The Mild Symptoms That End Up Being the Ones We Take Most Seriously

When we picture our pets being struck by a serious illness, we probably imagine something traumatic, sudden, and obvious. And while earth-shattering symptoms absolutely can be the things that point to serious health conditions, there are plenty of mild symptoms of serious illnesses in dogs and cats, too. 

The team at Volunteer Veterinary Hospital is here to explore some of the more subtle early warning signs that something’s up with your pet. Whether the symptoms are minor or major, the sooner you can get a diagnosis, the sooner your pet can start treatment. 

When Minor Symptoms Need Vet Evaluation

Too many serious pet health issues begin with small, seemingly innocuous clues. This is why it’s key to know your pet well, inside and out, and to keep an eye out for any changes in his behavior, appetite, or energy levels. The smallest fluctuations can be signs that something is up. 

Examples of when minor symptoms need vet evaluation include: 

• Slight decreases in appetite
• Drinking more or less water than usual
• Any unexpected weight loss or gain, even if it seems mild
• Vomiting or diarrhea that happens just infrequently enough to seem maybe unproblematic
• Subtle changes in your pet’s activity levels or snoozing patterns
• An increase in hiding or other less-than-social behaviors

On their own, these signs can appear harmless. But they can actually be early signs of a range of diseases and disorders, from kidney disease and diabetes to dental disease and gastrointestinal disorders. 

And one thing many veterinarians will tell you is that paying attention to early symptoms matters. A lot. Your vet can potentially rule out any issues or, if an issue is found, your vet can initiate a treatment plan right away.

The Risks of a Delayed Diagnosis in Pets

We can’t say it enough: don’t delay the opportunity to secure a diagnosis for your pet at the first sign of symptoms. For most conditions, an early diagnosis can mean less complicated treatment, a better quality of life, and a slowed-down disease progression. 

Here’s one example: let’s say that your dog starts drinking more water than they used to. You seem to be refilling your canine companion’s bowl more than you did last week, and the week before that, and so on. So, you trust your gut and head to the veterinarian. 

To your surprise, your vet diagnoses your pet with early-stage diabetes. With treatment, your pet’s diabetes is easily managed and avoids getting pushed into more advanced stages. 

We’d rather not linger on what could happen if care is delayed for your pet. But think about if the conversation above was flipped, and you ended up waiting for months as your pet drank more and more water. 

You find out after a year of delayed care that your dog has diabetes that requires immediate care and is already in a serious and hard-to-treat stage. 

Just remember: an early diagnosis is always better than a late one.

Early Disease Detection with Preventive Care

The number-one goal of early disease detection in pets is to identify health issues before they advance into the more difficult-to-treat stages. Routine wellness exams, bloodwork, and diagnostic screenings give your veterinary team the chance to establish a baseline of wellness and catch any issues early on. 

No symptom is too small to pay attention to. If something feels off with your pet’s health, it’s worth getting it checked out. The caring team at Volunteer Veterinary Hospital is here to help identify symptoms of any kind, at any time (during our business hours, of course). 

Call us at (865) 609-0311 to schedule an appointment today.