Maybe a telephone consultation will help solve the problem. To help your dog yourself before visiting the doctor, always keep a veterinary first aid kit on hand.

Source: povodok.by

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE DOG?

Dog Owner's Veterinary Guide, 1970
By G.W. Stamm
Translation by S.G. Litvinova

It is usually easy to notice that a dog is sick, but very often it is difficult to determine what is wrong. Some people believe that it is difficult to make a diagnosis because the dog cannot tell where it hurts. But, although the dog will not tell about the symptoms, it does not give a lot of false information, as, for example, children do, in order to avoid going to school, or an old granny does, causing compassion and sympathy for their exaggerated ailments.

Difficulties in diagnosis lie in the fact that many diseases have similar symptoms, and some diseases are not always accompanied by the same symptoms. For example, fever, loss of appetite, weakness are signs of many diseases, and distemper has the most different symptoms depending on which organs are affected.

Dogs have their "days off"

Dogs, like people, have their off days. Sometimes, without any apparent reason, they don't feel well. Therefore, if your dog just lies all day, do not rush to give him any diagnosis.

And one more thing: dogs running freely on the streets often have mild stomach upsets. Sometimes they may even vomit when in good condition health. And the same thing would happen to a person if he gnawed at old bones and picked up the remains of rotten meat in garbage dumps. Therefore, do not attach too serious importance to such mild gastric disorders, if, of course, they go away safely.

What types of symptoms are there?

From a practical point of view, symptoms can be divided into three types: observable, detectable simple techniques- measuring temperature, pulse, detected only laboratory methods - chemical analysis, examination under a microscope, etc.

About temperature

Rising temperature is one of early signs acute illness caused by microbes. Of the other causes, severe injuries and tumors rank first.

A dog's normal rectal temperature is 38.8-39°C. Since a dog, unlike many other animals, does not sweat, and therefore cannot get rid of excess heat, its body temperature rises from any physical stress.

It is known, for example, that in hound dogs the temperature after running rises to 40.3°C. An increase in ambient temperature to 30°C or higher also causes an increase in the dog's body temperature. Small increase also occurs after eating. By the end of pregnancy, bitches have a higher than normal temperature. All this normal phenomena and they must be taken into account.

Signs real illness- abnormally high temperature, loss of appetite, hot dry skin, thirst, indigestion, rapid heartbeat and rapid breathing. Microbial toxins entering the bloodstream often cause bouts of chills, causing the hair to rise and the skin to become cold.

Sharp rise temperature by a few degrees, if it soon drops to normal, is less dangerous than a gradual, without decline, increase of 1.5 ° C. To make a diagnosis, it is not enough to take the temperature once. Typically measurements are taken twice a day, and acute cases- 4 times.

How to measure temperature

Shake the thermometer thoroughly and lubricate the tip with Vaseline or any other neutral ointment. Carefully insert the thermometer into anus and hold it for at least 3 minutes.

What does the pulse show?

Pulse shows the frequency, rhythm and strength of the heartbeat. All this makes it possible to judge the physical condition of the animal.

Increased heart rate is caused by temperature, inflammatory processes, hemorrhages, paralysis and disruption of the heart valves. The pulse also quickens from physical exertion, from overexcitation, from fear, heat, severe pain, when digesting food, but quickly returns to normal as soon as the effect of these factors stops.

In anemia and leukemia, the pulse is usually weak. During loss of consciousness, the pulse is almost not palpable. With meningitis and peritonitis, the pulse is usually hard, that is, the artery under the fingers is hard or does not compress at all.

A dog's normal heart rate ranges from 70-120 beats per minute, depending on age and breed. Old animals and large breeds tend to have a slower pulse than young and small ones. Thus, the normal pulse of a healthy adult Great Dane can be 60-70 beats per minute, while in an adult Pekingese it reaches 120. But in both large and small dogs, the pulse becomes sluggish in old age.

A pulse of 120 for a large woman and 180 for a small one indicates a serious illness.

How to measure your pulse

In all arteries - blood vessels, coming from the heart, the pulse beats, by which the heart rate can be measured. In dogs, the most convenient place to measure the pulse is the femoral artery; it is relatively large and easy to find. This artery runs along inner surface hind paw and can best be felt where it emerges from the groin.

Feeling with your fingers the place where the pulse beats most clearly, start counting. Do not use your thumb, as it contains its own pulse and could be mistaken for a dog's. You don't have to count a full minute. You can multiply the number of beats in half a minute by 2, or the number of beats in 15 seconds by 4.

It is often difficult to make a diagnosis

It is known that symptoms themselves are not a disease. They only indicate its existence. Diagnosis - the art of identifying a disease by its symptoms - is perhaps the most difficult task in veterinary practice. In most cases, treatment is relatively simple if the nature of the disease is precisely determined.

Only knowledge and experience can make a person a good diagnostician.
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About dog temperature

An increase in temperature is one of the early signs of an acute illness caused by microbes or severe wounds or tumors.

The normal temperature of a dog is 38.8-39 °C. Since a dog, unlike many other animals, does not sweat, and therefore cannot get rid of excess heat, its body temperature rises from any physical stress. It is known, for example, that in hound dogs the temperature after running rises to 40.3 °C. An increase in ambient temperature to 30 °C and above causes an increase in the dog’s body temperature. A slight increase in temperature also occurs after eating. By the end of pregnancy, bitches also have a higher than normal temperature. All these are normal phenomena and should be taken into account.

Signs of a real illness are high fever, loss of appetite, hot dry skin, thirst, indigestion, rapid heartbeat and rapid breathing. Microbial toxins entering the bloodstream often cause bouts of chills, causing the hair to rise and the skin to become cold.

A sharp increase in temperature of several degrees, if it soon drops to normal, is less dangerous than a gradual, without decline, increase of 1.5 ° C. To make a diagnosis, it is not enough to take the temperature once. Typically measurements are taken twice a day, and in acute cases - four times.

Source: Zoo-house

How can you tell if your dog is sick?

Most dog diseases can be cured much easier if you notice them early on. initial stage. But animals cannot tell their owner about their illness, or show what and where it hurts. How to determine that your dog is sick in order to provide timely help to your pet?
The first sign that a dog is sick is most often changes in behavior. The dog becomes lethargic, apathetic, inactive, loses interest in previously favorite games, and is reluctant to go for a walk. Often sick dogs try to hide in a dark, secluded corner, moaning or squealing. They do not respond to nicknames, and if they do, they are reluctant to get up. Sometimes the dog, on the contrary, becomes more aggressive and does not even let familiar people near it.
Another sign of illness may be loss of appetite. Although not always: sometimes dogs kept in urban environments may not eat for about a day. This is due to the fact that city dogs are sometimes overfed, and they move little, so in this way the animal simply arranges a voluntary “fasting day”. Abnormal increased appetite, by the way, may also indicate that the dog is sick.
In a sick dog, instead of being smooth and shiny, the coat becomes disheveled and dull, and the animal often loses weight during illness. You can also determine that your dog is sick by looking at his nose. In a healthy dog nose is cold and wet, and the sick one is dry and hot. But you can’t be guided only by this sign. When a dog sleeps, and also in the first minutes after waking up, its nose may be dry and hot. And at first, after the temperature rises, it sometimes remains cold.
By the way, about temperature. Normally, a dog’s body temperature is higher than that of a person and is 38-38.9°C. If your animal's body temperature is 39.5°C or higher, you should contact a veterinarian as soon as possible, because an increase in temperature may be a sign of an infectious disease.
Dogs' temperature is measured rectally. You can use a regular veterinary medical thermometer for these purposes. It needs to be lubricated with something greasy - oil, Vaseline or cream. Holding the dog in the groin area, you need to carefully insert the tip of the thermometer into the anus. This must be done very carefully and patiently. After 2-3 minutes the thermometer can be taken out.
After the procedure, you must praise and caress the dog. If she does not refuse food and there are no problems with digestion, you can treat the dog with some kind of treat - this way you will reinforce a calm reaction to measuring the temperature.
Please note that an elevated temperature does not always mean that the dog is sick. It can increase with fear and excitement, in the heat, after physical activity. So it’s best to measure the temperature of a healthy dog ​​at rest several times and then compare it with this figure.
Two more objective indicators of a dog’s health are pulse and respiratory rate. To change the pulse, you need to put your fingers on the femoral artery of the animal, it is located on inside hips. Normal pulse is 70-120 beats per minute. In large and calm dogs it may be less, and in dogs small breeds- more, reaching 160 beats per minute. Here, as with temperature, you need to compare it with your dog’s normal resting heart rate.
The breathing rate is determined by the movement of the dog's abdomen, chest, or wings of the nose. Normal indicator- 10-30 breaths per minute. Males breathe less frequently than females, and adult dogs breathe less frequently than puppies and young animals. In the heat, during overexcitation and physical exertion, breathing becomes more frequent, but in a healthy dog ​​it quickly recovers.
Signs that your dog is sick may include indigestion, diarrhea, constipation or vomiting. In principle, a minor stomach upset may simply be the result of overfeeding or eating food that is unusual for the dog. So here you need to look at the “scale of the disaster” and the presence accompanying symptoms. For example, diarrhea with blood can hardly be called a “minor disorder”.
Another sign that your dog is sick may be:
discharge from the nose, eyes and other organs (transparent mucous or purulent);
strong thirst;
dyspnea;
difficulty swallowing;
craving for eating inedible objects;
increased shedding;
yellowness or cyanosis of the skin and mucous membranes;
problems with urination, change in urine color;
unnatural pose.
In general, many of the signs that a dog is sick are the same as those in cats. These symptoms can be observed in a variety of combinations. If there is anything in your dog's appearance or behavior that worries you, it is best to contact a veterinarian as soon as possible. Many animals were saved precisely because the owner noticed in time that his dog was sick and came to the aid of his pet.

How to measure a dog's body temperature

Undoubtedly, body temperature is one of the main indicators of the body’s condition.

Many serious diseases of dogs are accompanied by an increase in temperature, and if you manage to catch the trend in time, then the chances of recovery increase many times over.

A timely diagnosis and correctly prescribed treatment will help to extinguish even the most severe diseases at the initial stage and avoid complications.

If the dog refuses food or water, if the nose becomes dry and hot, if there is lethargy, etc., then the first thing you must do is measure the temperature.

For a dog, the process of measuring temperature does not cause any particular trouble, so it will not be superfluous to accustom your pet to this simple procedure from childhood. In addition, like people, each dog’s normal temperature is individual. Therefore, the sooner you recognize it, the easier it will be to navigate in case of any troubles.

A normal temperature for dogs is considered to be between 37.5 and 39.0 °C, and the heart rate ranges from 60 to 120 beats per minute.

The temperature depends on the age of your pet (for puppies it can be half a degree higher), breed, weight, size, etc. In general, unlike people, dogs do not sweat, so in order to lower their blood temperature and get rid of excess heat, they have to stick out their tongues and breathe intensely. It follows from this that the dog’s body temperature instantly rises from any physical stress. It is also necessary to take into account that dogs do not tolerate heat well and if it is +30 °C outside the window, then the body temperature will be slightly elevated.

If signs of illness appear, measurements should be taken every hour and be sure to record the results to assess the trend.

A slow, without decline, increase in temperature by 1.5-2.0 degrees is dangerous.

You can measure your dog's temperature as usual. mercury thermometer, but this is very inconvenient, because This process will take at least three to five minutes.

The right decision would be to purchase an electronic thermometer that will belong only to your pet.

In this case, the temperature measurement process will take only a minute, and when it is completed, the thermometer will notify you about this with a sound signal.

So: lubricate the tip of the thermometer with Vaseline or cream, lay the dog on its side, lift the tail with your left hand, grasping its base confidently, but not roughly. Right hand, - carefully insert the thermometer into the rectum to a depth of 1.5-2.0 centimeters. Wait 3-5 minutes if using a mercury thermometer or wait for a sound signal if the thermometer is electronic.

During the procedure, talk kindly to the dog. Come up with a non-standard command for this case, for example, “he is being treated,” and before the procedure, be sure to give it, and at the end, for your patience, reward your pet with a treat every time.

Disinfect the thermometer by washing it thoroughly with soap

The owner's “handicrafts” or manipulations when helping a dog
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Quite often this situation happens: a pet is sick, first aid is provided, treatment is prescribed and.. and then there is a choice.. either go to the veterinarian for each injection/call to the house or look for someone who knows how to give injections. What if the injections are scheduled by the hour? What if you also monitor the temperature? What about an enema? And then many people start to get scared. But in vain. Even as a child, I was told that a person is usually afraid of what he does not know. Therefore, you need to understand the sequence of actions in different situations. And think not about what you can’t do, but about the fact that tomorrow this knowledge can in a critical situation or already at home treatment save the life of a dog, your own or someone else's.
Let's consider the most common manipulations that it is advisable to be able to perform independently, without consulting a doctor. 1. Measuring the dog's body temperature.
As in humans, an increase in body temperature is a serious cause for concern. In the case of a dog, you need to keep the following in mind: body temperature is considered normal from 37.5 to 39 degrees Celsius; in puppies it can be half a degree higher. Just like a person, normal temperature body is individual, and, in addition, depends on age, breed, weight; the dog’s body temperature rises at high air temperatures, as well as under the influence of physical activity, etc. Therefore, it would be useful to find out the value of normal temperature specifically for your pet, and not wait until a critical situation and focus on average indicators. And for this you need to measure the temperature. As with nail trimming, it is advisable to accustom your dog to taking temperature measurements from puppyhood. Special problems The dog does not benefit from this procedure. The choice of a thermometer (conventional (mercury) or electronic) is up to the owner. A mercury thermometer takes a little longer to measure temperature.
Let's move on to measurement. To do this, you need to lubricate the tip of the thermometer with Vaseline, lay the dog on its side, raise the tail with your left hand, grasping its base. This must be done confidently, but not rudely. With your right hand, carefully insert the thermometer to a depth of 2 cm into the rectum and wait (or the allotted time for measuring mercury thermometer, and with rectal measurement it is shortened, or the signal of an electronic thermometer). We remove the thermometer, disinfect it, and it is advisable to record the results. It is possible to train a dog to follow a specific command for measuring temperature, followed by rewarding it with a treat for correct behavior.
2. Measurement of respiratory rate.
It's pretty simple. The owner, armed with a stopwatch, times 1 minute and counts the number of breaths during this time. The breathing rate can be detected by the rise/fall of the chest, abdomen, or the movement of the wings of the nose. The norm is 10-30 times per minute. Don't forget that small dogs breathe more often, unlike large ones.
3. Pulse measurement.
The pulse is best felt on the femoral artery - on the inner part of the thigh, approximately in the middle, an elastic cord is felt upon palpation. You can also listen to your heartbeat by placing your palm on the chest From the left side. The norm for a healthy dog ​​is 70 – 120 beats per minute. As with the respiratory rate, small breeds have a higher pulse rate.
4. Cleansing enema.
Let me make a reservation right away: in this article I will only explain the standard mechanism of action. Medications and other details should be discussed with your doctor. For example, the volume of the enema, medications, the number of washes, the position of the dog during the enema - all this may vary depending on the specific case. Mostly, cleansing enema placed in case of poisoning or constipation. Average sizes: small pears - for dogs with small stature, pears 200-300 grams for dogs, approximately the size of a spaniel, for large dogs You can use Esmarch's mug. Before the procedure, the pear (or the tip, in the case of Esmarch’s mug) is sterilized (boiled). The water for the enema should be boiled and at a temperature of 25-30 degrees. Typically, the dog is in a lateral position. After filling the bulb with liquid, it must be slightly squeezed to release excess air. When the excess air comes out, water will flow out of the pear slightly. Next, the enema tip is lubricated with Vaseline and, as in point 1 “measuring the dog’s body temperature,” is inserted into the rectum. Cannot be done sudden movements neither when inserting the bulb, nor when introducing liquid - extremely smooth, soft movements.
5. How to induce vomiting.
This is an alternative action in case of poisoning or, if necessary, remove ingested small foreign body. I emphasize that if a dog has swallowed something large, it is strictly forbidden to induce vomiting (possible suffocation) or give a laxative. To induce vomiting in a dog, it is enough to either give it something to drink a large number of water (this is a gentle method) or, if more is needed emergency measures, drink a solution of 1 teaspoon from a syringe (without a needle) table salt half a liter warm boiled water.
6. Injections.
For most owners, this is the worst thing. In addition to understanding the very essence of the process, you need to remember a number of simple and logical rules: always wash your hands thoroughly with soap before taking the injection and giving the injection itself; check the expiration dates of syringes and medical supplies; Before administering the injection, be sure to read the instructions for the medication, which may indicate the duration of administration, dosage, contraindications and side effects.
Let's start with the most difficult ones - intravenous injections. I’ll say right away that I won’t describe these injections here and I don’t recommend them to you. These are injections for specialists. Profanity here is very dangerous.
The most common - intramuscular injections. You can and should be able to do them yourself. You can do it to any large muscle, I like it most to the hind leg, and more specifically, to the thigh. What exactly I like about this particular muscle: there is room for maneuver when holding a dog in place that does not like injections, the muscle is large and can be easily felt. The simplest thing, during a normal, regular visit to your veterinarian, is to ask him to show you how the muscle on the thigh is identified. Once you feel it, you will already know the right feeling. Or, as an option, palpate the thigh in advance healthy dog. The easiest way is to grab your thigh with both hands on both sides and gradually move closer to the center. There is no need to apply force, act easily and quickly - it is hardly possible to miss such a muscle. With an intramuscular injection, the needle is inserted into the muscle 2/3 of the length into the area located between the knee and hip joints. It's important not to get caught sciatic nerve or large blood vessel.
Subcutaneous injections. This is the simplest type - the most convenient - to inject into the withers area, lifting the skin in this area with your left hand. The injection is made at the bottom of this skin fold and along its direction at a slight angle, so that the needle penetrates deeply under the skin. Despite the apparent detail of the above, I once again advise you, before the need arises, to consult with your doctor, simultaneously clarifying all the questions that you have as you read. Perhaps by printing out this material and supplementing it with the notes that the attending physician will give (the size of the pear and the volume of the enema, the normal body temperature of your dog, as well as the pulse and breathing rate), in order to create a “cheat sheet” for yourself in case You need to act calmly and quickly, which is not helped by remembering notes or frantically searching for the right page on the Internet.
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Almost every dog ​​owner experiences problems with their dog's health during the life of their pet. Self-medication can lead to very unpleasant consequences. Without placing correct diagnosis, you can not only not cure the underlying disease, but also aggravate it by adding others to it. Therefore, if you have any problems, you should call the veterinarian you trust, and sometimes several, if the diagnosis seems doubtful or the treatment does not help. However, there are cases when minutes and hours count, and emergency assistance The owner must provide it on the spot, before going to the veterinarian or calling him at home.
Let's look at the main signs that a dog needs urgent help, as well as the owner’s procedure in these cases.

Difficult, hoarse breathing of the dog, shortness of breath. If your dog is standing in an unusual position, for example, the neck is stretched out or the dog cannot lie down, is restless, makes some unusual sounds (whistles, wheezing) when breathing, if breathing is frequent or difficult, if the dog makes an effort when inhaling or exhaling - this is cause for concern. Any difficulty breathing in dogs can become life-threatening, especially if the gums and lips become discolored. purple, and breathing is even more difficult and frequent. In this case, the veterinarian may simply not have time. What help can be provided in this case? Calm the dog, try to avoid overheating and physical exertion, open the window for oxygen flow. There is no need to try to force the dog down or give it water - this can be dangerous to its health. It is necessary to check whether there is a foreign body in the oral cavity or visible part of the upper respiratory tract. The dog must be taken to the doctor immediately. On the way, remember if there were any injuries or bruises (perhaps a damaged lung), when these symptoms appeared, if the dog could have swallowed something dangerous or choked on something (including food).

Blue mucous membranes and tongue. Scientifically this is called “cyanosis”. This symptom can signal various diseases. What the owner needs to know: if the mucous membranes are blue, it means that the blood is not saturated with oxygen to the required extent. In normal condition, the mucous membranes of the eyes, mouth, gums and lips are pink. Cyanosis is a symptom of such terrible diseases, such as pneumothorax, pulmonary edema, congenital heart disease, hypertrophy velum, tracheal collapse, poisoning, etc. in this case We don’t waste time, we need to get the dog to the clinic as quickly as possible. Calling a doctor to your home can only result in a waste of time. Since it will most likely be necessary additional examination, and possibly surgery.

Cough. It can have a lot of reasons: a foreign body in the throat, injury to the throat mucosa, respiratory diseases and much more. What are we doing? First, we examine the oral cavity and visible upper respiratory tract. Then we measure the dog's body temperature. Determine the nature of the cough (dry, wet, barking, loud, presence or absence of sputum), and also pay attention to the dog’s behavior during coughing. Remember as much as possible what preceded the coughing attack - perhaps the dog choked, inhaled dust, perhaps there was a fever before that. All collected information will significantly reduce the time for diagnosis. If your dog, in addition to coughing, has bleeding from the nose or mouth, or symptoms from points 1 or 2, you should visit a doctor immediately.

Snake bite. This information will be relevant for those who like to take their pet with them on walks in the forest, to the country, as well as for hunters. So, how can you suspect that a bite took place? Basically, a dog can get bitten on the nose, upper lip, and front paws. If the dog is limping, if there is swelling of the muzzle, especially the lips, the dog is worried and it is clear that it is in pain, there is Great chance snake bite. The dog should be examined, although it is very difficult to see a bite on unshaven skin. Usually the lesion looks like 2 red dots on a swollen area of ​​skin. It's at an early stage. If your suspicions become stronger, it is necessary to limit the dog’s movement; if a limb is affected, it is a good idea to tape it loosely to a splint. Veterinarians advise administering prednisolone intramuscularly at a dose of 1-2 mg per kg of body weight, some antihistamine in tablets or solution, for example suprastin at a dose of 0.5 mg/kg per dose, and analgin 50% intramuscularly at a dose of 1 mg/kg. If possible, call your veterinarian, he may change the medications. There are breeds that are more prone to the risk of poisoning, these are Molossians, as well as breeds with light skin. In any case, I would not experiment with your dog’s sensitivity, but would go to the clinic.

Tick ​​bite. We have already talked about this in the article “Caution!!! Ticks!”, I would especially like to note the need to monitor the condition of the dog if you have removed an attached tick. At the slightest change in the dog’s condition, it is worth measuring the temperature and also taking tests for piroplasmosis.

Sudden swelling of the muzzle, blistering of the skin. These symptoms most often indicate an allergic reaction or Quincke's edema. An allergy can occur to almost any substance that a dog comes into contact with. In this case, it would be a good idea to eliminate the allergen, and you also need to contact a veterinarian who will rule out other diseases with similar manifestations and prescribe treatment.

Hypothermia. When hypothermia occurs, the dog's body temperature drops below 37.5°C. When hypothermia occurs, the dog tries to curl up in a ball, lie down in a warm place, muscle tremors may appear, and the skin becomes cooler due to vasoconstriction. If hypothermia occurs, the dog is transferred to warm room, wrap them up, you can cover them with heating pads or bottles of water heated to 40°C, you need to give them warm liquids to drink, and monitor changes in body temperature. If the temperature drops below 36°C, an urgent visit to the doctor is necessary.

Frostbite. Despite the fact that the dog’s fur protects him well, at low temperatures his limbs, ears and the tip of his tail can freeze. And if the dog gets wet at low temperatures, no amount of wool will warm him up. Initially, the skin exposed to frostbite is cold, later redness and inflammation develop, pain appears, and even later total loss sensitivity. The principles of first aid in such a situation are similar for all warm-blooded animals: wrap them up, warm them up. However, you should not folk technique rub frostbitten areas, especially with alcohol. It is much more effective to apply gauze bandage from 7-10 layers of gauze. Then the process of warming the frostbitten area will slow down, which is more beneficial for the dog’s health, and the rest of the body will warm up more intensely. If the body temperature drops and the dog is unconscious, it needs to be wrapped in a warm blanket, apply heating pads with water at about 40°C, avoiding insulating frostbitten areas, and immediately go to the veterinarian.

Heatstroke. This is a state of overheating in a dog when its body temperature rises above 40.5°C. This usually happens if the dog is left in a closed car, or in another place where, at high temperatures, it is difficult to find shade. Such cases are very common at exhibitions. It's harder for a dog to cool down than for a person - sweat glands they are located on the pads of their paws, so when overheated, the animal often breathes to cool itself. Let's add to this “walking in a fur coat” in winter and summer. If you know that an animal may have overheated and observe a high temperature, rapid breathing, redness of mucous membranes - you need to use first aid for heat stroke. I emphasize - if it is known that the dog is overheated. Because, for example, if a dog just has a fever, it could be a completely different disease in which it is impossible to cool the dog. What should an owner do in case of heatstroke? You need to gradually cool the pet - move it to a cool place, moisten the fur with water, apply cool compresses to the armpits and inner thighs.

Eye injuries. This, unfortunately, is a very common occurrence. If your pet suddenly closes his eye, if purulent or tear discharge, there is cause for concern. It is necessary to examine the surface of the eye - perhaps a foreign body has entered. An unevenness may appear on the cornea, its shiny surface - this also indicates an injury. In cases of eye injury, in order to avoid loss of the latter, you should consult a doctor. Before visiting a doctor, you can wash your eyes and mucous membranes with boiled water or furatsilin solution from a syringe (without a needle). Antibiotics include Tobrex and Normax eye drops. Drops that contain corticosteroids for self-medication are prohibited! If one eye suddenly enlarges in relation to the other, or if it falls out eyeball, an urgent visit to the doctor is necessary.

Electric shock. A very common injury in young, curious dogs. Also, when walking with your pet, you should be careful when passing by street stalls, construction sites, etc. – there is a high probability of power supply wires being abandoned nearby. The most common symptoms are burn marks, loss of consciousness, and convulsions. What to do? Let's remember school first aid lessons. You need to unplug the cord from the outlet (carefully so as not to get hurt yourself), remove the wire from the dog’s mouth (use non-conducting objects, such as wood), examine the animal’s mouth, pull out the tongue, make sure that breathing is not difficult, feel for the presence of a pulse on the inner thigh. If there is no breathing, start artificial respiration, and in the absence of heart contractions - cardiac massage. The dog urgently needs to be taken to veterinary clinic. That's not all possible situations that your pet can get into. But we hope the above information will equip you. We hope you never have to put this knowledge into practice! Link to

An owner who carefully watches his four-legged pet can easily notice if the dog is trembling and lethargic. This may be caused by normal physiological reasons such as cold or stress, or more serious associated various diseases. In the first case, the symptoms disappear after eliminating their source, but the second case requires more careful monitoring of the pet, and in some cases even contacting a veterinarian.

Trembling in a dog can be caused by the animal being cold. Frequent trembling (tremor) is especially characteristic of small decorative dogs: Chihuahuas, Italian Greyhounds, Yorkshire terriers and Spitz. The reasons here are simple - it is a natural reaction to the cold. The body of these dogs is too small, and in order to warm up, it is necessary to speed up the blood flow, and shivering helps to avoid excessive hypothermia.

In this situation, you need to take care of warm clothes for your pet, which they put on before going outside. In late autumn, winter, early spring, when walking, it is best to use insulated overalls, a sweater, a blanket, etc. If it’s cold in the house, you need to turn on the heater and insulate the dog’s sleeping area with a blanket or thin mattress. A dog that gets wet in the rain should be dried with a hairdryer and covered with a blanket. On a trip or a long walk, you can pick up a frozen animal and hold it close to you.

Dogs shaking in fear or feeling stressed are also not uncommon. Reasons for failure psycho-emotional state the pet may be hidden in fear of a larger relative or excitement associated with punishment for misconduct, natural phenomena (thunder, lightning). Such fears are especially common in small dogs and puppies. If the puppy has his tail between his legs and is shaking slight trembling Most likely, he is scared of something or someone, or is afraid of punishment. Positive emotions can also cause trembling with joyful excitement in anticipation of a game or treat.

In such cases, it is important to calm the dog with petting and calm speech. If possible, you should try to protect your pet from unnecessary stress or use mild sedatives.

Hormonal and nutritional problems

The causes of tremors in pets may lie in hormonal imbalances in the animal’s body: during estrus in females and rutting in males, excitability increases. The problem resolves with the end of this period, and if desired, it can be eliminated by castration.

Often, animals whose diet has changed or are taking medications have an allergic reaction to new foods and medications, which can also cause trembling. This reaction is also caused by poisoning, which in addition to trembling is accompanied by nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, apathy, and lethargy.

Foods or medications that cause similar phenomena, and if necessary, give antihistamines and show the animal to a veterinarian.

When is a visit to the vet necessary?

Why is the dog shaking, not eating anything, tucking its tail, lethargic and apathetic? Most likely the reason lies in viral disease. It could be: parvovirus enteritis, adenovirus, panleukopenia (plague), infectious hepatitis, leptospirosis and the like. This is very dangerous situations when it is necessary to examine the animal by a veterinarian and prescribe timely treatment.

Often, shaking limbs and tremors throughout the body are associated with pain experienced by the animal. Older dogs shake hind legs for rheumatic pain. Perhaps the animal was injured or bitten while walking. In such cases, the dog usually whines, lies on the ground and does not want to move. A thorough examination at a veterinary clinic or at home is necessary.

In small dogs, a fairly common cause of trembling and lethargy is hypoglycemia (lack of blood sugar). Most often, tremors of the pelvic limbs are noted. It is necessary to contact a veterinary clinic for testing. If detected in time, the disease is treated with glucose injections.

Trembling in dogs can be caused by the presence of certain internal diseases:

1. Pneumonia. The dog is shaking violently, it is noted moist cough, heat.
2. Diseases of cardio-vascular system. Trembling, shortness of breath, dry cough, lethargy, fatigue.
3. Nervous diseases. Excitement, trembling, intestinal upset, loss of appetite.
4. Dysfunction thyroid gland(hypothyroidism). Lethargy, apathy and trembling are some of the symptoms of a lack of essential hormones.
5. Hypokalemia. Marked muscle weakness, cramps and pain.

All these diseases require a thorough examination of the animal by a veterinarian, donation of blood for biochemical analysis and prescription of the necessary treatment. Depending on the identified problems, specific therapy and treatment are carried out viral infections, renal failure, spine, removal of tumors and hernias and the like. Contraindicated for a sick pet physical exercise and a balanced diet is recommended.

Dogs are animals that prefer active image life. They always enjoy walks fresh air and new games. That's why if the dog is lethargic and sleeps constantly t, then this should alert the owner and serve as a signal to immediately contact a veterinary clinic.

Natural lethargy in a dog

There are several natural causes of lethargy in dogs, which are not serious and can be easily eliminated:

• When a dog lacks vitamins, it becomes passive. The natural treatment in this case is to replenish the vitamin deficiency.
• If dog lies limp, then this may be evidence of simple boredom itself. The danger of this phenomenon is that boredom can develop into depression, which is difficult to treat. Try to pay more attention to your pet.
• Old age is common cause that the dog is lethargic, doesn't drink, refuses food. You can try special games for older dogs, but if this does not help, then all you can do is accept natural aging and support your friend.

Lethargy in a dog as a symptom of a disease

Usually, if a dog is sick, lethargy is accompanied by additional symptoms, for example, a disease is indicated by the fact that the dog does not eat or drink, is lethargic and almost does not react to external stimuli.

Hypoglycemia - lack of sugar - is one of the common reasons why the dog is lethargic. The animal simply does not have the strength for an active lifestyle. The disease is quite easily treated in the early stages, but in an “advanced” state it can cause seizures and loss of coordination of the animal in space.

If the dog is not eating and is lethargic in the spring and summer, you should check your pet for tick infestation. Piroplasmosis can lead to liver failure and death of the animal.Various infectious diseases are a common reason why the dog is lethargic, sleeping constantly and refuses to eat.

What to do if the dog is lethargic?!

If the dog is lethargic due to illness, only an experienced veterinarian can carry out a competent diagnosis.

Therefore, it is very important to bring the animal to a veterinary clinic or call a veterinarian at home as soon as possible. Remember that your quick reaction can save the life of your four-legged friend.

Update: April 2019

Lack of appetite and apathy are signals that your pet’s health needs to be addressed. increased attention. If the dog is lethargic and does not eat anything, you need to try to quickly find out the cause of this condition, because... Symptoms that seem harmless at first glance may hide serious illnesses. So why doesn't the dog eat?

When hunger is considered as normal

At the slightest change in your pet’s appetite, you should not rush to the veterinarian to find out why. There are a number of reasons why starvation is considered an option physiological norm. Everything the owner can do below listed conditions– wait for time, observing the pet’s condition.

• Estrus, second half of pregnancy and childbirth. During this period, the dog experiences changes in its hormone levels, which can affect its appetite. There is a chance that during this period the animal will seem somewhat exhausted. Also, when eating an afterbirth after birth, the dog becomes hungry no earlier than after 5-8 hours. If nothing bothers you other than the lack of appetite, there is no need to interfere with the process; it is enough to observe so that new symptoms do not appear until appetite normalizes;
• Oversupply nutrients. The dog is able to sense the abundance of essential nutrients in the body, which do not need to be replenished. During such periods, the dog feels great, even when he does not eat. There is no need to force you to eat!
• During illness. Very often during the treatment period the dog loses its appetite. If, in the absence of appetite, the animal continues to recover, then there is no point in force-feeding or using IVs.
• Stress and blues. Dogs are sensitive to change weather conditions, change of situation or owner, may have Bad mood and mope. This causes periodic hunger. Lack of appetite for such reasons does not last long, but even in this state the dog does not refuse special treats. But overfeeding during such a period delicious food not recommended, because blues and stress can turn into picky eating.
• Pickiness. When feeding an animal delicious treats(meat or special food for dogs, which is made with flavor enhancers), then it will completely refuse regular food (porridge, soups, etc.).
• Teething. Teething in small puppies is often accompanied by unpleasant sensations when eating. Small dogs can chew everything around to relieve their condition, but will refuse food.
• Hot weather . Very often, in hot weather, dogs try to drink more and eat less. In hot weather, it is considered normal if the dog only drinks but does not eat. At a comfortable temperature, appetite returns and does not require any intervention.
• Old age. An elderly dog ​​often refuses food in anticipation of its own death.

Possible causes of lack of appetite accompanied by health problems

The most common reasons why a dog is lethargic and does not eat anything include:

• Dental problems and oral diseases. If any discomfort occurs when eating food, the dog will subsequently refuse to eat (broken or loose teeth, mouth injuries, stomatitis). You can notice how the dog approaches the food, seems to start eating, but then stops and doesn’t touch the food anymore.
• Any ear diseases . Ear infections are always accompanied by unpleasant sensations, and sometimes pain, when chewing or when you need to chew something.
• Chemotherapy for oncological diseases significantly reduces appetite.
• Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract(enteritis, volvulus or intussusception, gastritis and ulcerative lesions stomach or intestines, blockage of the stomach or intestines).
• Foreign body in the dog's mouth or esophagus.
• Any pain syndrome . If the dog long time experiences painful sensations of various etiologies, most often there will be a complete absence of appetite. The following are signs that a dog is feeling pain: trembling, difficulty breathing, a hunched back, the dog tries to move less.
• Any infectious viral or bacterial diseases accompanied by an increase in body temperature. If the overall body temperature has risen, the dog will drink more, and the appetite will be reduced or disappear completely.
• Post-traumatic shock. If the dog has received numerous injuries and has lost a lot of blood, then, naturally, there can be no talk of any appetite.
• Drug therapy. With individual sensitivity to some drugs, loss of appetite may develop due to excessive exposure of the liver and stomach.

If the dog does not eat, is lethargic and... (example reasons for additional symptoms)

If the lack of appetite is accompanied by lethargy, elevated body temperature, trembling, thirst, changes in the color of mucous membranes and skin, vomiting and diarrhea are obvious signs health problems. The owner of the dog can only guess what happened to the pet; only a veterinary specialist can make an accurate diagnosis.

To do this, the veterinarian conducts a clinical examination and:

• laboratory blood and urine tests;
• X-ray;
• Ultrasound of internal organs;
• endoscopy.

If the dog is lethargic, does not eat anything and...

How to restore your pet's appetite?

1. Eliminate the root cause, which is accompanied by loss of appetite: problems in the oral cavity or cure the underlying disease.
2. If your dog is stressed or depressed, you need to try to spend more time on it, pet it, and soothe it with a gentle voice. With enough attention, the dog will return to its previous appetite fairly quickly.
3. If food refusal accompanies a change in diet, then it is recommended to return to the same food and move to the new diet slowly, gradually introducing new ingredients.
4. If you refuse to eat due to whims and pickiness, you should start feeding the dog strictly at the same time, and with each refusal to eat, the bowl of food should be removed. With a healthy, short-term hunger, the dog will eat everything that is offered to it.
5. There is no need to leave food for the whole day or all night after feeding to prevent the food from souring, why is the dog will also refuse it.
6. No need to make up for missed feedings increased amount food at the next meal.
7. Active walks before feeding increase appetite.
8. On the recommendation of a doctor, you can stimulate your appetite with special veterinary drugs(Enervita, Gamavit, Aminovit, etc.) or herbal decoctions (wormwood and dandelion).
9. If the dog is poisoned and does not eat anything, you should start with a starvation diet and classical detoxification therapy, followed by a gradual restoration of appetite.
10. At individual reaction For some medications, consultation with a doctor is required regarding the issue of discontinuing the drug, which provokes a decrease in appetite, or replacing it with a more gentle one.

An attentive owner will always notice that something is wrong with his dog and will understand whether these changes are temporary, or whether things are much more serious. Competent observation of the pet, the ability to notice nuances and timely delivery of the animal to the veterinarian is the key to a quick cure and return to the dog’s previous lifestyle.

About your health pet can be judged by external signs, by his behavior and the appetite with which he eats. If a dog has become lethargic, as a rule, at the same time as this symptom, it also experiences a loss of interest in food. In the case when this happens, there can be several reasons, from the most harmless to those that are fraught with serious consequences.

Almost any disease in a dog is associated with loss of appetite. The animal feels unwell, lethargic, and may have pain, nausea, and depression.

• Certain foods or their form may cause discomfort.
• For example, if there is a rash on the oral mucosa, it is painful for a dog to eat dry food.
• Abdominal pain, which the dog may associate with the food he last ate, can also interfere with eating.
• Some medications or treatments, such as chemotherapy, cause nausea. In this case, refusal to eat becomes not a symptom of the disease, but a consequence of treatment.
• Some medications, such as antibiotics, can cause liver discomfort and abdominal irritation. Reluctance to eat in a dog can cause any type of pain: from a wound, in the joints, after surgery. In such a situation, the dog always looks lethargic.

If you are walking with your pet in the summer and suddenly he becomes lethargic, lies down on the grass, the dog is breathing heavily, and at home refuses his usual food, he may have experienced heatstroke.

Lethargy with a simultaneous lack of appetite can serve as signs of illness in many living creatures, including dogs.

But you can observe these symptoms in a healthy animal if, for example, the dog walked for a long time and ran a lot in hot weather, and bitches are characterized by a decrease in appetite and some lethargy during the period of estrus.

But there is more dangerous reasons, due to which the dog may become less active, therefore it is necessary to control the animal’s behavior and pay attention to changes in its eating habits. So, in spring period multiple tick bites can cause this dangerous disease, like piroplasmosis. It is characterized by rapid destruction of the liver, so in these cases, delay is really like death.

When the dog becomes lethargic, refuses to eat, and the color of the urine begins to darken, you should immediately take it to the veterinarian. One of the characteristic signs of piroplasmosis is high temperature - above 40 0 ​​C; in dogs it is measured rectally. Ticks are especially dangerous in late spring and late summer-early autumn.

Another one dangerous disease- plague. From the first days the animal becomes lethargic, as the temperature rises to 40 0 ​​C and higher. May be affected nervous system or the disease affects the gastrointestinal tract. From time to time, the dog's body experiences convulsions, and catarrh of the upper respiratory tract may begin, in which fluid is constantly released from the nose, causing the dog anxiety - it begins to scratch its nose with its paws.

Lethargy may be caused by stomatitis or other gum infections. His characteristic features are sores, small boils and red spots in the dog’s mouth and gums. Ear infections, which are accompanied by discharge that has an unpleasant odor, also gives the dog an unpleasant sensation and it becomes lethargic, loses the desire to play and run. Such infections are also dangerous because, unknowingly, you can grab the dog by the sore ear and cause an involuntary aggressive reaction in it. Therefore, pay attention if the dog begins to shake its head, tilts it in one direction or the other, and whines if its ears are touched.

Ear infections may be signs of allergies caused by food sensitivities or atopic dermatitis. In this case, the dog should be transferred to a special hypoallergenic food and consult a veterinarian who will select her diet. However, in all of the above cases, you should not self-medicate, but show the animal to a veterinarian as soon as possible.