Common Dog Health Issues and Early Warning Signs
What every owner needs to spot before it becomes an emergency
Many life-threatening conditions start with subtle signs you can catch early.
Knowing your dog's "normal" is the single best health tool you have. Do a 60-second nose-to-tail check weekly and you'll catch 80% of problems while they're still cheap and easy to treat.
1. Dental Disease – The Silent Epidemic
Affects 80% of dogs by age 3
| Early signs (you can fix at home) | Red-flag stage (vet needed now) |
|---|---|
| Mild bad breath, slight yellow on back teeth | Brown tartar, red/swollen gums, drooling, dropping food |
| Occasional pawing at mouth | Loose or missing teeth, pus along gumline |
Action: Start brushing 2–3× week + dental chews. Schedule professional cleaning under anaesthesia when tartar covers >25% of tooth.
2. Ear Infections – Especially floppy-eared breeds
| Normal ear | Problem ear |
|---|---|
| Pink, almost no odour | Red, brown/black discharge, strong yeasty smell, head shaking, scratching |
Tip: Clean only what you can see with a good ear cleaner (Epi-Otic, TrizEDTA). Never use Q-tips deep in canal.
3. Skin Allergies (Atopy, Food, Fleas)
Top reason for vet visits worldwide
| Mild (manageable) | Severe (vet needed) |
|---|---|
| Occasional itchy feet or ears | Hair loss, red/black skin, constant licking, recurrent hot spots or infections |
| Seasonal itching | Year-round, smell, oozing, or crusts |
Quick test: If Benadryl (1 mg/lb) stops itching within 48 h → environmental. If not → likely food allergy.
4. Anal Gland Problems
| Normal | Needs attention |
|---|---|
| Scoots or occasional scooting after poop | Frequent scooting, licking, foul fishy odour, swelling either side of anus |
Most dogs never need expression. Scooting = pain or full glands → vet check.
5. Gastrointestinal Warning Signs
When to call the vet TODAY
| Symptom | Urgency level |
|---|---|
| Vomiting >3× in 24 h or with lethargy | Emergency |
| Diarrhoea with blood or black tarry stool | Emergency |
| Bloating + unproductive retching (GDV) | Life-threatening – go NOW |
| Refusing food >48 h | Urgent |
6. Urinary Issues – Especially small breeds & seniors
| Early signs | Emergency signs |
|---|---|
| Straining, frequent small pees | Unable to pee at all, crying in pain |
| Pink-tinged urine | Distended abdomen + vomiting (blocked cat/dog) |
Blocked bladder = death in <48 h. Never wait.
7. Lumps & Bumps
Rule of 3s: If a new lump is
1 cm
- Growing for >1 month
- Changing in any way after 3 weeks
→ fine-needle aspirate at vet.
80% of lumps in dogs >7 years are benign, but early biopsy saves lives.
8. Limping & Mobility Red Flags
| Mild (watch) | Serious (vet within 24–48 h) |
|---|---|
| Intermittent limp after play | Non-weight-bearing, swollen joint, crying out |
| Stiff after naps (normal in seniors) | Sudden inability to stand, dragging back legs |
Tip: Film the limp on your phone — vets love video evidence.
9. Eye Problems
| Normal | Emergency |
|---|---|
| Occasional clear discharge | Squinting, pawing, cloudiness, red bulge |
| Third eyelid slightly visible when sleepy | Third eyelid fully across eye |
Corneal ulcers can rupture in hours → always treat squinting as urgent.
10. Behavioural Changes = Medical Red Flags
Dogs rarely “act out.” Sudden changes usually mean pain or illness:
| Behaviour change | Possible medical cause |
|---|---|
| House-trained dog starts accidents | UTI, diabetes, kidney disease, Cushing’s |
| Aggression when touched in certain spot | Pain (arthritis, disc disease) |
| Hiding, panting, restless at night | Pain, cognitive dysfunction, heart disease |
| Drinking/peeing massive amounts | Diabetes, kidney failure, Cushing’s |
Home Health Checklist (Do Weekly)
| Area | What “normal” looks like | What to check for |
|---|---|---|
| Eyes | Clear, white, no discharge | Cloudiness, redness, squinting |
| Ears | Pink, minimal wax | Odour, dark discharge, head tilt |
| Teeth/Gums | Pink gums, minimal tartar | Red gums, bad breath, loose teeth |
| Skin/Coat | Shiny coat, no flakes | Itching, hair loss, lumps |
| Weight | You can feel ribs but not see them | Sudden gain or loss |
| Poop | Firm, chocolate brown | Diarrhoea, blood, mucus |
| Energy | Normal greeting, wants to play/walk | Lethargy, reluctance to move |
When in Doubt – The 24-Hour Rule
If something seems "off" and hasn't improved (or has worsened) in 24 hours → call your vet. Better one unnecessary visit than one too late.
Emergency Signs – Go to Vet NOW (or nearest 24 h clinic)
- Difficulty breathing or blue gums
- Non-stop bleeding
- Seizure lasting >5 minutes or multiple in 24 h
- Bloating + trying to vomit
- Unable to urinate or defecate
- Hit by car (even if walking fine — internal bleeding)
- Toxin ingestion (chocolate, xylitol, grapes, antifreeze, etc.)
Final Thought
Your dog can't tell you he's sick until it's often very serious. But his body is talking every day — in his eyes, ears, skin, appetite, and energy. Learn his normal, trust your gut, and act early.
The average cost of catching a problem at stage 1 vs. stage 4 can be thousands of dollars and, more importantly, it can be the difference between a long, happy life and losing him years too soon.
You are his first and best line of defence. Keep watching, keep learning, and keep those vet visits boring. Your dog will thank you with many more healthy years by your side. ❤️