Unfortunately pets can’t talk, but conscientious owners will know when something is not normal with their pet. Symptoms are often the first physical signs of an underlying disease or disorder which may become a life-threatening problem if not addressed early on. Here are 10 common pet symptoms that should never be ignored:

Trouble Passing Urine
Any signs that your pet is suffering discomfort or difficulty passing urine should be treated as urgent. Some causes, if left untreated, can result in death in less than 36 hours so “wait and see” is not advisable. It may be a simple urinary tract infection but could be caused by bladder stones, tumors in the bladder or a stricture of the urogenital tract, so seek medical attention.

Collapse or Fainting
A sudden loss of strength which causes your pet to fall over and not be able to get up immediately is a signal for concern. Some animals may even lose consciousness, known as syncope or fainting. Whether they recover slowly or instantly, the cause should be investigated by a veterinarian.

Weight Loss
Weight loss occurs when your pet is using more calories than are being consumed. It is only important clinically if more than 10 percent of the normal body weight is lost, assuming the pet is not on a controlled weight loss program and the weight loss is not associated purely with loss of fluid.

Breathing Problem
Animals which have difficulty breathing and shortness of breath may be experiencing some serious health problems. It may be an indication of fluid on the lungs or heart failure, when insufficient blood and oxygen is reaching muscles and other tissues. Breathing problems should be evaluated immediately.

Red Eye
Eye inflammation or infection can easily be cleared up with medication but should never be left unattended. Red eye can be a sign of glaucoma or eye disease which, if left untreated, may result in blindness. Early diagnosis is essential for eye problems in pets.
 
Drinking Excessively
If your pet is suddenly drinking more than usual and it is not due to extra exercise or hot weather, it could be a sign of diabetes mellitus, thyroid problems, kidney failure or a uterine infection. Normal water intake for an average sized dog is one to two cups of water per day.
 
High Temperature/Fever
Fever or an unusually high body temperature may be in response to a virus or bacteria. The normal temperature for dogs is 100.5F to 102.5F and if it continues you should call the veterinarian.

Convulsions
Convulsions or a seizure are caused by a malfunction in the brain. It may show as a distant glazed look and twitching or violent thrashing about with loss of control of the bladder and/or bowel lasting for seconds or minutes. Seizures are the symptom of a neurological disorder and need immediate attention from a professional.

Cough
A persistent cough may be a sign of bronchitis, pneumonia, an obstruction in the windpipe or other heart or lung problems. All pets with a cough need to be evaluated by a veterinarian.

Blood Excrement
Tarry stools, bloody feces or blood in the urine are all signs of sickness caused by a bacterial infection or more serious disease. Even if there are no other visible symptoms, the problem should not be ignored.

Hopefully none of these problems will trouble your pet, but to ensure your cat or dog stays in tip-top shape, consider pet health supplements. Products include cat vitamins, dog vitamins and canine hip and joint tablets to make sure they enjoy a long and healthy life.