13 Changes Veterinarians Would Never Ignore In Their Dogs

Canine health experts break down the red flags that may indicate major underlying problems.

Dog owners want their beloved companions to be healthy and thriving, but this can be challenging since pets are unable to tell us in words when something is wrong or they’re hurting. As a result, vigilance is important for canine caregivers.

″‘If you hear hoofbeats, think horses, not zebras,’ is a saying I learned in veterinary school,” Dr. Jo Myers, a veterinarian with veterinary telehealth company Vetster, told HuffPost. “It’s a reminder that most of the time, something common is going on. This means that when your dog does something unusual, it’s unlikely to be something serious or rare. However, there are some situations that warrant more urgent attention.”

With that in mind, HuffPost asked Myers and other experts to identify the signs and changes they would never ignore in a dog. Read on for 13 things to look out for.

A Cough That Lasts More Than A Couple Of Weeks

“We often associate coughing with colds or the flu, but a persistent cough can signal something more serious, like heart disease,” Myers said. “While dogs can get upper respiratory infections that cause coughing, they typically go away within a couple of weeks, often without treatment.”