<p>No one really wants to talk shit, but knowing your shit makes a difference in reporting symptoms to your vet. Especially when your furkid is unwell. Here’s a guide for you to grade your pet’s poo:</p><figure class="image"><img src="https://cms.gaiavets.com/uploads/What_Does_My_Dog_s_Poo_Say_About_His_Health_c1a0e49e00.jpg" alt="What Does My Dog's Poo Say About His Health.jpg" srcset="https://cms.gaiavets.com/uploads/thumbnail_What_Does_My_Dog_s_Poo_Say_About_His_Health_c1a0e49e00.jpg 110w, https://cms.gaiavets.com/uploads/small_What_Does_My_Dog_s_Poo_Say_About_His_Health_c1a0e49e00.jpg 353w, https://cms.gaiavets.com/uploads/medium_What_Does_My_Dog_s_Poo_Say_About_His_Health_c1a0e49e00.jpg 530w, https://cms.gaiavets.com/uploads/large_What_Does_My_Dog_s_Poo_Say_About_His_Health_c1a0e49e00.jpg 707w" sizes="100vw" width="707"></figure><p>Download the printable PDF <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QxIN4UL7CVfPgJfC65eE3VUevNw7xFDP/view?usp=drive_link" download="file"><u>here</u></a> for your easy reference.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h2>What Does My Pet's Poo Tell Us?</h2><ol><li><strong>Pebble Poo</strong> means your pet is dehydrated so make sure you provide sufficient clean water.<br>&nbsp;</li><li><strong>Perfect Poo </strong>is what you want to see all the time because it’s normal.<br>&nbsp;</li><li><strong>Pile-of-Poo, Shapeless Poo and Puddle-of-Poo</strong> should set off some alarms in your head because it’s could be a symptom for an ailment. Next steps for you as a pet owner is to observe and bring your furkid to see us at Gaia or visit your vet.</li></ol><p>Check out our poop chart for guinea pigs <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gaiavets.com/blog/guinea-pig-poop-chart"><u>here</u></a> as well.</p><p>Our team at Gaia Veterinary Centre is always here if you need it. Even if it means dealing with sh*t. Contact us for a consult today:&nbsp;</p><ul><li><p class="p1"><span class="s1"><strong>Jalan Besar Main Hospital</strong> at </span><a href="tel:%20+65%2069504533"><span class="s1 s2">6950 4533</span></a><span class="s1"> or</span></p></li><li><p class="p1"><span class="s1"><strong>Parksuites Clinic, Holland Grove Rd</strong> at </span><a href="tel:%20+65%2067277511"><span class="s1 s2">6727 7511</span></a></p></li></ul>

<p>As a responsible pet owner, the well-being of our furry kid is the top of our priority. Recognising when to take your pet to a vet clinic in Singapore can be a life-saving decision.</p><p>While most pet owners know the basics, there are subtle signs that can often be missed by pet owners. That is why we compile a comprehensive guide contributed by our seasoned team of vets for your benefit.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h2>When Should I Bring my Pet to the Vet?</h2><ol style="list-style-type:decimal;"><li><h4>10 Subtle Symptoms to Check for Your Pet's Health</h4></li><li><h4>The Importance of Annual Check-ups for Pets</h4></li><li><h4>5 Serious Symptoms That Require Urgent Vet Attention</h4></li></ol><p>&nbsp;</p><h2>10 Subtle Symptoms to Check for Your Pet's Health</h2><p>Understanding these signs in-depth allows you to act quickly and seek professional vet assistance. It is important to know your pet's usual behaviour and detecting such subtle changes can help you to save your pet’s life in the long run.</p><h4>1) Change in Appetite</h4><p>If your pet is suddenly eating less or more, it could signal dental problems, digestive issues, or even cancer. Subtle changes like chewing on one side could also indicate a broken tooth or gum infection.</p><h4>2) Fatigue</h4><p>Most pet owners often assume that their pet is being lazy when it suddenly becomes consistently tired. However, this fatigue could be a symptom of heart disease, anaemia, or chronic fatigue syndrome and they can be common in certain pet breeds.</p><h4>3) Excessive Thirst or Urination</h4><p>Besides diabetes or kidney issues, excessive thirst or urination could also point to liver disease or a hormonal imbalance like Cushing's disease. That is why it is important to monitor their water intake regularly.</p><h4>4) Difficulty Breathing</h4><p>If your pet starts coughing or seems to have difficulty breathing, it could be a sign for underlying heart issues or respiratory diseases such as asthma or bronchitis. Do note that certain pet breeds especially the brachycephalic ones like Pugs, French Bulldogs, Siamese and Himalayan cats, etc. are more prone to respiratory problems as well. This can be an emergency.</p><h4>5) Unusual Discharges</h4><p>Always take note of nasal or eye discharges from your pet. These symptoms could be due to respiratory infections or allergies. Persistent ear discharge might indicate an ear infection common in pet breeds with floppy ears.</p><h4>6) Digestive Issues</h4><p>If your pet has chronic diarrhoea or vomiting, it could signify food intolerance, parasite infections, pancreatitis, or inflammatory bowel disease. Changes in stool consistency or colour can also reveal underlying problems.</p><h4>7) Sudden Weight Change</h4><p>Rapid weight fluctuations could be signs of thyroid problems or underlying metabolic disorders. That is why it is important for pet owners to weigh their pets regularly for early detection of such disorders.</p><p>In fact, you can also do a visual check of your cat’s or dog’s body conditioning score regularly, this will inform you if they have lost too much weight or gained too much.</p><h4>8) Changes in Mobility</h4><p>If your pet has difficulties in moving around, they can be signs of arthritis, hip dysplasia, or neurological disorders. Specific breeds are more prone to these issues, and early interventions via medication or hydrotherapy can improve quality of their furry life.</p><h4>9) Behavioural Changes</h4><p>Sudden changes in behaviour can be a sign of cognitive dysfunction syndrome which is similar to dementia in humans. Pain, anxiety, or neurological conditions might also be the cause as well.</p><h4>10) Skin Issues</h4><p>Skin problems are more than just irritants; they might reveal autoimmune diseases, hormonal imbalances, or underlying allergies. Specific pet breeds may also have hereditary skin conditions.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h2>The Importance of Annual Check-ups for Pets</h2><p>Just as humans need regular health check-ups, our pets need check-ups as well.</p><p>An annual health check can help to</p><ul><li>Detect potential issues before they escalate.</li><li>Ensure vaccinations are up to date.</li><li>Address nutritional, diet-related queries, and behavioural concerns.</li><li>Provide breed-specific care tips, especially for popular breeds like Siamese cats, Shih Tzus, or Labradors.</li></ul><p>&nbsp;</p><h2>5 Serious Symptoms That Require Urgent Vet Attention</h2><p>These serious symptoms are emergencies and warrant immediate veterinary care.</p><h4>1) Uncontrolled Bleeding</h4><p>Whether it is external from a wound or internal manifested as blood in urine or faeces, uncontrolled bleeding can be life-threatening. It might indicate underlying clotting disorders, trauma, or even tumours. Specific breeds are more prone to clotting issues. Seek immediate veterinary care as blood transfusions or surgery could be necessary.</p><h4>2) Seizures</h4><p>A single seizure might not be life-threatening but could signal underlying epilepsy, liver or kidney disease, or even brain tumours. Repeated seizures in a short time frame are a definite emergency. Treatment might involve anti-convulsant medications and specific dietary changes tailored to your pet's needs. It is important to note that delaying treatment can cause irreversible neurological damage.</p><h4>3) Loss of Consciousness</h4><p>Collapsing or loss of consciousness may be a sign of severe heart disease, neurological issues, or acute metabolic disorders. That is why it is important to understand the underlying causes through a full blood test, radiographs, and even an ECG for heart rhythm analysis.</p><h4>4) Severe Trauma</h4><p>Besides visible injuries, trauma (such as being hit by a car or falling from height) can cause internal injuries that aren't immediately noticeable. It could lead to a ruptured spleen, bladder, or other life-threatening internal damages.</p><p>Specific breeds have more fragile bones, making them more susceptible to fractures. We recommend immediate imaging like x-rays or ultrasound to assess the extent of injuries.</p><h4>5) Intense Pain</h4><p>Continuous crying, aggressive behaviour when touched, or refusal to move can be signs of acute pain. This might be due to gastric torsion (a twisted stomach), pancreatitis, or a ruptured disc.</p><p>Going to the vet can provide you with a peace of mind. If you have doubts, don't hesitate to reach out to us.</p><p>We’ve recently launched our second <a href="tel:+6567277511" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><u>vet clinic at Holland Grove Road</u></a>, offering a comprehensive suite of in-house services including blood tests, X-rays, and other health analysis.</p><p>If you need anything, don't hesitate to contact us immediately. We're just a<strong> </strong><a href="tel: +6569504533" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><u>phone call</u></a><strong> </strong>away.</p>

Medically reviewed by Dr. Arman Chen, BVSc (Qld.), BSc (Leic.)

When Should I Bring my Pet to the Vet?

<p>This is also known as scooting. As cute as that sounds, it is your dog’s way of relieving himself/herself of discomfort or itch.</p><figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:1252/804;" src="https://cms.gaiavets.com/uploads/Is_Scooting_is_a_Problem_for_Your_Dog_74848e7508.png" alt="A dog with an itchy backside can be a symptom for more serious issues" srcset="https://cms.gaiavets.com/uploads/thumbnail_Is_Scooting_is_a_Problem_for_Your_Dog_74848e7508.png 243w,https://cms.gaiavets.com/uploads/small_Is_Scooting_is_a_Problem_for_Your_Dog_74848e7508.png 500w,https://cms.gaiavets.com/uploads/medium_Is_Scooting_is_a_Problem_for_Your_Dog_74848e7508.png 750w,https://cms.gaiavets.com/uploads/large_Is_Scooting_is_a_Problem_for_Your_Dog_74848e7508.png 1000w," sizes="100vw" width="1252" height="804"><figcaption><i>An icky itchy bum can be really uncomfortable for your pup. Some warm water and gentle cleansing will help!</i></figcaption></figure><p>There are many possible causes ranging from mild to the more serious. That is why knowing what that ‘pain-in-the-butt’ means, is the first step to helping your furry buddy.&nbsp;</p><p>Your dog could be scooting because of...</p><h2>1) Scooting from Skin Irritation</h2><p>Did your dog go to the groomer’s recently? It is possible that the skin at the bum area or under the tail is just itching from clipper burns. &nbsp;</p><h3>What You Can Do:</h3><p>Check for little nicks or clipper burns (signs of rash or redness). Clean and dry that area, and use a warm compress to ease the itch. If it gets worse, get some topical cream from the vet. &nbsp;</p><p>Another possible cause of irritation is a dirty, messy bottom due to diarrhoea. Wet poop stuck to matted fur can cause a lot of discomfort. &nbsp;In this case, give your dog a bum bath with warm water and then make sure that area is dry. You can also trim off some of the matted fur carefully. If the diarrhoea persists after 24 hours, you should contact your vet.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h2>2) Scooting from Clogged Up Anal Glands</h2><p>Anal glands hold thick, oily and smelly liquid which naturally gets released when your dog poops. Normal bowel movements will trigger these glands to be emptied completely. But sometimes, your dog’s anal glands can become blocked.&nbsp;</p><blockquote><p>"If your dog is constantly chewing, licking the area around his/her anus and have trouble pooping, it is likely to be problems with the anal glands." -&nbsp;Dr. Arman Chen, BVSc (Qld.), BAppSc (Qld.)</p></blockquote><h3>What You Can Do:&nbsp;</h3><p>Bring your dog to the vet to get the anal glands checked out or expressed. Dietary adjustments may be necessary to ensure your dog is pooping properly, e.g. more fibre for better bowel movements.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h2>3) Scooting due to Infected Anal Glands</h2><p>These usually occur if the anal glands remain clogged up and start to form abscesses. Your dog may show symptoms such as shivering, being in pain and having trouble sitting.&nbsp;</p><p>If left untreated, abscessed anal glands can rupture. You may notice smelly, bloody and/or pustular discharge from your dog's anal region. &nbsp;</p><h3>What You Can Do:</h3><p>Get your dog immediate medical attention. He/she may need antibiotics to clear the infection.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h2>4) Scooting due to Intestinal Parasites</h2><p>A tapeworm infestation can cause frequent scooting. Your dog could have ingested fleas or stuff infested with tapeworms.&nbsp;</p><p>If you notice small segments that resemble rice grains in your dog’s poop or attached to the anus, those are bits of tapeworm. &nbsp;</p><h3>What You Can Do:</h3><p>A trip to the vet for some deworming medication will get rid of these worms. To protect your dog from tapeworms, you need to be up to date with feeding your doggo preventive medication. &nbsp;</p><p>There you go. Next time when your dog starts dragging his bum, you know what to do.&nbsp;</p><p>Remember that you are not alone in this. We have an entire team of dedicated vets, techs and nurses to help you take care of your furry buddies. Book an appointment with us at <a href="tel: +65 69504533" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><u>6950 4533</u></a> (Jalan Besar) or <a href="tel: +65 67277511" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><u>6727 7511</u></a> (Parksuites, Holland Grove Rd).</p>

Handy Guide: What's Normal or Abnormal Dog Poo?

What Does My Pet's Poo Tell Us?

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