Dogs are pretty resilient little creatures and often get knocks or grazes just from diving through the undergrowth or jumping to catch a ball.

These injuries often sort or heal with a couple of days rest, but sometimes dogs quietly display symptoms that require urgent medical care.  Worst is, that we don't always recognise the symptoms!

Here are 10 of those:

Fever - A higher temperature usually means infection.  A dog's natural temperature is 100.5 to 102.5 degrees F.  If your dog's temperature is higher than normal head to your vet.  Often they feel hot and have a dry nose, see your vet.

Loss of Appetite - Not wanting to eat can be the first sign of illness in your dog.  If your dog hasn't eaten in 24 hours you should take them to be seen by your vet.

Weight loss - This happens because of appetite loss or it can occur when a dog's body uses or eliminates essential dietary nutrients faster than they are replenished.  A ten-percent loss of your dog’s normal body weight will indicate a problem to your vet.

Lethargy or Extreme Exhaustion - A dog who seems slow to respond to sights, sounds and other stimuli in his or her environment for more than 24 hours should be seen by your vet.

Coughing - A persistent cough could be one of many things including an obstruction, kennel cough, bronchitis, pneumonia, heart-worm disease, heart failure, and tumours of the lung.  All problems that you need to detect early.

Difficulty Breathing - Shortness of breath, or laboured breathing in or out, can mean that your dog is not getting enough oxygen.  It can signal a heart problem, which is causing a fluid build-up in the lungs or chest cavity.

Trouble urinating - This includes straining to urinate and frequent attempts to urinate with little result.  If your dog cries while trying to urinate, or is excessively licking the area, make an appointment with your vet.  This could indicate an infection/blockage that can lead to uremic poisoning and death.

Blood in Diarrhoea, Urine, Vomit - If you see fresh or older blood in your dog's bodily fluid, this is an obvious cause for concern.  It may be something has been ingested or a blockage.  It could be worse and your pet may have an underlying symptom of cancer, however it may be something minor.  Don't take the risk and wait.

Pacing, Restlessness, Unproductive Retching - When a dog paces and can't settle down, it can signal pain, discomfort, or distress.  Bloating can be a sign of a twisted stomach which is urgent and often starts with these symptoms

Fainting or Collapsing - A dog who has suddenly lost strength that causes him or her to fall has fainted.  This is an EMERGENCY, even if your dog recovers quickly and seems normal again within seconds. Whatever the reason it is serious.

Red Eye(s) - This is when the white area of the eye becomes bright red.  It signals inflammation or infection of one of several diseases affecting the eyes which can lead to blindness.

Make sure you look after your pooch from nose to tail.  We all love our best friend's and all of the above would have you running for your Doctor, why not your dog to theirs?!!