An important part of being a responsible dog owner is ensuring the overall health and wellbeing of your dog.
That can look like pet weight management or feeding superfoods, but what’s crucial is also learning how to recognise signs of illness early on so you can address it.
We outline a simple checklist you can use to assess your furry friend’s health at home, to determine what is normal (or not). By conducting "mini" physical exams regularly, you can better detect any unwarranted health changes, and promptly work with your veterinarian for appropriate care.
A healthy dog’s nose should look clean and feel moist.
An occasional small amount of clear nasal discharge is normal, but if you notice mucus that is milky yellow or thick and greenish, you should schedule a veterinarian visit. Another abnormal sign is if your dog’s nose is bleeding.
If you notice your dog’s nose fading in colour, it might be a condition called “snow nose”. This is generally not a cause for concern, but consider speaking with your veterinarian if this hypopigmentation happens in combination with the aforementioned abnormal signs.
A healthy dog should have a shiny and smooth coat, soft unbroken skin, and minimal odour. Don’t forget to look at the hidden areas such as between the pads - the skin between the toes and pads should be smooth, a uniform healthy color, and the toenails trim (no overgrown dewclaws).
If your dog has a sparse or patchy haircoat, or if you feel any sores, lumps, or bumps on their skin, that could be a cause for concern. Visit your veterinarian to tell the nature of the lumps and bumps.
Healthy, your dog’s eyes should be bright and clear. Some eye goop is normal, as dogs’ eyes also tear like humans do.
If your dog has green or yellow eye discharge, or if you notice their eyes are not centred and their pupils are unequal in size, you should get veterinary advice. Also pay attention to the colour of the whites of their eyes - if it is pink or red, that’s abnormal.
As an additional test, evaluate how your dog’s pupils respond to changes in light. Normally, your dog’s pupils should shrink when bright light is shone and enlarge when the room is darkened.
Healthy dogs should have clean and dry ears, with no smell.
If you notice lumps or bumps, wounds or scabs, or any sign of a rash, that could mean something is wrong. Painful and swollen-looking ears or a strong odour are also signs of abnormality.
Clean white teeth and pink gums are signs of a healthy dog.
If your dog’s gums look red, pale, inflamed or sore, or if there is brown tartar building up around the base of their teeth, check with your veterinarian. Persistently stinky breath can also be a sign that something is off.
Take caution with this exercise, as not all dogs like their mouth being checked. One way is to only lift your dog’s lips to check the colour of their teeth and gums, and leave more in-depth reviews to the professionals.
For the final check, take a quick look at your dog’s rear end.
Normally, there is nothing there, but if you notice any swelling or redness to either side of the anus, that could indicate your dog’s “anal glands” are infected. Check with your veterinarian as this can sometimes cause painful issues.
Lastly, you can opt to evaluate your dog’s respiratory and heart rate to see if they’re healthy.
Healthy dogs typically have a resting respiratory rate of 15-60 breaths per minute, and a heart rate of 60 to 160 beats per minute (bpm).
To measure the respiratory rate, count the number of times your dog’s chest rises and falls in one minute. To measure the heart rate (bpm), feel for your dog’s femoral pulse. Place your fingers at the highest point where your dog’s groin area meets their body. Then, gently press along the inner thigh until you feel the pulsing of the femoral artery. Count the number of pulses in 15 seconds, and multiply by 4.
The heart rate can vary according to the size of the dog, and should not be used as the sole indicator of health. It can also be affected by factors like excitement, stress or exercise.
Doing a quick physical exam for your dog on a regular basis can tell you a lot about how your dog is feeling. While at-home health checks should not replace your veterinarian appointments, knowing what’s normal will ultimately help you discern better when something is wrong and what really requires veterinary care. Early detection of health issues can save your dog’s life.
References:
https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=4951314
https://askvet.app/physical-exam-checklist-for-a-dog/
https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=9759085
https://www.petmd.com/dog/wellness/what-dog-snow-nose-and-what-can-you-do-about-it
https://www.smalldoorvet.com/learning-center/medical/pink-eye-in-dogs
https://www.petmd.com/dog/symptoms/bad-breath-dogs-causes-treatment
Jinghui Lean
