When Is It Time To Go To A Pet Hospital?

Medical distress in pets can be hard to detect. Even in species that have been long domesticated, many animals instinctively suppress expressions of distress for fear of attracting predators. Consequently, it can be tough for you to figure out when it's time to take them to a pet hospital. Pay attention to these 5 possible signs of issues so you can get a head start on them.

Weight Loss

Animals generally like to eat, and they should also keep on weight. If a pet is eating and not keeping weight on, that's especially concerning. Likewise, if they're not eating at all or just eating a little, that's problematic. Potential causes can range from intestinal blockages from hairballs to dental issues. An animal may also feel so poorly they can't bring themselves to eat. In any such case, weight loss or disinteresting in eating is a sign you'll want to take your pet to a professional for help.

Poorly Healing Injuries

Especially if your pet goes outside, there's a risk they might suffer injuries. This happens when they get caught on stuff, fight with other animals, or even have a moment of clumsiness. You may see evidence of what happened, such as blood in their fur or a limp.

Oftentimes, people treat these with balms or other medicinal solutions. However, the wounds may not heal quickly. Similarly, animals can experience bumps, bruises, breaks, strains, and even concussions just like humans do. If your pet doesn't seem to bounce back or heal within a couple of weeks, you should visit a pet hospital.

Mood Changes

Particularly if an animal's mood changes without much explanation, it may be a sign of a medical concern. Bear in mind animals can feel depressed or suffer from dementia, too. Even if this seems natural for the pet's age, you should still talk to a professional about how to handle it going forward.

Poor Balance

Many animal medical issues only become evident when they struggle to balance themselves while walking. The range of possibilities is quite wide. A pet could be dehydrated from an illness, for example. Fortunately, a pet hospital can run blood tests to see what the issue is and prescribe a response.

Loss of Hair, Feathers, or Scales

Most animals keep their hair, feathers, or scales going in old age, unlike some humans. If a pet is doing more than shedding or molting, you should be concerned. The staff members at a pet hospital can check things out and tell you whether or not the loss is natural.