Here’s how to tell when all is not well with your dog’s health.

1. Your dog has bad breath

1. Your dog has bad breath
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Dog breath is never minty fresh, but sometimes that stink is a signal for a life-threatening problem.

Bad dog breath is caused by the bacteria that form plaque on your pet’s teeth.

But those bacteria can travel into the nasal passages and sinuses, leading to respiratory problems.

If they make it into the blood stream, they could wreak havoc in the liver, kidneys, or heart.

Brush your dog’s teeth daily and give him treats or toys made especially for dental hygiene.

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2. Your dog's ears droop

2. Your dog's ears droop
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A dog’s ears may droop if he feels sad—or has an ear infection.

Dogs can develop three types of ear infections: outer, middle, and inner.

Symptoms of outer ear problems—drooping ears, redness, discharge, and a bad odor—require a trip to the vet.

If not treated, outer infections can turn into middle and inner ear infections, which may cause hearing loss.

3. Your dog has black patches on his gums

3. Your dog has black patches on his gums
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According to the Banfield Pet Hospital network, dental disease affects 93 percent of dogs over the age of three.

When food particles and bacteria aren’t cleaned off a dog’s gums, they get inflamed and plaque can form.

That plaque can turn into gingivitis and, in severe cases, tooth loss.

If your pet’s normally pink gums are inflamed or develop black patches, contact your vet.

Here’s how to tell when all is not well with your dog’s health.

4. Your dog has no waist

4. Your dog has no waist
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An hourglass figure is a quick indicator of a healthy dog.

But if your dog has no tucked-in area between her rib cage and hips, your dog is probably overweight.

The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention estimates that 54 percent of dogs in America are overweight, and like humans, this makes animals vulnerable to other medical complications, like cancer, diabetes, and kidney disease.

It can even decrease life expectancy by 2.5 years.

5. Your dog’s eyes are cloudy

5. Your dog’s eyes are cloudy
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Though it’s not conclusive, cloudy eyes are a strong indicator of cataracts.

If the cloudiness covers more than half of the eye lens, your dog’s vision becomes obstructed and he could eventually go blind.

Cataracts can also be a sign of diabetes, if your dog shows other symptoms like drinking and urinating more.

A third cause is nuclear sclerosis, a benign aging change that fortunately doesn’t really impair vision.

6. Your dog’s bladder is out of whack

6. Your dog’s bladder is out of whack
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There may be a medical explanation for why your house-trained dog suddenly had an accident inside.

Excessive urination (polyuria) and excessive drinking (polydipsia) are symptoms of kidney failure, diabetes, and liver diseases.

For instance, if your pet is dehydrated, her kidneys won’t be able to retain water, so they will urinate more frequently.

Here’s how to tell when all is not well with your dog’s health.

7. Your dog keeps chasing their tail

7. Your dog keeps chasing their tail
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You read that right. If your dog runs in circles more often than normal, it could have an inner ear infection called labyrinthitis.

It affects a dog’s posture, balance, and coordination, so your dog may seem dizzy for no apparent reason.

However, if your dog is older, it could have idiopathic vestibular syndrome, which usually appears suddenly and can cause dizziness to the point of incapacitation.

It has no known cause and could require hospitalization.

8. Your dog's breathing hard

8. Your dog's breathing hard
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Panting is a dog’s way of cooling down, but labored breathing, or dyspnea, can be life-threatening.

Dyspnea can be caused by complications in the nose, throat, lungs, or chest.

Your dog may not be getting enough oxygen in his bloodstream.

Difficulty breathing is also a symptom of heartworm disease, which can cause fatal damage to the lungs.

Luckily, the disease is treatable if detected early enough.

9. Unusual doggie sneezes

9. Unusual doggie sneezes
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Like humans, dogs sneeze clear nasal discharge when they have allergies.

However, if the mucus is gray and cloudy, thick and green, or bloody, there’s cause for concern.

Your pet could have a fungal infection or nasal cancer.

Your vet will likely perform an x-ray or CT scan to confirm the diagnosis.

Here’s how to tell when all is not well with your dog’s health.

10. Your dog's aggression surprises you

10. Your dog's aggression surprises you
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Any other day, your dog is polite and well-behaved.

But today, he’s snarling and growling, even at people he knows.

What happened?

Unprecedented aggression could be a sign of hypothyroidism, seizures, or brain diseases.

Your dog could also be in severe pain, acting aggressive to keep people from touching him.

All of these potential causes require an urgent visit to your vet.

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