You should seek the advice of your veterinarian if your pet is ill as only he or she can correctly advise on the diagnosis and recommend the treatment that is most appropriate for your pet.

Sometimes apparently minor signs can be an indication of serious problems. Take for example weight loss

If an animal loses weight it means something is drastically wrong ! The body is well designed so that body weight is kept steady, and if weight is being lost there has to be a problem with one of the following :

• Energy intake - insufficient energy is being consumed in food - for example if the animal is unwilling or unable to eat enough food
• Energy availability - sufficient energy is being taken in in food, but for some reason the animal is unable to digest, absorb or use the energy that is there
• Energy expenditure has increased - the animal has a disorder that is causing energy to be used up faster than it can be taken in by eating. Many major organ diseases eg heart failure, kidney failure cause weight loss -  as do other diseases such as diabetes mellitus and cancer.

In many animals in the early stages of a disease weight loss may be the first obvious sign of a problem - and in chronic diseases gradual weight loss may occur well before other signs are recognisable. So, if you have an animal that is losing weight report it to your veterinarian and get his/her advice.

Updated October 2013