If your Belgian Shepherd suddenly becomes unusually quiet and no longer reacts strongly even when you call its name, it may already be sick. A healthy Belgian Shepherd should normally look energetic, bright-eyed, and alert, with its ears moving responsively. Once the dog suddenly changes and seems dull, the owner should take it seriously and bring the dog to a clinic as early as possible.
Dry Nose and Nasal Discharge in the Belgian Shepherd
A dry nose, runny nose, occasional sneezing, and even watery eyes can all be warning signs. A healthy Belgian Shepherd usually has a moist nose leather with a slight cool feeling to the touch. In a sick dog, the nose may become dry, and in severe cases may even crack. At the same time, the nasal cavity may produce clear watery discharge or thicker mucus. Repeated sneezing and tearing often mark the early stage of many illnesses.
Abnormal Bowel Movements in the Belgian Shepherd
Abnormal stool is another important warning sign. A healthy puppy usually defecates around three times a day, while an adult dog typically does so about twice. The color varies with food, but is commonly black, dark brown, or yellow-brown, and the texture should be neither too hard nor too soft. Ideally, it can be picked up with tissue and only leaves a slight mark on the ground.
If the stool is so soft that it drops while being picked up, it is already too loose. If it is extremely hard and leaves almost no trace at all, it may be too dry. If the Belgian Shepherd suddenly develops diarrhea, paste-like stool, watery stool, rock-hard stool, or stool with blood streaks or jelly-like material, all of these should be considered signs of disease.