Should I Take My Dog to the Vet?

Just like us humans, our pups are always getting into trouble. They might get a scratch, have a cold, or break a nail. So, when does an injury or issue go from minor to major? Here are some signs that your pup will need to take a visit to the vet. 

Frequent or Severe Vomiting

If your pup throws up their meal after dinner or gets an upset stomach in the morning, this isn't cause for much alarm. Much like humans, dogs just sometimes get an upset stomach if they eat too fast or it's been too long since they've eaten.

However, cause for concern should come if this vomiting is a daily or more-than-daily occurrence. You should also call the vet if they have a fever upon vomiting or if there is any blood in their vomit. 

Cloudy or Red Eyes

While the occasional eye booger is normal, excessively cloudy or red eyes can be a warning sign. If your dog's eyes have sudden discharge or are very watery, this might mean that they might have an eye infection.

If it's more than your dog's usual eye boogies, give your vet a call. Eye infections can happen fast and get serious, possibly causing permanent blindness. 

Profusely Bleeding Wounds

Dogs can get all kinds of scrapes, cuts, and bites from playing outside or roughhousing with canine and feline siblings. A small cut won't be dangerous to your pup as long as the bleeding isn't constant. Be sure that your pup isn't licking it too much, either, as this can cause irritation and infection. 

However, if your dog has a wound that is profusely or excessively bleeding, this is when you should call your vet. The bleeding might be indicative of another problem, or it might mean that the cut is deeper than it looks and might cause your dog to lose too much blood. 

Frequent or Violent Coughing

Sometimes your dog just needs to clear their throat, and in that case, a canine cough isn't a problem. If they just have a light cough or something briefly stuck in their throat, it doesn't need to be a vet issue. 

If your dog is coughing nonstop or coughing violently, this is when you would want to call your vet to get them checked out. Violent coughing can mean that they have anything from kennel cough to pneumonia to a bacterial infection, which can all be dangerous. 

When it comes down to it, momma and poppa know best! If you can sense that something is wrong with your pup, then you shouldn't hesitate to call your vet. It's always better to be safe than sorry!