Dog health symptoms

Dandruff in dogs describes an accumulation of dry flakes on the surface of the skin. It is a common symptom affecting dogs of any age and results from a variety of underlying conditions.

A dog’s skin turning black or becoming dark is called hyperpigmentation. As with other mammals, skin color in dogs is related to how much melanin (pigment) is present.

Dark urine is commonly observed in dogs, and is often normal. The color of urine varies for healthy pets, but some illnesses and injuries can contribute to a color change in the urine along with other symptoms.

Decreased drinking is characterized by a change in a dog’s normal intake of water.

Dry gums, sunken eyes, and skin tenting are symptoms of dehydration. Dogs normally have moist gums, shiny, moist, and bulgy eyes, and skin that rebounds instantly when gently pulled away from the body.

Diarrhea, or loose/watery stool, is a common symptom of many conditions in dogs which range from transient and non-serious to life-threatening. Diarrhea ranges in form and severity, and may contain blood, mucus, fat, visible parasites, or foreign matter.

Pica is an uncommon, abnormal behavior where dogs will obsessively or habitually consume non-food items such as rocks,

Difficulty chewing and eating in dogs describes having a visibly hard time picking up, holding, and chewing food.

Difficulty swallowing in dogs, known as dysphagia, is a common symptom with many different underlying triggers.

The pupil is the dark circle located at the center of the iris (the colored portion) of dogs’ eyes. The size of dogs’ pupils varies depending on light levels. When one or both eyes dilate (when the pupil becomes larger), this is called mydriasis.