byAlma Abell

So your dog isn’t feeling quite as festive as he normally does this morning. In fact, he seems pretty listless and quiet. Not sure if it’s time to take him to the vet yet? Here are a few more signs that say you need to get your pet to the nearest veterinary hospital right away:

1. He lost weight. He’s been eating poorly for days. And losing weight because of it. You think it’s just a lack of appetite for the same flavor of meat and milk bone. But what if it’s something else?

2. He’s been inactive. He always used to be so active, running around, chasing everything in sight. Now he doesn’t move around as much and seems to suffer from joint pain when you hug him. That could be a sign of something else. Have that checked out before it gets worse.

3. He keeps scratching, licking or chewing his tail or neck or some other body part he can reach. That could be fleas, of course, but there could be allergies as well.

4. He smells awful. If you notice your dog starting to smell, that’s a very bad sign. Don’t wait around to see if the condition improves—bring your dog to the vet right away.

5. He’s vomiting. Vomiting almost always comes with diarrhea in dogs. This could be a case of gastric problem, which goes away easily enough. Observe your dog. If he seems fine after vomiting, then just withhold food for the next 4-6 hours. Make sure to give him plenty of water so he won’t get dehydrated. However, if your dog is vomiting dark blood, almost black, that’s a sign of food poisoning. Get in your car and get to the veterinary hospital right away!

6. Lump in his stomach. Gently check your dog for signs of injury or pain. If you feel a slight distension in the stomach, he could have the bloat, known medically as gastric dilatation volvulus.

Some hospitals or clinics, like the All Creatures Hospital, offer several surgical procedures so if you believe your pet needs one, call for an appointment today. The sooner you have any of these treated, the sooner your pet will go back to being his old self: going around full of life and giving out furry hugs and doggy kisses to you and your family. You can also connect with their Facebook page.