🩺 Symptoms vs. Signs in Pets – A 2025 Vet Guide by Dr Duncan Houston

When humans feel sick, we can describe our symptoms. We say where it hurts, how long it’s hurt, and what may have caused it. But our pets can’t do the same. In veterinary medicine, we rely on signs—what we can observe and interpret. 🐶🐱

🤔 What’s the Difference?

Symptoms are what you describe to your doctor. They are subjective experiences: pain, nausea, fatigue.

Signs are what a veterinarian or pet owner can see or measure. They are objective: limping, vomiting, coughing, bleeding.

👂 Pets Can’t Tell Us—We Speak For Them

Your job as a pet parent is to notice changes and report signs that may indicate illness. For example:

• 🐾 Limping or holding up a paw
• 🥱 Lethargy or reluctance to move
• 🤢 Vomiting or diarrhea
• 🍽️ Changes in appetite or thirst
• 🚽 Urinating more or less
• 😠 Aggression or hiding behavior

🔍 Example: Limping

If you limp, you might say your heel hurts or your ankle’s swollen. But if your dog is limping, it could be:

• 🦴 A fracture or joint issue
• 🌵 A thorn or foreign body in the paw
• 💅 A cracked nail
• 🐜 Inflammation from an insect bite

Your vet will rely on your observations—when the limp started, how often it occurs, what surfaces it happens on—to narrow down the cause.

📋 What to Share with Your Vet

• 📅 When the sign started
• 📈 Whether it’s getting better, worse, or staying the same
• ⏱️ How frequently it occurs (daily, randomly, only after meals, etc.)
• 📝 Any changes in routine, diet, or environment

The more detail you give, the faster your vet can diagnose and treat the problem. 🩺

🧠 Final Thoughts from Dr Duncan Houston

Veterinarians rely on YOU—the observant, caring pet parent—to report signs of illness. Even minor changes can lead to early diagnosis and better outcomes. Don’t wait until it’s obvious—act when something feels “off.” 🐾❤️

📲 Need Help Spotting Signs of Illness?

Download the Ask A Vet app and chat directly with professionals like Dr Duncan Houston. Get real-time advice to decode signs and decide next steps. 🐕📱