No matter how carefully we care for our canine companions, at some point you'll be faced with a dog illness. Although your sick dog may not require more than a bit of rest and time to recover, in some cases even benign symptoms warrant a visit to the vet. Remember, if you are not completely certain about your animal's health, always bring him or her to the emergency vet. No article can diagnose or treat your particular case; only a qualified vet can tell you definitively what's going on and whether it is or is not life threatening.

Sign 1: Any Obvious External Injury

If your pet clearly has any kind of broken bone, or other obvious external injury, you need to bring him or her to the vet immediately. Broken bones are quite obvious if they deform the skin, and they're quite dangerous if left without treatment. The same is true of any external cuts or gashes, especially if excessive bleeding is present.

Sign 2: Listing Or Balance Issues

These are classic signs of neurological damage. Any time your canine walks differently than you would normally expect from him or her and does so persistently, it could be an indication of a medical problem. If left unchecked and untreated, a neurological dog illness could degenerate even further and become an even bigger issue. Often this kind of behavior signifies not just an illness, but a tumor which might become inoperable if you wait to have your sick dog examined.

Sign 3: Persistent Sneezing Or Discolored Mucus

Your canine companion shouldn't sneeze frequently. If he or she does, that may be a sign of a serious condition. It could be something as simple as allergies, but leaving it untreated could lead to dangerous possibilities and potentially undiagnosed chronic conditions.

Sign 4: Failure To Eliminate Waste

Your canine should regularly be eliminating waste, especially if he or she is eating or drinking normally (and if not, that's another cause for concern.) A failure to eliminate as expected is a surefire sign of a sick dog. There are a number of different conditions which might cause this, and almost all of them are chronic enough to warrant immediate veterinary attention.

Sign 5: Restlessness Or Inability To Settle Comfortably

If your canine is restless or unable to settle down, that indicates that they are experiencing chronic pain and discomfort. This can be a sign of many conditions, some of them benign, but is also one of the few easily observed and consistent signs of bloat. Of all the issues that can plague a sick dog, bloat may be the most deadly. Swift response is crucial if your canine is to survive this dog illness.

Sign 6: Excessive Vomiting

Excessive vomiting is inherently dangerous because your canine is losing fluids. In addition, it's important to have this addressed promptly because it is often a signal that something is seriously wrong with the stomach, or possibly neurologically.