Understanding what's normal for your dog is the first step in identifying any potential health problems. As you are the one spending the most time with your dog, you may notice subtle changes or issues that need professional attention. Even seemingly minor alterations could be early indicators of serious conditions, and swift detection can make a significant difference in your pet's well-being.
It's highly recommended to familiarize yourself with your dog's normal behavior and appearance by doing regular "mini" health checks at home. Here's how you can conduct these checks:
Observation:
Before initiating any physical contact, observe your pet's posture, breathing pattern, activity level, and overall demeanor. These can offer important clues about their health.
Physical Exam:
In the course of this hands-on check, pay attention to the following key areas:
Nose:
- Normal - Should be clean and moist.
- Abnormal - If it's dry, cracked, or if there's any discharge or bleeding.
Skin and Coat:
- Normal - The coat should be glossy and smooth, with the skin being soft and without breaks. A minimal odor is also normal.
- Abnormal - Patchy or sparse coat, presence of open sores or wounds, oily or greenish discharge, or a foul smell.
Eyes:
- Normal - Eyes should appear bright, moist, clear, and properly positioned. Pupils should be of equal size, and react equally to light and darkness.
- Abnormal - Dull, sunken, dry eyes, unusual discharge, abnormally positioned eyes, different pupil sizes, abnormal color, or different responses to light and dark.
Ears:
- Normal - Clean, dry, nearly odor-free, characteristic to breed, and pain-free.
- Abnormal - Presence of wounds or scabs, discharge, strong odor, non-typical positioning, or any signs of pain or swelling.
Mouth:
- Normal - Teeth should be clean, white, and gums uniformly pink.
- Abnormal - Tartar build-up around teeth, or gums that are red, pale, inflamed, or look sore.
Neck, Chest, and Breathing:
- Normal - The breathing should be quiet unless the pet is panting, and the chest should move easily during respiration.
- Abnormal - Unusual noises during breathing, difficulty in moving the chest wall, heavy involvement of the abdomen in breathing, or the inability to rest or lie down.
Abdomen:
- Normal - No discernible lumps, bumps, or discomfort upon palpation.
- Abnormal - Any noticeable lump or bump, signs of discomfort, or a hard, distended abdomen.
Hydration (Skin Turgor Test):
- Normal - The skin quickly returns to its position when released.
- Abnormal - The skin returns slowly or stays slightly tented, possibly indicating dehydration.
Heart Rate and Pulse:
- Normal - 60 to 160 bpm. The pulse should be easy to feel, strong, and regular.
- Abnormal - Pulse rate too fast or too slow, weak, irregular, or hard to find.
Temperature (using a digital rectal thermometer):
- Normal - Between 101F and 102.5F.
- Abnormal - Below 100F or above 103F.
Conducting these regular checks can help you identify abnormalities earlier. Remember, though, that these home checks are not a replacement for professional veterinary examinations. They're meant to complement them. Any unusual findings should prompt immediate consultation with a vet. Regularly noting down these observations can be a good reference point during veterinary consultations, as it helps in understanding any deviations from your pet's normal state.
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