You have probably had a time when you know your dog is not feeling well. Maybe their behavior has changed, their appetite is off, or their activity level is different.
You are not quite sure exactly what's happening, but you know your dog "Ain't Doing Right." ADR is a term clinicians use in veterinary school, and veterinarians use it within their practices when dog owners come to them and tell them about simple symptoms that could be a common cold or something more serious. Without proper testing and examinations, there is no diagnosis. There is just the agreement that the dog is not feeling well. There are some common causes of ADR in dogs. Your veterinarian may want to do an examination and possibly even perform some tests, such as a complete blood count, for a complete diagnosis.
Dental Pain and Disease
Periodontitis is a painful condition that includes periodontal disease, in which your dog's gums are tender, swollen, and potentially bleeding. As periodontal disease progresses, your dog could not only lose teeth but could also lose bone within the jawline. Unless you brush your dog's teeth regularly and examine its gums and mouth, you may not know your dog has dental disease. However, your dog could become lethargic, grumpy, or experience a loss of appetite. They could have a desire to eat but the inability to do so because of mouth pain.
Arthritis
Is typically a degenerative disease. Arthritis often takes time to build and causes pain, usually before owners realize what's happening with their dog. If your dog is tired and listless or lethargic and unwilling to play as they used to, they may have arthritis. Aching in the bones and joints makes dogs not want to move around much. Your dog may want to sleep more during the day and may not feel well overall. Diagnostic testing and potentially x-rays from your veterinarian will help with an arthritis diagnosis. However, until those steps are completed, your dog might show signs of not feeling well.
Cancer
Cancer is relatively common in older dogs and includes symptoms common in other conditions and diseases. If you suspect your dog is showing signs of ADR, it is essential to have them seen by your veterinarian and diagnosed. Cancer symptoms can also include lethargy, loss of appetite, and weight loss. Cancer can occur in any bone, tissue, or organ within your dog's body. Diagnostic testing and blood work will determine if your dog potentially has cancer or needs biopsy testing to further diagnosis.
Gastrointestinal Issues
If your dog's tummy is upset, lying around might be all your puppy wants to do. Lethargy, loss of appetite, or even vomiting and diarrhea, might be signs that something is not quite right. However, because those signs and symptoms are also across the board for other conditions, it is best to see your veterinarian for a complete diagnosis. Gastrointestinal issues could be cured within a few days after the stomach has cleared itself of upsetting contents. Or there could be different problems that stem from more serious gastrointestinal diseases.
A General Description of General Symptoms
Because there are so many signs and indicators that match symptoms from one condition to another when you take your dog to your veterinarian to be seen. They may mark it as 'ADR' on their chart. The term ADR means "Ain't Doing Right " and is used across the veterinary medicine industry to communicate that. The dog has widespread symptoms that could relate to multiple disorders and generally does not feel well. Many pet owners know their dogs so well that the slightest change in behavior, such as skipping a meal or not chasing after a ball, is enough to tell their pup is feeling down. These are simple signs of ADR. Your dog may feel better in a day or two, or it may require a visit to your veterinarian.
