A Veterinarian’s Perspective from Daily Practice
I’ve been a licensed veterinarian practicing in Texas for over a decade, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that most pet illnesses don’t start dramatically. They start quietly. A dog that skips a meal. A cat that hides a little more than usual. A “small” issue that an owner hopes will resolve on its own.
Some conditions keep showing up in my exam rooms. Not because owners don’t care, but because these illnesses are common, easy to miss early, and often misunderstood. I’ll walk through the ones I see most often, how they actually present in real life, and the mistakes I’ve watched well-meaning owners make along the way.
Digestive Problems That Aren’t Just “A Sensitive Stomach”
Vomiting and diarrhea are the most frequent reasons people bring their pets to my clinic. Many assume it’s a one-off caused by table scraps or stress. Sometimes they’re right. Often they’re not.
I remember a middle-aged Labrador whose owner brushed off loose stools for weeks because the dog was still energetic. By the time I saw him, he’d lost noticeable muscle mass. We traced it back to a food intolerance that had slowly inflamed his gut. Once we changed his diet and gave his intestines time to heal, the improvement was evident within a month.
In my experience, chronic digestive issues are usually tied to diet, parasites, or inflammatory bowel disease rather than “bad luck.” The mistake I see most is repeated food switching without guidance. Constantly changing proteins and brands can make gut issues worse, not better.
If vomiting or diarrhea lasts more than a couple of days, or keeps coming back, it’s no longer a wait-and-see situation.
Skin Conditions That Signal Deeper Problems
Skin issues are deceptively complex. Owners often focus on the scratching, but itching is just the symptom, not the disease.
I see dogs with raw paws, recurrent ear infections, and thinning fur who’ve been treated repeatedly with antibiotics or steroid sprays without addressing the cause. Environmental allergies are common here in Texas, but food allergies and hormonal imbalances show up more often than people realize.
One case that stuck with me involved a small mixed-breed dog with constant ear infections. The owner had cleaned them religiously and followed every instruction. The breakthrough came when we changed the dog’s protein source and addressed an underlying food sensitivity. The ear infections stopped entirely.
In cats, skin problems often show up as over-grooming rather than scratching. Owners think the cat is just “clean,” but sudden, increased hairballs and bald patches usually point to stress, allergies, or pain elsewhere.
Dental Disease That Hides in Plain Sight
Dental disease is one of the most underappreciated health problems in pets. By the time bad breath becomes noticeable, the disease is usually advanced.
I routinely see older pets who are still eating, so owners assume their mouths are fine. What they don’t see is infected gums, loose teeth, and bacteria entering the bloodstream. I’ve pulled teeth that were barely attached, and the pet felt noticeably better within days.
A few years ago, I treated a senior cat who had stopped jumping onto furniture. The owner assumed it was arthritis. Dental X-rays revealed severe tooth root infections. After extractions, the cat’s activity level rebounded.
Dental pain changes behavior long before it stops pets from eating.
Urinary Tract Issues That Escalate Quickly
Urinary problems are widespread in cats and smaller dog breeds. They can turn serious fast.
I’ve treated male cats who went from straining in the litter box to being completely blocked within hours. That’s a true emergency, and it’s terrifying for owners who didn’t realize how quickly it could happen.
In dogs, recurrent urinary tract infections often point to something else: bladder stones, hormonal changes, or anatomical issues. Simply treating each infection without asking why it keeps happening leads to repeat visits and frustrated owners.
One pattern I see often is reduced water intake. Dry food alone isn’t the villain, but low hydration plays a role in many urinary problems.
Obesity-Related Conditions That Develop Gradually
Obesity isn’t just about weight. It’s about what excess weight does over time.
Joint disease, diabetes, respiratory strain, and even skin infections all become more likely as pets gain weight. The hardest part is that weight gain happens slowly, so owners adjust their perception of what “normal” looks like.
I’ve had more than one conversation that started with “He’s just big-boned” and ended with X-rays showing advanced arthritis. Weight loss doesn’t fix everything, but it often makes a dramatic difference in comfort and mobility.
The most common mistake here isn’t overfeeding meals. It’s constant treats, table food, and underestimating portion sizes.
Respiratory Illnesses That Aren’t Just Kennel Cough
Coughing pets are often assumed to have caught a contagious illness. Sometimes that’s true, especially in dogs that visit groomers or boarding facilities. Other times, coughing signals heart disease or collapsing airways.
I treated a small-breed dog last winter whose cough worsened at night. The owner thought it was a lingering infection. X-rays showed an enlarged heart. Starting heart medication early likely added years of comfortable life.
Cats with respiratory symptoms are often written off as having “a cold.” Still, chronic sneezing or nasal discharge can indicate dental disease, polyps, or viral flare-ups that need long-term management.
Parasites That Don’t Always Cause Obvious Symptoms
Many people expect parasites to be dramatic. Worms in stool. Severe itching. In reality, some of the sickest pets I see look normal on the surface.
I’ve diagnosed heartworm disease in dogs who came in for routine checkups and had no outward signs. By the time symptoms appear, the disease is already advanced.
Internal parasites can cause subtle weight loss, dull coats, or mild digestive issues. External parasites, such as fleas, can trigger severe allergic reactions from just a few bites.
Preventatives aren’t exciting, but they prevent problems that are expensive, painful, and sometimes irreversible.
Behavioral Changes That Are Actually Medical
That is one area I feel strongly about. Behavior is health.
I’ve seen dogs labeled as “aggressive” who were actually in chronic pain. Cats urinating outside the litter box who had bladder inflammation. Senior pets that seemed “confused” but were dealing with untreated thyroid disease or high blood pressure.
One older dog I treated had become withdrawn and snappy. Pain management for arthritis changed his personality back to what the owner remembered from years earlier.
When behavior changes, I look for medical causes before assuming training or discipline is the issue.
How These Illnesses Usually Get Missed
Most common pet illnesses are not missed because owners are careless. They were missed because the signs are gradual, inconsistent, or easy to rationalize.
The pattern I see most often is waiting for multiple symptoms rather than responding to a single persistent change. Appetite, energy level, grooming habits, and bathroom routines tell a story long before lab results do.
From my side of the exam table, earlier intervention almost always means simpler treatment, lower costs, and better outcomes.
Pets are remarkably good at adapting to discomfort. That’s why common illnesses stay common. They hide in plain sight, quietly progressing until they finally demand attention.