Knowing Your Dog

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The better you know your dog, the better equipped you will be to take note of what is unusual for Fido. It is a simple matter to keep tabs on Fido's current state of health as a weekly (at least) routine; you can do it anywhere with the dog in any position in which he is comfortable. Your touch is pleasurable to Fido and he will enjoy a gentle all over massage as you rub your hands slowly but firmly over his entire body feeling for lumps, wounds, rashes, and unusual skin conditions.

Starting with the face and head take note of the nose, eyes, mouth, and ears. Do you see any discharge from the nose; or is the nose itself dry and cracking? A smear of vitamin E or Vaseline may soften a dry nose, but nasal discharge (especially if it is thick yellow or green) should be attended by a vet if it persists more than a day.

Look at his eyes; they should be clear. Do you notice any cloudiness, redness, discharge, rapid blinking, or rubbing at the eye? These may be indications of anything from entropion (turned in eyelid) to cataracts, glaucoma, or cancer of the eye and should be attended by your vet at once. If you see a bright red bulge at the inner corner of the eye this is the third eyelid protruding, commonly referred to as "cherry eye". Though unsightly it is not painful and is easily & permanently repaired with a minor surgery. Teary eyes are best wiped clean daily with a moist cloth or tissue to prevent ugly facial staining and irritation from the skin being so wet.

Open his mouth and have a look at his teeth, they should be white and quite clean with pink, healthy looking gums. Some tartar on his teeth can be easily scaled off by a veterinary technician or a skilled groomer; a build-up of calculus however is somewhat more problematic. Neglected teeth usually have inflamed gums which are a direct pathway to the bloodstream for bacteria. Your dog can actually DIE from this; many pet dogs develop serious heart valve damage from infections derived in this manner. It is called "endocarditis" and, in case I forgot to mention, your dog can DIE from it. It is a simple matter to train your dog from puppyhood to accept having his teeth brushed with a soft bristled brush and specially formulated doggie toothpaste. An easy alternative to this is to ensure that Fido has a fresh large joint bone to gnaw on. His breath will smell much better if his teeth are cared for as well.

Feel the whole ear leather, it should be cool, dry, and soft. If the leathers are hot or swollen Fido may be scratching them. Look into his ear; it should be dry and clean with little or no odour. Waxy ears should be cleaned properly (see instructions in Basic Care & Grooming Tips) and monitored closely for signs of infection which may require medication if neglected.

Work down the neck and body off the tail; when you get to the rear area be sure and check the genitals. E nsure that there is no discharge of any kind, no swelling or lumps around the anus or testicles. Biting at the rear area and bottom scooting in conjunction with tenderness may be an indication of anal gland inpaction and should be attended by a vet as soon as possible to prevent a painful abscess. Go over the tummy area, there should be no swelling or pot-gut. Be aware of Fido's condition in relation to his appetite, is he eating well yet dropping weight? Is he hardly eating or off his feed altogether? Is his coat dry and brittle, or shedding excessively? These things may merely be an indication of intestinal parasites (which are easily killed with medication) or they may indeed be symptoms of something more serious; Fido should see the vet.

Work down each leg from the shoulder or hip area and off the foot. The joints should not pop or be painful to gently manipulate. If there are dew claws be sure to examine them; these appendages are vulnerable to injury and the nails on them DO need to be clipped. Check the toenails and trim if necessary (see Basic Care & Grooming Tips). Check that his pads are not cut or so dry that they are cracking. Look between each of his toes for sores or irritations such as those caused by excessive licking, burrs, etc.

Your dog should rest comfortably and breathe easily. Laboured, shallow, or raspy respiration or rapid heartbeat (best felt with your hand against his chest on the left, under the armpit area) should be cause for concern. As you watch your dog move around freely, he should be pain free. Vomiting, diarrhoea, or lack of his usual energy should also prompt you to make a veterinary appointment.

By knowing your dog and what are unusual symptoms for him, you will be in the best position to know if Fido is unwell. Trust your instincts about his welfare, if you think he may need a vet then he probably does.
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