By Bill Greenbaum
1. My Pet is overweight
• If you put your thumbs on the back bone and run your fingers over the ribs and cannot feel them.
• A *waist* should be visible – where the abdomen goes up behind the rib-cage when viewed from the side.
• When viewed from above the shape should be hourglass, with an obvious shape to them.
2. My Pet has diabetes
• Drinking excessive amounts of water, and an increase in what is normal for that animal.
• Excessive or ravenous appetite, with no obvious weight gain.
• Weight loss and possible vomiting, and lethargy.
3. My Pet has cancer
• Obvious signs of a tumor, such as a lump or mass, or distended abdomen.
• Weight loss, and generalized loss of condition, such as hair coat and a dry nose.
• Loss of appetite, unexplained lethargy or lack of energy, other unusual symptoms specific to the type of tumor.
4. My pet has worms
• Diarrhea, which can be sudden or chronic in onset, with possible blood in the stool
• Weight loss and generalized loss of condition, such as poor hair coat, and low energy.
• Obvious signs of worms like tapeworm segments (look like rice grains) or worms in stool (roundworms look like spaghetti).
5. My pet has allergies
• Generalized itching, redness and hair loss in the case of skin allergies. Licking and scratching.
• Sneezing or runny eyes in the case of respiratory allergies, or difficulty breathing, often wheezing, in asthma.
• Diarrhea and vomiting, and not wanting to eat in the case of intestinal allergies.
6. My pet has an ear infection
• Scratching the ear and rubbing the ear on things.
• Discharge from the ear, which can be black, or yellow or green.
• Nasty smell or odor from the ear and redness when looking carefully inside the ear.
7. My pet has separation anxiety
• Whining and crying when they are left alone.
• Damaging things in the house, like scratching the door, or chewing things.
• Anxious when they are left, panting and pacing around. It may be a good idea to pretend to leave to observe these behaviors.
8. My pet has arthritis
• Stiffness and not wanting to move in the mornings or after rest.
• Unwilling to play or run, or go for walks as much as before, it can often improve with exercise however.
• Whining and panting when lying down, especially after a long walk or increased exercise, this indicates there is some pain present.
9. My pet has bad eyesight
• Obvious signs, like bumping into things in the house or in strange places. Also the eyes may appear cloudy or look different.
• Hesitancy in going up or down steps or stairs, as depth perception maybe affected.
• Withdrawn behavior, not wanting to interact or being as friendly as normal, changes in normal routines and moods.
10. My pet has an infection somewhere
• Loss of appetite and low or no energy, not wanting to play or go for walks.
• May seem warm, or have an increased temperature, so the head may seem warm, there may be panting, and the nose may be dry.
• Obvious symptoms relayed to where the infection is such as red ears or eyes, diarrhea, vomiting or heavy breathing, sneezing or coughing.
For more information on natural pet remedies visit www.allpetnaturals.net.
