Consider how it would feel if you were not able to tell your doctor where and when it hurts, or that the chicken you had ten hours ago had a weird odor? You would be sick longer, undergo many more tests, and in some situations, it may cause your death. We are the eyes, ears and voice of our four-legged-friends. The more attentively we are able to observe our cocker's health problems, the more precise will be the data we are able to offer our friend's Veterinarian.
By monitoring your cocker, you should to be able to provide most of the following types of important information.
Does your dog have any unique behaviours now that they did not have before? Has there been a change in your dog's appetite or thirst?
Have their bathroom habits changed in frequency or quantity?
When does the issue manifest?
During the night, the day, after exercise or first thing in the morning?
When the problem started, did you notice any patterns?
When did the problem begin and what was the progression that got us to this point?
Is the problem getting worse, improving, or staying the same?
Does your pet have problems going to the bathroom?
Is there a connection between their symptoms and feeding time?
Does the problem occur before or after eating?
Have their environment changed in any way?
By paying attention to your furry friends' behaviour and accurately informing your dog's veterinarian, he/she can treat your cocker spaniel's health problems more quickly and efficiently, reducing your pal's discomfort, while saving you money by not performing a number of unnecessary procedures.
The Potential Risks Of Misinterpretation Instead of Objective Data
The most important advice my dog's Vet gave me is to report exactly what I see and not my subjective interpretation of what I think I observed. Frequently, our "subjective diagnoses" are only road blocks that serve to delay the recognition of real symptoms.
Always Be Ready To Collect Samples
Like it or not, this is something we are stuck doing! If you've noticed a change in urinary consistency or quantity, it makes good sense to bring in a urine sample for evaluation. I never realized that a complete urine analysis could be done with less than one teaspoon of urine, until Zach's Vet told me. The use of flat pans tactically positioned in a well-timed manner under your dog, make obtaining a sample quite painless.