Disease is a state characterized by an alteration of normal body structure or function. Examples include poisoning, failure of organs, cancer, an inherited defect, etc. The cause of disease include trauma, infection, diet, environment and heredity. Unfortunately, the cause of many diseases is still unknown.
Dog owners should be aware of changes in the dog's normal state. Early detection of disease can improve the chances for a complete recovery from a diseased state. It is important that dog owners become objective, accurate observers of their dogs states and be congnizant of any changes in their dogs behavior and state. Activity level, appetite, water intake, urination, and defacation are frequently altered in the presence of disease.
The body has a limited number of ways of responding to disease-causing agents. Clinical signs are useful indicators that disease is present, but not necessarily specific enough to define the underlying disease-causing agent. The following list of clinical signs are typical indicators of the presence of disease. If your dog exhibits one or more of these clinical signs, you should take your dog to a veterninarian to identify the disease-causing agent and prescribe a proper course of therapy.