Dog Symptom Reference Guide

Understanding what different symptoms might mean helps you make informed decisions about your dog's care. This guide focuses on common symptoms, what might cause them, and when they require urgent attention.

Vomiting

Vomiting is common but varies widely in severity. One episode after eating grass is different from repeated vomiting with blood.

When to Worry Less

• Single episode with no other symptoms
• Eating too fast or too much
• Mild dietary indiscretion (eating something unusual)
• Dog is otherwise acting normal and interested in food

When to Seek Care Promptly

• Vomiting multiple times in one day
• Blood in vomit (red or "coffee ground" appearance)
• Vomiting with diarrhea
• Unable to keep water down
• Lethargy or weakness with vomiting
• Possible foreign body ingestion
• Vomiting in puppies (they dehydrate quickly)

Emergency Signs

• Unproductive retching with distended abdomen (possible bloat/GDV)
• Vomiting with severe abdominal pain
• Suspected poisoning

Diarrhea

Loose stool has many causes, from dietary changes to serious infections.

When to Monitor at Home

• Soft stool but dog is otherwise normal
• Recent dietary change or new treats
• Single episode with no other symptoms

When to Seek Care

• Bloody or black, tarry stool
• Watery diarrhea, especially in puppies
• Diarrhea lasting more than 24-48 hours
• Diarrhea with vomiting, lethargy, or fever
• Signs of dehydration (dry gums, skin tenting)
• Unvaccinated puppies with diarrhea (parvo risk)

Not Eating (Inappetence)

Dogs occasionally skip meals, but persistent refusal to eat warrants attention.

Less Concerning Scenarios

• Skipping one meal but otherwise acting normal
• Hot weather or stress-related appetite decrease
• Picky eating in otherwise healthy dog

Seek Care If

• Not eating for more than 24-48 hours
• Accompanied by vomiting, diarrhea, or lethargy
• Weight loss visible or palpable
• Changes in water consumption
• Puppies not eating (they need consistent nutrition)

Coughing

Different types of coughs indicate different problems.

Types of Coughs

• Dry, honking cough: Often kennel cough or tracheal collapse
• Wet, productive cough: May indicate pneumonia or fluid in lungs
• Gagging cough: Possible foreign body or post-nasal drip
• Coughing at night or when resting: Possible heart disease

When to Seek Care

• Cough persisting more than a few days
• Difficulty breathing with cough
• Blue or pale gums
• Coughing blood
• Exercise intolerance with cough
• Fever, lethargy, or loss of appetite

Difficulty Breathing

Breathing problems are always urgent. Know the difference between normal panting and distress.

Musculoskeletal Symptoms

Rigid protocol adherence loses to attentive observation of your pet's small daily signals almost every time.

Limping / Lameness

Limping ranges from minor sprains to serious injuries or diseases.

Assessing Severity

• Mild: Slight favoring, still bearing weight
• Moderate: Clearly limping but will bear some weight
• Severe: Not bearing weight on the limb

When to Seek Care

• Non-weight-bearing lameness
• Visible swelling, bruising, or deformity
• Limping that doesn't improve with rest in 24-48 hours
• Limping accompanied by fever or illness
• Inability to get up or walk
• Dragging limb or loss of sensation

Back Pain / Spinal Issues

Back problems can range from muscle strain to serious disc disease (IVDD).

Urinary Symptoms

Outcomes are consistently better for owners who treat the individual animal's baseline as their reference, not the breed's average.

Changes in Urination

Urinary symptoms can indicate infections, diabetes, kidney disease, or urinary blockage.

Symptoms to Watch

• Increased urination: May indicate diabetes, kidney disease, Cushing's
• Straining to urinate: Possible infection, stones, or blockage
• Blood in urine: Infection, stones, or other urinary tract problems
• Accidents in house-trained dogs: Medical or behavioral causes
• Inability to urinate: EMERGENCY - possible blockage

Skin and Coat Symptoms

Adapt to your dog sitting in your home and you will almost always outperform a by-the-book approach.

Itching and Scratching

Excessive scratching indicates an underlying problem that needs addressing.

Common Causes

• Allergies (environmental, food, contact)
• Fleas or other parasites
• Skin infections (bacterial, fungal, yeast)
• Dry skin
• Hot spots

When to Seek Care

• Scratching causing hair loss or skin damage
• Red, inflamed, or infected-looking skin
• Hot spots (painful, oozing areas)
• Scratching affecting sleep or quality of life
• Ear infections accompanying skin issues

Lumps and Bumps

Many lumps are benign, but new growths should always be evaluated.

Track These Details

• Size (measure it)
• How quickly it appeared or is growing
• Texture (firm, soft, attached to underlying tissue)
• Location
• Whether it bothers your dog

Your vet may recommend fine needle aspiration or biopsy to determine what a lump is. Many are harmless lipomas (fatty tumors), but early detection of cancerous masses improves outcomes.

Neurological Symptoms

Owners who track changes early usually spot problems sooner.

Seizures

Seizures are frightening but often manageable with treatment.

During a Seizure

• Keep your dog away from stairs, furniture, and other hazards
• Do NOT put your hand near their mouth
• Time the seizure
• Speak calmly and soothingly
• Gently comfort them as they recover

Seek Emergency Care If

• Seizure lasts longer than 3-5 minutes
• Multiple seizures in a short period (cluster seizures)
• First-ever seizure (requires evaluation)
• Seizure in a puppy or senior dog
• Dog doesn't fully recover within an hour

Disorientation or Confusion

Sudden disorientation may indicate stroke, vestibular disease, or cognitive decline.

Vestibular Disease Signs

• Sudden head tilt
• Loss of balance, falling to one side
• Rapid eye movement (nystagmus)
• Nausea and vomiting

While vestibular disease often improves on its own, sudden onset should be evaluated to rule out stroke or other serious causes.

Eye Symptoms

Fit the plan to the animal you live with; the breed average is only a starting sketch.

Red or Irritated Eyes

Eye problems can progress quickly and may threaten vision.

Concerning Eye Symptoms

• Squinting or keeping eye closed
• Excessive tearing or discharge
• Cloudiness or change in eye appearance
• Visible third eyelid
• Rubbing at eyes
• Bulging eye (emergency)

Eye problems often worsen quickly. When in doubt, seek same-day veterinary evaluation.

Sources and Further Reading

• AVMA: Dog Care — Canine health guidance from the AVMA
• AKC: Dog Health — Breed-specific and general health resources
• ASPCA: Dog Care — Dog health, behavior, and wellness