Sick Patient Visits
If you have noticed any concerning changes in your pet, we strongly encourage you to contact Akeso Veterinary Clinic today. We can examine your pet, run diagnostic tests, and recommend a treatment plan designed to alleviate symptoms and address the underlying cause of your pet’s illness.
What Does a Sick Patient Visit Include?
A sick patient visit begins with a thorough diagnostic process. Our veterinarian will discuss your pet’s symptoms with you and any other recent changes you might have noticed in your pet. We will then perform a thorough physical examination and order any diagnostic tests (imaging, blood work, urinalysis, or fecal testing) that we believe will aid the diagnostic process.
Once we have determined the underlying cause of your pet’s symptoms, we can recommend a variety of treatment options. Treatment will ultimately depend on the type of illness your pet has and their condition/medical history.
Signs and Symptoms of Illness in Pets
Some signs and symptoms of illness in dogs and cats include the following signs and symptoms:
- Appetite loss
- Unexplained weight loss or gain
- Excessive thirst
- Oral discomfort
- Eye, nose, or ear problems
- Odiferous ears or skin
- Lethargy
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Signs of pain (difficulty or reluctance to move, whimpering, shivering, excessive panting, or excessive vocalization)
- Lameness, limping, or limb favoring
- Dizziness or instability
- Skin problems (rash, scabbing, or excessive itching)
- Hair loss or bald spots
- Lumps or bumps
Dogs and cats instinctively try to mask or hide their pain and other symptoms of illness. As a result, it can often be difficult to tell when your pet might not be feeling well, and obvious signs or symptoms of illness can sometimes indicate an illness that has progressed significantly. Often, illness is indicated by slight and subtle changes in your pet’s appearance, behavior, personality, appetite, routine, and energy level.
If you notice any unexplained changes in your pet, we strongly encourage you to schedule a sick pet appointment as soon as possible.
Can My Pet Wait for a Scheduled Sick Pet Visit?
Signs your pet urgently needs veterinary include:
- Seizure, fainting, or collapse
- Difficult or labored breathing or wheezing
- Coughing
- Lack of bowel movements or difficulty urinating or defecating
- Uncontrolled bleeding
- Fever
- Heatstroke (hyperthermia) or frostbite (hypothermia)
- Ingested a poisonous substance
- Ingested a foreign object
If you are uncertain whether you should come in for urgent care or schedule a sick patient appointment for your pet, we welcome you to contact our office. We can discuss your pet’s symptoms with you, provide you with advice, and determine the most appropriate course of action for your pet.
