Pet illness is very distressing for owners and the exact problem can be difficult to diagnose.
Unlike humans, dogs cannot talk to us about how they are feeling.
So we need to be able to identify the signs of pain and illness in your animal to guide us to probable cause and decide on relevant treatment.
Here are some tips on what to look out for.
Remember, early recognition of illness is so important, so watch out for early warning signs.
Early Warning Signals Look out for changes in behavior.
Dogs are creatures of habit so any digression from routine may point up the fact that the dog is feeling off color.
Ongoing loss of appetite is often the first symptom that something is not right.
All dogs refuse the occasional meal, but if it persists, there may be a deeper cause.
Watch for a raised temperature, evidenced when a dog pants more than usual, feels hot to the touch, or seeks a cooler place to lie down.
Look out for pain symptoms.
Dogs in pain will turn and bite at the problem area.
Unprovoked crying or cringing, and reluctance to leave their bed are major clues and dogs may become aggressive if the painful area is touched.
If any lumps or swelling are obvious, an immediate visit to the vet is called for as is the case if the dog convulses or has a fit of any kind.
Clear eye discharge is usually normal, but if the discharge is heavy or contains pus seek advice.
Discharges from nose, genitals, or ears should always be monitored carefully.
Any thick or smelly mucus should be sponged away, but if it persists seek advice.
Look out for Specific Signs Head shaking can be a sign of ear canker, especially if accompanied by a bad smelling discharge or inflammation.
Any ear problems can be serious so get your vet to take a look.
Diarrhea is usually the result of a tummy upset.
Stop feeding the dog for 12 hours although continue to water.
Provide small amounts of "soft" food, such as fish, egg or rice dishes for a couple of days and then gradually re-introduce a normal diet.
This should sort out the problem, but if it persists, refer to your vet.
Excessive water consumption can signal kidney problems so keep an eye on your dog's water intake.
Panting is a clear warning sign that all is not well, other than on a hot day of course.
This may reflect a number of serious conditions so seek advice if it persists.
Any difficulties in eating, especially in older dogs, may point to gum disorder, or more generally something lodged in the mouth which may need some help to remove.
An occasional bout of vomiting can be minor.
If prolonged, however, and particularly if blood is present, then visit the vet.
Coughing is generally nothing to worry about.
However, if any phlegm is expressed, this could indicate a problem such as distemper in which case get help.
Keep Calm and Seek Help if Necessary These symptoms are by no means exhaustive, and when put down in a long list as above, can easily turn you into a hypochondriac.
Relax and simply make sure you carry out a number of daily health checks, usually when grooming your dog, which will give you the comfort of knowing that any health problems will be spotted early on, increasing your dog's chances of early treatment and recovery.
Prevention of pet illness is better than any cure.