Double J Animal Hospital of Double J Animal Hospital in Hobbs, New Mexico, warned that pets frequently mask discomfort and that small changes in behaviour can be the first signs of illness.

That silence matters because everyday shifts — a dog that may limp subtly or avoid play, or a cat that becomes quiet or skips meals — can precede more severe disease, Justice said.

Justice, identified in the piece as a veterinary expert at Double J Animal Hospital, described why routine observation matters. “Pets, he explains, often conceal pain instinctively, making routine veterinary exams and behavioral observation essential to early detection,” he said, urging owners to notice even modest differences in mobility or mood. Common overlooked signs include gradual changes in grooming habits, mild discharge from eyes or nose, bad breath, and persistent scratching.

He offered a second, concrete prompt for owners watching their animals: “A moment’s hesitation on the stairs or reduced interest in play could be the only warning sign a pet gives,” Justice said. He noted that changes in gait or increased sleeping could also be critical indicators that owners should monitor closely.

Professional groups cited in the article frame his advice. The American Animal Hospital Association is credited with research showing many signs of illness in pets go unrecognized, while the American Veterinary Medical Association is noted for a study on the benefits of annual checkups. Those organizations’ findings underscore the role of routine exams in catching disease before it progresses. Pet wellness check-ups are vital as they allow veterinarians to perform full physical exams and run screening tests that can detect diseases such as kidney disease and diabetes.

Veterinarians and clinics routinely rely on owners to flag changes in behaviour between visits; Justice told readers that owners are often the first to notice a subtle decline. Incorporating remote health monitoring technologies, such as wearable devices that track activity levels and heart rates, can also significantly enhance an owner’s ability to recognize these subtle health changes over time. The piece links the clinic where he practices, Double J Animal Hospital, and situates his comments in Hobbs, New Mexico.

Practical signs listed in the coverage include altered gait, increased sleeping, withdrawal from interaction and shifts in eating habits. Those signals are easily missed because they can develop slowly or be written off as aging or temperament, the article explains. Understanding these nuances is essential for proactive care.

Beyond behavioural clues, the article draws on broader material about early detection and preventive care. For readers seeking an expanded list of subtle symptoms and how owners can sharpen observation, the piece points to resources such as common-signs guides maintained by veterinary clinics online; one such guide appears at Houstonvetclinicga.

Justice framed the conversation around the practical reality that animals evolved to hide weakness, which complicates pain management and diagnosis. He encouraged routine veterinary exams combined with careful home observation so that small, early changes can prompt further evaluation.

The reporting places those recommendations in the context of professional research and clinical practice: associations and veterinary clinics emphasize that early screening and owner vigilance expand treatment options and can reduce suffering when disease is discovered sooner rather than later.

At the close of the article, readers are reminded that routine checkups and attentive observation work together. Justice’s remarks aim to shift attention from dramatic symptoms to the quiet signals that often come first.

Source

Original reporting: view the original article.