Routine Health Checks to Make at Home

Dogs are prone to contract infection and illness very easily from just about anything. Their bodies need to be taken care of regularly. Even the slight difference in body temperature can make them ill. Most pet owners do not concern themselves much with the care taking of their pets. They are not bothered what their pet eat and do. They become conscious of their pets’ problems only when their pets fall ill, and then they rush them to the veterinary doctor for medication. Unlike this, the owners can check their pet’s health everyday, in a very simple way, thereby preventing their pets from getting any serious illness.

Daily observation helps the owners to bring out any differences in their pets, like change in the body temperature, urination, color of the eyes, body strain, starving, and excessive drinking. It does not take much time to perform a self-examination of a pet’s body. One can easily check the health of the pet, in the following ways.

Always check the body temperature. The temperature should remain normal. Any abnormal temperature is a sign of illness. Please check the mammary tissue of the female, and the testicles in the case of a male dog, for any swelling or changes.

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The eyes are a very important and conspicuous part of a dog’s body. A slight watery discharge in the eyes is normal, but it is a sign of illness if it is very thick. The unusual reddish color of the eyes is also a sign of illness. Aged dogs develop cloudiness of the lens, but very often it can lead to blindness, if care and treatment is not administered properly.

Heat or an abnormal pain in the ear indicates illness. The odor of the ear is also a vital sign of disease. The owner should try to see any abnormal discharge from the nose. The color of the nose may be found to be changing. Older dogs often develop cracks and crusts on the nose, which needs to be treated regularly.

Please also check for soreness or discomfort in your dog’s mouth. Bad breath indicates some impending disease that needs to be checked out immediately by a vet. A poor coat quality should also be checked for every time.

Paws also need to be taken care of and checked regularly. In some dogs, claws are overgrown, but not worn out. They continue to grow inside the flesh, and need to be operated upon later. Very often, an owner can spot swelling around the anus, caused by anal adenoma. It is a sign of anal gland problems.

Normal breathing is very important, to make sure that the pets are in normal condition. Abnormal breathing is a sign of illness. Respiratory problems become more and more regular in aged dogs.

Thus, regular checking of the pets can help the owner spot any problems that crop up in their pets. Many times dogs try to hide their illness and discomfort. In such situations, regular check up helps the owner in identifying any difference in his/her pet very easily.

Contributed by the Dog Care Secrets Staff

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