Some early signs of disease are so subtle they may not seem important.  But if diseases are caught in their early stages, the treatment success rate is much higher.  If your pet exhibits any of these signs, it is time for an examination:

• A sustained, marked increase in water consumption.  (An abnormal intake is greater than 50 ml/lb/day or about 15 oz total for a 9 lb animal.)
• A sustained, marked increase in urination (or amount of wet litter for cats)
• Substantial weight loss or weight gain
• A marked decrease in appetite or failure to eat for more than 2 consecutive days
• A marked increase in appetite
• Repeated vomiting
• Diarrhea which lasts more than two days and/or the presence of blood in the stool
• Difficulty in passing stool or urine (or in cats, prolonged sitting or lying in the litter box)
• For cats, a change in litter box habits, especially if urination or defecation occurs outside of the litter box
• For dogs, a change in housetraining, especially if urination or defecation occurs in the house
• Lameness
• A noticeable decrease in vision, especially if sudden in onset, or if the pet's pupils do not constrict in bright light
• Masses, open sores, or multiple scabs on your pet's skin
• Foul mouth odor or drooling which lasts for more than two days
• Increasing size of the abdomen
• Increased time spent sleeping or excessive activity
• Generalized or localized hair loss, especially if accompanied by scratching
• Breathing heavily or rapidly at rest, or coughing
• Inability to chew or eat dry food
• Any changes in behavior (for example, destructiveness, irritability, restlessness)
• Excessive discharge from the eyes or nose, or foul odor from the ears
• Excessive head shaking or head tilt.