Dr. Jones shares tips and tricks on his YouTube channel to help pet owners at home.
The first silent symptom to look out for in an elderly dog is a wet cough, Jones explained in one video.
“Does your dog have a wet cough at night or when they get up in the morning?” he asked.
This might be a sign that your canine has some form of heart disease.
Although worrying, this can be easily treated with medication, Dr. Jones assured.
The second symptom to look out for is drinking more water than usual, whilst also having a decreased appetite.
“I start to worry about organ dysfunction, I’m thinking liver disease or kidney disease,” the vet explained.
If you notice this symptom, the vet advises you to take your dog to your local practice to get some blood tests done.
The third sign that something might be wrong with man’s best friend is having white gums, as well as less energy.
This could be a sign of anemia.
The fourth symptom is bad breath, accompanied by not being able to chew as well, and increased drooling.
This might be a sign of mouth cancer, Dr Jones explained.
“It’s really important if you see that, don’t just assume it’s a bad tooth,” he said in the clip.
“If you catch it early, it can be removed early,” he explained.
The fifth sign is if you feel a lump that “pops up in a hurry, and wasn’t there before.”
“That is a big warning sign,” the vet said.
This can be a sign of lymphoma or another type of cancer.
Difficulty walking is the next silent symptom that might be worrisome.
This can be normal in older dogs, but might also be a sign of something more concerning such as degenerative myelopathy.
The last symptom to keep a watchful eye on is a decreased appetite.
This could be a sign of many diseases and should be addressed with a vet.
Dr. Jones gave one last important piece of advice.
“Trust your gut, you know your dog so much better than anyone else and if you see something that is out of character then trust your instincts,” he told his followers.
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