| Is your dog
in good health? You can perform a quick checkup at home that will
give you a good idea of your dog's general health. If any negative
results are found, contact your veterinarian for an appointment
to get a professional evaluation. 1.
Feel your dog's hair coat and check the color of your dog's
skin. If the hair feels greasy or the skin is inflamed or red
in color, this could indicate a problem. Also, check for any
scales resembling dandruff that may be present in the hair or
on the skin.
2. Brush your dog's hair against the grain. If you notice a
large number of small black specks, it is a good indicator of
a flea problem.
3. If your fingers have an unpleasant odor after touching your
dog's hair and skin, it could be a sign of poor health that
requires the attention of your vet.
4. Look carefully at your dog's eyes and check for matter that
has collected in the corners. Pull the lower eyelids down slightly
and look for a healthy, red color. If the is a lot of matter
in the eyes or the lower lids are inflamed and irritated, schedule
an appointment to have a professional exam.
5. If your dog's ears contain a large amount of wax, seem to
be quite oily, or have an offensive odor, this could be a sign
of problems.
6. Look at your dog's gums and check for a red line at the roots
of the teeth. Healthy gums will have this red line along the
entire length of the top and bottom teeth.
7. Are your dog's teeth white and shiny or do they have a brown
deposit? If you notice a brown discoloration or your dog's breath
is extremely offensive, you should contact your veterinarian
to schedule an appointment.
8. Finally, feel along your dog's backbone. If you feel prominent
ridges or definite bones, your dog is too thin. |
