Caring For Your Sick Dog

By Mark T Wright

It's always a worrying time when your dog is unwell and your first priority is getting your dog examined by your veterinarian. He/she will advise you on the best course of treatment, however here are a few general tips for caring for your sick dog.

Vomiting

There are many reasons why your dog may be vomiting. The most likely cause is that he/she has eaten something that's upset their stomach and the vomiting will pass within 24 hours or so. If it persists, always consult your vet. Similarly, if the dog becomes lethargic or weak or if the vomit contains blood, always contact your vet.

Don't allow your dog to drink a lot because this may cause him/her to vomit again. Offer instead boiled water that's cooled in small amounts but often. Also, don't give your dog any food for at least twelve hours after the vomiting has stopped and then give small amounts of white meat such as chicken, or white fish with rice. You can give this every two hours then over the next couple of days, increase the quantity and gradually re-introduce your dog's normal diet.

Diarrhea

This is again most likely to be something the dog has eaten so don't feed him/her anything at all for twelve hours but do allow the dog to have water. After that, feed the dog a bland diet such as that described above. If it carries on for more than a couple of days, consult your vet. If it's a puppy, call your vet right away if there's any vomiting or diarrhea.

Old Age

Elderly dogs are prone to conditions related to aging, such as arthritis, and may require gentle nursing at home. The dog may require long-term medications and pain relief which your vet will advise you about but in general, make sure you don't run out of the dog's meds and that you don't stop or increase them without talking to your vet first.

It's especially important for elderly dogs to have access to fresh, clean water, so if your dog has difficulty walking or standing, ensure his/her water bowl is positioned in such a way that the dog can easily reach it. Ditto the dog's food; keep it fresh and remove uneaten food regularly.

In later life, your dog may not be as good at keeping itself clean so you may need to wash the dog's rear end yourself. Keeping an elderly dog clean avoids distressing skin conditions and parasites.

It's likely to make your dog more comfortable if you provide a warm, soft pad for the dog to lie on. Old bones ache and a warm soft bed is nicer than the hard floor!

As always, if you're in any doubt or worried about your dog, always consult your vet.

The author is the owner of DogSymptoms.org . Learn about dog parvo symptoms and pregnant dog symptoms from an expert at his dog symptoms site.