Resources › Is Your Pet Sick? Questions to ask yourself
Here are some useful questions to ask yourself if you think your pet needs medical attention.
- What does your pet normally eat?
- Is your pet current on vaccines?
- Is your pet on heartworm prevention?
- Is your pet spayed or neutered?
- What medications is your pet is currently taking, including supplements of any kind and over-the-counter medications?
- Has your pet had problems with any of the following? If so, make a note to discuss with your veterinarian:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Coughing
- Sneezing
- Limping
- Stiffness, soreness, trouble on slick floors or stairs?
- Bad breath
- Visible tartar on teeth
- Pawing at ears or eyes
- Excessive licking or chewing of feet or flanks or tail
- Shaking head
- Runny or bloodshot eyes?
- One eye seems larger than the other
- Places of hair loss
- Dander, dandruff, dry skin
- Spots on skin
- Bleeding or Bruising
- Trouble urinating
- Drinking more or less water than usual
- Changes in appetite (More hungry? Less hungry?)
- Weight gain or loss?
- Hair "unkept"
- Less active or less alert than normal
- Seems not to hear as well (doesn't hear the garage door when you come in, for example)
- Pain when you touch any area
- Any lumps or bumps that you've noticed?
- If your pet has had a particular problem you've been noticing, ask yourself these questions:
- When did you first notice it?
- is it getting better or worse?
- If vomiting or diarrhea, estimate the frequency (twice a day, 10 times a day?) and a description (color, consistency, etc.) and if you have seen any blood?