As humans, we all get sick from time to time and when we do we can communicate what is ailing us.  But, when your dog gets sick it may be a little harder for them to communicate that they feel under the weather.  That is why it is important that all dog owners understand the various sign sand symptoms of illness.  Additionally, it is important to understand the difference between symptoms that necessitate immediate care vs. those that should simply be monitored for a day or two.  Many dogs will show no symptoms of illness at first so it can be hard to tell that your dog is not feeling well.  But, there are some subtle (and not so subtle) symptoms that you should keep an eye out for.  If you notice any of these signs it can never hurt to take your dog to the veterinarian just to be safe but some are sure signs you need to get your dog to the veterinarian right away and others may pass with time and rest.

You know your dog so you know what is normal for their behavior and what is not.  Any time something out of the ordinary is noticed it is a good idea to keep an eye on that behavior and see what may be causing it.  They may have simply eaten something that is upsetting their stomach or be suffering from some allergy symptoms.  But, it also could be the sign that something serious is going on.  If you notice any of the following symptoms you should keep an eye on your dog and see if they last more than a few days: lethargy, diarrhea, nasal discharge, vomiting (not excessive), poor appetite, weakness, increased salivation, increased water intake/thirst, constipation, wheezing, whimpering, limping, panting, wheezing, and increased or decreased urination.  If any of those symptoms last more than a few days or seem to worsen in severity it is probably best to take your dog to the veterinarian.

In addition to mild symptoms that may go away in a couple of days, there are more severe symptoms that necessitate an immediate visit to the veterinarian.  These symptoms include imbalance or dizziness, inability to walk, bloated abdomen, seizures, discoloration of gums or pale gums, difficulty breathing, unresponsiveness, signs of severe pain, an elevated body temperature (taken with thermometer), or collapse.  Any time you notice any symptoms that concern you, it never hurts to call your veterinarian to run the symptoms by them and ask for directions as to how to assist your dog best.  Your veterinarian may encourage you to stay home and monitor your dog or they may tell you to bring your dog in or to an emergency clinic so that they can receive any necessary treatments.

Dog may be man’s best friend and as any pet owner will tell you – dog’s provide wonderful emotional support and unconditional love.  In many ways, owning a dog is therapeutic for the owner and many dogs are trained to be therapy or service dogs as well.  While most people are familiar with service dogs for the visually impaired, dogs can be certified as therapy or service dogs for other reasons.  In fact, dogs can be service dogs that assist people in a myriad of ways that include a guide dog for the visually impaired, a hearing dog for someone that is hearing impaired or deaf, a mobility dog for someone that needs additional stability and other mobility services, a medical alert dog for someone that may have a health condition or concern and need assistance in an emergency (for example: someone with epilepsy), and a psychiatric service dog that assists people with psychiatric disorders such as anxiety, depression, or PTSD. There is a difference between a service dog and a therapy dog so it is important to understand how the two stand apart from each other, as American Kennel Club (AKC) points out, “Therapy dogs are not service dogs. Service dogs are dogs who are specially trained to perform specific tasks to help a person who has a disability. An example of a service dog is a dog who guides an owner who is blind, or a dog who assists someone who has a physical disability. Service dogs stay with their person and have special access privileges in public places such as on planes, restaurants, etc. Therapy dogs, the dogs who will be earning the AKC Therapy Dog™ title, do not have the same special access as service dogs. It is unethical to attempt to pass off a therapy dog as a service dog for purposes such as flying on a plane or being admitted to a restaurant.” In addition to providing therapeutic support to the owner, a therapy dog can also provide therapeutic support in places like hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, and schools.

For all of these services, a dog must be well trained to perform their assigned tasks.  Any dog of any breed or sizecan be a therapy dog if they have the right temperament. Therapy dogs need to be friendly, not easily frightened, will sit politely for petting, is comfortable of walking on a loose lead, can walk through crowds, follows commands, and feel comfortable in new and unknown circumstances. To be a therapy dog the dog must be current on all vaccinations and have a certificate of health from your veterinarian.  Many different organizations provide therapy dog certification and the American Kennel Club (AKC) compiled a handy list of the therapy dog certification organizations to make choosing the right one for you easy.  If you think your dog would be a great therapy dog, consider getting them formally trained so that you, your dog, and perhaps even others can enjoy a therapeutic and loving experience that only a dog can provide.