| The downside of dog ownership is that | | | | signs, move him to a shady spot and pour cool |
| communication can sometimes be a guessing | | | | water all over his body and then take him to |
| game.This is particularly true when your dog | | | | the vet immediately: |
| is not feeling well.Sometimes your dog may | | | | |
| just be "off" - not as energetic or acting | | | | * Heavy panting |
| odd.This may be nothing but it could be a | | | | |
| sign of a serious health issue. Educating | | | | * Glazed eyes |
| yourself in the signs that indicate all is | | | | |
| not right with your dog can mean the | | | | * Rapid pulse |
| difference between life and death. | | | | |
| | | | * Bright red gums |
| Bloat: | | | | |
| | | | * Unsteadiness |
| If your dog's belly starts to swell for no | | | | |
| apparent reason, this could be an indication | | | | * Vomiting |
| that she is suffering from Bloat - a | | | | |
| condition in which the abdomen fills with gas | | | | Shock: |
| to the point that it will become tight enough | | | | |
| to play like a drum.This is a very serious | | | | A dog can suffer from four different types of |
| condition as it can decrease her circulation | | | | shock: hypovolemic, cardiac, neurogenic or |
| and must be treated by a vet immediately. | | | | septic.All four exhibit similar symptoms |
| | | | including: |
| Fainting: | | | | |
| | | | * Pale mucous membranes (inside of the mouth, |
| Often related to heart disease, fainting can | | | | gums, eyes, etc.) |
| occur when your dog gets excited and his | | | | |
| heart has failed to pump enough blood to his | | | | * Weakness |
| brain.Fainting can also be caused by low | | | | |
| glucose levels in the blood which is often a | | | | * Rapid pulse |
| result of strenuous exercise.Either way, if | | | | |
| your dog faints, take him to the vet ASAP. | | | | * Tangible loss of heat to the extremities, |
| | | | particularly the ears. |
| Falling: | | | | |
| | | | The most common type of shock is hypovolemic, |
| When a dog falls over for no apparent reason, | | | | occurring when there is not enough blood |
| it can be an indication that she has an inner | | | | circulating throughout the body.The cause can |
| ear infection. This is very treatable and can | | | | include internal or external bleeding or poor |
| be cured with a trip to the vet and a course | | | | circulation. Cardiac shock occurs when the |
| of antibiotics. | | | | heart cannot pump blood fast |
| | | | enough.Neurogenic shock, although rare, can |
| Heat Stroke: | | | | occur when the dog suffers a massive brain or |
| | | | spinal cord injury. Septic shock occurs when |
| One of the most common summer ailments dog | | | | an infection has reached the blood stream. |
| suffer from is heat stroke.This can come on | | | | |
| very rapidly even if your dog has not been | | | | If your dog exhibits any of these symptoms or |
| outside in the heat for a prolonged period of | | | | experiences any type of injury that can cause |
| time.If your dog shows any of the following | | | | shock, take him to the vet immediately. |