Daily I see stories of dogs suffering because either their parents or even their veterinarians drop the ball understanding the symptoms in front of them. Some of these dogs even die.
Symptoms can be a tricky business. Some are hard to notice, some are hard to understand, and some can be misunderstood or misdiagnosed.
I've been there. In my heart, I knew that what I was observing in Jasmine had a medical problem behind it. It was ambiguous, and the many hospital visits offered no solution. If I knew then what I know now, things would have worked out better for Jasmine. I am offering my experience so things can work out better for your dog as well.
What is your dog telling you about their health?
Symptoms to Watch for in Your Dog now available in paperback and Kindle. Each chapter includes notes on when it is an emergency.
Symptoms to Watch for in Your Dog is an award-winning guide to help you better understand what your dog is telling you about their health and how to best advocate for them.
Learn how to see and how to think about changes in your dog’s appearance, habits, and behavior. Some signs that might not trigger your concern can be important indicators that your dog needs to see a veterinarian right away. Other symptoms, while hard to miss, such as diarrhea, vomiting, or limping, are easy to spot but can have a laundry list of potential causes, some of them serious or even life-threatening.
Symptoms to Watch for in Your Dog is a dog health advocacy guide 101. It covers a variety of common symptoms, including when each of them might be an emergency.
An award-winning guide for dog parents
- 2017 Maxwell Award from the Dog Writers Association of America for a book on health, behavior, or general care.
- 2017 Morris Animal Foundation Canine Health Award for the best science-based book about canine health issues.
- 2018 Reader's Favorite Honorable Mention in Non-Fiction - Animals category
I too see stories on a daily basis from senior dog parents who don't realise the changes in their dog are not natural signs of aging, and as a result I know these animals are suffering. It's true, some issues are misdiagnosed or simply missed, and to me there's nothing more important that a great vet you trust. I know I failed my sweet Saffy because I too easily trusted a vet, and I know I've never let that happen again. I have no doubt your posts highlighting various symptoms have helped so many dogs.
ReplyDeleteThe main reason I'm doing all this that I too failed Jasmine in this way--trusting the vets even though I knew in my heart there were missing something important. I have never let that happen but I'd like for other to be able to catch these things too.
DeleteI love that you wrote this book. I tend to be a worrier and often am not sure if I'm just stressed or there is something else wrong. Having some guidelines and specific things to look for is so helpful.
ReplyDeleteThank you :-) Yes, having some guidelines helps. Though it's always better to be too paranoid than miss something.
DeleteGreat reminder to be our pet's advocate and keep trying to figure out the cause. Both medical and behavioral issues can have a lot of baggage and digging in order to get to a cause and solution.
ReplyDeleteCan't really fix something without understanding what the problem really is.
DeleteI watch Layla like a hawk as she is starting to age and am fortunate that I have a great vet who I can email if I have questions.
ReplyDeleteGreat vets are worth their weight in gold.
DeleteKnowing about your pet's health and wellbeing is something we ALL need help with. I watch mine and worry about symptoms and a vet visit is on the cards if anyone looks unwell.
ReplyDeleteThat is the best policy
DeleteIt's so important to be a good health advocate for your pet. Sometimes I think vets think either I'm a PITA or a crazy cat lady. But I know my pets, and I know when they are healthy and when something isn't' right.
ReplyDeleteA respectable vet respects owner's perceptions. Because nobody else knows the pet better. It is important they heed to the concerns and find explanations.
DeleteThis really is very important. It’s important to be an advocate for your pet because especially with a really old animal even vets can be like, well they’ve had a good life. Or maybe that doesn’t happen in the dog world. I have twice struggled to get a very geriatric cat care for a very routine illness that in Lucky’s case he had been treated for as long as he’d lived with me.
ReplyDeleteThat is very sad. Just because a pet is geriatric, doesn't meant they cannot be successfully treated depending on what is going on.
DeleteThis is a really much-needed guide as often there is too much information out there, often times the wrong type, thanks to Dr. Google lol.
ReplyDeleteThank you. Yes, I tried to simplify things. My goal is to teach people how to see things and how to think about them, rather than listing every possibility.
DeleteThis book is a great resource for dog lovers! After reading it, I feel like I'm more likely to observe symptoms that I would have previously overlooked.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Beth. I'm glad you feel you benefited from reading it. <3
DeleteYour book and posts are very informative and serve as much-needed resources for pet parents. I am a huge advocate for my dogs' health, for senior dogs, and for Canine Epilepsy. It is so important to know your dog, and I live by the motto that if something does not seem right, it probably isn't and my dog needs to be checked. Great video promo, too!
ReplyDeleteToo many symptoms are chalked up to old age or just ignored out of convenience, or they go on so long that they seem like the dog's norm. If only dogs could talk, but really, all they need is for us to pay attention.
ReplyDeleteI'm learning a lot about watching my cats on a daily basis. I learn their daily routines and normal behaviors. I don't hesitate for a moment when something changes to take them to the vet.
ReplyDelete