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As a dog owner, you need to see when there’s something wrong with your dog so you know when you need to bring him to your veterinarian. Here are some tips from Registered Veterinary Technician Jenna Stregowski of About.com:

Know what’s “normal”
Always have a visual picture of what your dog looks like when he’s healthy so you’ll be able to judge when he’s not. This is important why trying to see if he has a problem. Also, if your neighbor or friend that doesn’t see your dog everyday makes a comment about your dog’s health, don’t necessarily ignore it. While you see your dog everyday, they don’t. This means that while you may miss subtle changes, the differences in your dog will appear very obvious to that person.

Immediate attention
A few things that you should have tended to immediately are odd colored gums, irregular breathing, unconsciousness, dizziness, an extremely bloated stomach area, seizures, severe pain and high or low body temperatures (normal is 100.5 to 102.5 degrees F). These things have the potential to be very serious and you should consult your vet immediately.

Keep an eye out for
There are also some other things that you should be cautious about when you are considering caring for your dog. Some of the things that you should pay attention pertaining to your dog’s health include poor appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, wheezing, nasal discharge and congestion. If these symptoms, or other ones, persist for an abnormal amount of time, ask your vet.

Final thoughts
When it comes to your dog’s health, it’s always best to err on the side of caution. The mantra of better safe than sorry always applies and if you feel like you’re dog is sick and it shouldn’t wait, talk to or go see your vet.

Source: About.com