There are certain signs of illness which you should not ignore in your pet. Contact your vet immediately if your pet shows any of the following signs.

• Trauma:  Injury to the head or any heavy bleeding, a fight with any stray animal.

• Has severe difficulty in breathing, has no pulse or has bluish lips. These could be signs of respiratory or heart failure.

• Bite from any snake or scorpion, suspected poisoning

• Suffered an electric shock

• Has high fever or has suffered frostbite.

• Shows lethargy or depression.

• Has a seizure.

• Is unable to bear weight on his limbs

• Has uncontrolled diarrhea or vomiting.

• Swallows a foreign body

• Unable to pass urine/stools

• Blood in the urine/stools

• Sudden change in behavior

Kidney failure occurs commonly in pets. You should be alerted if your pet produces very less or no urine. Other symptoms are nausea, weight loss and drinking too much water. Your pet may require hospitalization in such cases.

Seizures in pets are a sign of severe illness. It may be a brain tumor, kidney disease or an infection of the brain. Restrain your dog gently when he has a seizure. Avoid getting bitten and take him to a vet.

Worms are also common in pets. Cats can suffer from tapeworm infection. They may show symptoms of diarrhea and weight loss. Cats also suffer from an infection called Toxoplasmosis. It is a severe infection of the nervous system. If your cat shows lethargy, weight loss and loss of appetite, take it to a pet.