This column originally was published in the Tribune on Oct. 27, 2003.
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There are "signs" of disease that dog and cat owners should be aware of.
These are commonly referred to as "symptoms," but technically, symptoms are the things the patient reports ("I have this pain in the neck, Doc ...") while "signs" are abnormal things that become apparent even if the patient doesn't, or can't, report them.
A dog can't say "I have this pain in the neck" but if the dog holds his neck rigid and yelps when you try to bend it, that's a "sign" of neck pain. Here are some "signs" of disease you can watch for in your pet.
Pain. If your dog cries or your cat bites you when you touch him, that usually means something is wrong. Should you call the vet? First, think about other signs. If he is eating, drinking, pooping and peeing, and walking around, then you can probably wait until tomorrow.
Vomiting and/or diarrhea. If he vomits once or twice, and maybe has diarrhea the next day, but seems OK otherwise, there may be hope that "this too shall pass." If in doubt, call the vet.
Coughing. At the first cough, look and make sure he is breathing OK. If he coughs again, start watching his appetite, and those other bodily functions too. If the cough is severe, or persists more than a couple of days, call your vet.
Limping. If your dog comes home carrying a hind leg and refuses to tell you where he's been or what happened, you may want to get a prompt veterinary exam, even if it means paying an emergency fee in the middle of the night.
It could be a hip out of joint and the chances of a successful treatment for that are much greater if it is treated within a few hours. It is also an emergency if there is an open wound, especially with bones sticking out. Most other limps can wait until morning, or even a day or two, if money is tight.
Bleeding wounds. If you want to have "a few stitches" put in, they should be put in within hours. Not all wounds need to be sutured, and "a few stitches" can be surprisingly expensive. But, if a wound is bleeding "a lot" at least call the vet.
"Constipation." It can be difficult to be sure from just looking whether a dog or cat is constipated, or is straining because of soreness due to diarrhea, or can't pee. "Can't pee" is the most urgent of these, and can be life threatening, whereas the other two can usually wait until morning. If you can't tell for sure, call your vet.
Increased Water Consumption. This is rarely an emergency unless the animal shows other signs of illness, but it is a very commonly overlooked early warning sign of several diseases.
Diabetes, kidney failure, and an infection in the uterus are just three diseases that can cause this sign. There are many others. If your pet starts drinking noticeably more water than usual, make an appointment with your vet.
Weight Loss. Like increased water consumption, this is a subjective thing, and can sneak up on you. One day your friends come to visit, and say, "Boy, ol' Fido sure looks skinny."
If in doubt, weigh your pet today, write it on the calendar, and weigh him again in a couple of weeks.
These are just a few of the common signs every pet owner should be aware of. This list may help, but the bottom line is, use your common sense and if in doubt, call your vet.
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Roen is a retired Clarkston veterinarian whose columns were published weekly in the Lewiston Tribune for more than 30 years. He may be contacted at jazzvet@cableone.net.
