Arlington Pet Care: What to Do When Your Pet is Sick

One of the most stressful parts of pet care is figuring out what to do for your beloved animal when he or she is sick. Unfortunately, when they are listless or vomiting, or showing other symptoms of illness, sick animals can't tell us what is wrong. We are left to determine what is going on using the physical signs that your pet is unwell.

How to Care for Sick Animals

Some illnesses can be handled at home, but others require treatment by a veterinarian in our office. For instance, occasional bouts of vomiting are normal in cats. However, if your animal vomits repeatedly, or if the vomit is black, filled with mucus, or has blood in it, your pet needs to come to our clinic for treatment. Throwing up can be caused by an infection, a metabolic problem, a digestive problem, or more serious maladies such as heart worms or cancer.

If your pet seems unusually clumsy, or seems disoriented, this can be a sign of an ear infection, neurological problems or liver problems. Bring your pet to our veterinary office so we can determine what is wrong and start treatment.

Changes in urination are also signs that something is wrong with your pet. Urinating more frequently can be a sign of kidney problems or crystals in the urine. If your pet is having trouble urinating, this is a reason to come to our veterinarian office right away. There may be crystals, a tumor or something else blocking the urethra. An inability to void urine is a serious problem that can cause serious or deadly complications if not treated promptly.

In any case, if your animal is ill, it's best to visit our office right away. Diagnosing a problem early is one of the best ways to help your pet get well again.

How did our clinic help you and your furry friend the last time your pet was feeling sick?