'I'm a vet – six symptoms mean you need to act fast to save your dog'
A vet has listed the symptoms dogs may present which are an emergency and require fast action.
Welcoming a dog into your home can be one of the most rewarding and positive decisions you make. Dogs quickly become essential members of the family, offering their unrelenting loyalty and joy to their owners.
It’s not without its stress, though. Dogs can be prone to a litany of health issues and problems and, according to The Kennel Club, some of the most common being ear infections, gum disease, obesity, overgrown nails and anal sac impaction.
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Still, it’s imperative pet owners are able to recognise when a particular ailment is an emergency and needs immediate attention, or when it’s an issue that does need checking over but without the urgency.
With that in mind, the team at Nithsdale Vets, a veterinary practice with locations in Dumfries and Thornhill and Dumfries and Galloway, put together a comedic clip on TikTok to help clear up what symptoms need serious action, and those that don’t.
The video, shared on TikTok, sees a black Labrador sitting in the middle of the camera’s view as symptoms pop up on the screen. On the left side of the clip, the word “emergency” is listed while “not an emergency” is listed on the right side.
The dog then moves to the left or right hand side of the screen to illustrate which symptoms fall into either category. Captioning the sweet clip, Nithsdale Vets penned: “Recognising symptoms when your pet is unwell it's very important. Please enjoy this little video to help have a better understanding of when to recognise an emergency and seek veterinary care for your furry friend”.
Emergency symptoms
The following symptoms were listed as emergencies which require attention in dogs, as well as two symptoms to be mindful of in cats:
Toxic ingestion
Collapsing
Heat stroke
Female dog unwell after having puppies
Cats with laboured breathing
Male cat struggling/unable to urinate
Non-emergency symptoms
The below symptoms were included as concerns many dog owners often raise with their vet, but they’re not classed as emergencies and don’t require urgent veterinary attention:
Sore skin
Anal glands need to be emptied
Claws need clipping
Lameness
Diarrhoea with no other “severe” symptoms
Vaccinations
The video racked up thousands of views and likes, with people expressing their gratitude in the comments section.
Before getting a dog or another pet, it’s important to do your research and prepare. It’s also worth bearing in mind that training is essential, and not all dogs or other pets are suitable for first time owners.
If you’re looking to welcome a dog into your home, consider the benefits of adopting a puppy or dog from a charity or local shelter instead of shopping from a breeder.
