Having a dog become a member of your family can truly be one of the most rewarding experiences ever. However, it can also be terrifying when your furry friend gets sick. Inevitably, this will happen from time to time. With this in mind, here are a few tips that will help you, should your dog fall ill.
Keep them hydrated
One of the most important things to do when your dog gets sick is to make sure that they have plenty of access to fresh, clean water. If they are vomiting, this is especially important. Dogs can dehydrate very quickly. As soon as you notice that something is wrong, make sure that you have refilled their water bowl.
Seek veterinary help
Often, dogs will simply be unwell due to a virus or as a reaction to something that they have consumed. If your dog is still eating, drinking, and behaving as they normally would after they have been ill, then they should be fine. However, if your dog is showing extreme symptoms or is acting out of the ordinary, then it is incredibly important that you seek veterinary help right away.
Be cautious with medicine
If you have been to the vet and they have given you medicine to give to your dog to get them well again, then it is very important that you watch over them for several hours in case there are any adverse effects to the medicine. If you notice vomiting or anything else unusual, then it is always best to go back to the vet again.
Keep them comfortable
Once your dog is on their way back to health, it is important that you help them with a quick recovery. One of the most important things that you can do is to keep them as comfortable as possible. They may want to bounce around and play, but try to encourage them to rest as much as possible. Getting them comfortable in a nice clean bed is definitely one of the best ways to do this.
Painful news
If your dog has an illness that is untreatable, then it can often feel like your world is crashing down around you. It is an incredibly painful experience. However, it is important that you consider how you want their final journey to be. If you want them to be at home, then you may wish to consider pet cremation so that you can keep their ashes with you. Of course, it is entirely up to you how you want that final journey to be, whether you want them cremated or buried.
When your dog does go, please remember that you gave them the happiest life that they could have possibly had, and they will live on in your heart and mind for the rest of your life. A dog is something that can never be replaced, and once those paws have been imprinted on your heart, that is where they will stay for the rest of time.
