How to Check a Dog's Health at Home.

It is up to you to determine whether something is wrong because your dog cannot tell you. It's a good idea to have a health check list of things to look out for on a regular basis as a responsible dog owner. By doing this, you can become familiar with your dog's typical behaviour and quickly recognise any changes. Making an appointment with your veterinarian right away if you notice anything concerning increases the likelihood that any health issues will be identified early. Get your new puppy acclimated to being examined as soon as possible if you have one. Keep it gentle and give your dog proper praise.

So let's get started and work our way backwards, starting at the tip of the nose.

1. Examine and feel the nose of your dog.

The nose of your dog might not be chilly and damp. You shouldn't be concerned if your dog has a warm or slightly dry nose but otherwise appears to be healthy and is eating and drinking properly. Look for any pain or discharge in your dog's nose. In some breeds, excessive dryness and scaliness can be a hereditary condition.

2. Examine your dog's eyes.

The eyes should be clear. A small amount of discharge from normal tears will result in a blackish residue accumulating in the corner of the eye. This is common in most dogs. You should take your dog to the vet if you notice any of the following symptoms:

• Green or yellow discharge • Excessive watering • Squinting or closing of one or both eyes, indicating pain

• If your dog rubs their eye, the whites of their eyes appear more pink/red than usual.

3. Examine and smell both ears.

Understand your dog's regular behaviour. Problems might be concealed by hairy or floppy ears. Consult your veterinarian for help as hair in and of itself is not always a concern and sometimes plucking it out might cause inflammation. Wax can be normal and protective in modest amounts, but too much can cause irritation and infection. Consult a veterinarian if you discover:

 

Redness, sticky or purulent discharge, black crumbly discharge, your dog scratching at their ear(s), a foul smell, pain in or around the ear, and swelling that closes the opening to the ear.

The veterinarian will frequently recommend drops for your dog if you do discover a problem and take it to the office. In some cases, they'll ask you to regularly clean your dog's ears to stop issues from recurring. It is crucial that you follow veterinary advice exclusively in this situation.

4. The gums and teeth

Try to routinely check your dog's teeth and gums, but be cautious because some dogs won't let you! Most of the time, all that is required to inspect the teeth is to raise or lower the lips. What you should be on the lookout for is this:

• Redness at the gum/tooth margin, which typically begins or gets worse on the back teeth; • Brown tartar buildup

• Bad odours • Gum issues where the teeth roots are visible, which can be extremely uncomfortable

• Any visible tumours on the gums or under the mouth.

Your veterinarians and nurses will be more than pleased to provide you with guidance on how to maintain your dog's dental health at home and what foods may help.

5. The fur of your dog

You can check the skin on your body with your hands and eyes. First, take notice of any obvious changes in the coat and whether your dog is biting, chewing, or scratching the skin. Look everywhere, including between the pads and under the front legs. Even if you regularly treat for fleas, don't forget to look for signs of them. Flea droppings like specks of soot. Rashes can take the form of red rings or spots and are rather common. As you examine the skin, you can also find lumps and pimples.

6. Nails

Never overlook checking your dog's nails. Dew claws should always be checked on dogs with long hair, since they can grow round and bury themselves in the pad. Owners frequently worry about the length of their nails and are hesitant to trim them themselves for fear of making them bleed.

7. Your dog's rear end

Look under your dog's tail to round off your examination. Smell glands, or anal glands, are located towards the bottom. If they do, they may become affected or infected and cause discomfort. Normally, you won't see anything, but if either side of the anus is swollen or red, you should have your veterinarian examine it. In most cases, full anal glands rather than worms are to blame when your dog drags his rear end around the floor.