How do dogs act with a bacterial infection?

Dogs are the most loyal companions of humans, and their health concerns every owner. When dogs are unfortunately infected with bacteria, their behavior will show a series of obvious changes, and these changes are their "help signals" to their owners.

Bacterial infection is like an "invisible killer" lurking in the dog's body, quietly eroding their health. Once the infection occurs, the dog will first have a significant change in mental state. The originally lively and energetic dog may suddenly become listless. He used to run over as soon as he heard the owner's call, but now he has no interest in everything around him, often lying alone in the corner with a dull look in his eyes. This kind of mental depression is like a dark cloud covering the sunshine in the dog's heart, making them lose their former enthusiasm. ​

In terms of diet, the impact of bacterial infection is also very prominent. Dogs may have a loss of appetite, and they only smell their favorite food and turn away. This is because bacteria are playing tricks in the body, affecting their digestive system. Some dogs may even experience vomiting and diarrhea. Abnormal vomit and excrement are manifestations of the body's efforts to fight infection. Imagine that the dog's small body is suffering from such discomfort. They cannot express it in words, and can only convey their pain through these behaviors, which is really distressing. ​

Bacterial infection can also interfere with the dog's body temperature regulation system. Many dogs infected with bacteria will have a fever, which is what we often call a fever. Their bodies will become hot, and their noses will no longer be moist and cold as usual, but dry and hot. Dogs may frequently look for cool places, such as tile floors or shady corners, because of the heat in their bodies, trying to make themselves feel more comfortable. This abnormal behavior caused by physical discomfort is their instinctive response to the adverse effects of bacterial infection. ​

Whether a dog is infected with bacteria can also be seen from the skin and hair. If a dog is infected with certain bacteria, the skin may show symptoms such as erythema, itching, and hair loss. Dogs will scratch their bodies constantly to try to relieve the discomfort caused by itching. Their hair will also become rough and dull, losing its former smoothness. These skin and hair problems not only affect the dog's appearance, but more importantly, they put the dog in endless pain. Seeing the dog irritable and restless because of itching, the owner feels as uncomfortable as being scratched by a cat. ​

The dog's respiratory tract is also prone to becoming a "hard-hit area" for bacterial infection. When the respiratory tract is invaded by bacteria, the dog will cough and sneeze. The cough may become low and violent, and every cough is like struggling to expel the germs in the body. Sneezing will also be much more frequent than usual, and sometimes even some secretions will be sprayed out. These respiratory symptoms not only make the dog breathe poorly, but may also affect their sleep and daily life. They may have difficulty falling asleep due to coughing and sneezing, or be suddenly interrupted by a cough while playing and have to stop to rest. ​

The impact of bacterial infection on dog joints should not be ignored. Some bacterial infections can cause arthritis, causing pain and swelling in the dog's joints. Dogs will become lame when walking and are unwilling to run and jump like before. They will appear to be particularly strenuous when going up and down stairs, and may even refuse to go up and down stairs. Dogs who were once full of energy and loved to explore are now restricted in their movements due to joint pain, which is undoubtedly a great torture for them. ​

When dogs face bacterial infections, their behavior changes in many ways. These changes not only reflect their physical pain, but also show us their strength. As owners, we must always pay attention to the dog's every move, and take them to the veterinarian as soon as we find that their behavior is abnormal. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for dogs to overcome bacterial infections. Every subtle behavioral change may be a key clue to save the dog's health. Let us accompany dogs through the difficult period of bacterial infection with more love and care, so that they can regain their former vitality and happiness.