The first step in checking your dog’s health is to perform a full body examination. You can do this every week while you’re grooming your dog. Look for lumps and bumps, cuts, inflammation, and other symptoms of discomfort. Also, keep an eye out for signs such as stiffness, fatigue, and limping. Similarly, excessive panting and coughing may indicate a problem.
Skin turgor test
One simple way to check the health of your dog is to do a skin turgor test. This test measures the tension and fullness of the skin. If your dog’s scruff is loose and hard to pinch, then it may be dehydrated. Dehydration can be more difficult to detect in older dogs, so you should make sure to check your dog’s skin turgor on a regular basis.
The skin turgor test is part of a physical examination checklist. If your dog’s skin is dehydrated, it will remain in an upward position for a short time, then slowly descend. If it doesn’t come back up quickly, then your dog is severely dehydrated and needs immediate medical attention. The test is not 100% accurate, so you should always have your dog examined by a veterinary professional to confirm the results.
Take your dog’s temperature
It is important to take your dog’s temperature to check its health. However, you should remember that the temperature of your dog is much higher than that of human beings. If you do want to take your dog’s temperature, make sure you use a thermometer that is designed for dogs. Glass thermometers are not recommended, as they could break and cause injury. Also, most dogs will not remain still for more than two minutes. Alternatively, you can try flexible tipped thermometers, but these are difficult to get through your dog’s sphincters. Finally, you can use ear thermometers, but this method is not considered to be very accurate.
Another way to check your dog’s temperature is by touching its nose. If your dog recently licked its nose, it will be warm. Otherwise, its nose should feel cold. If your dog hasn’t licked its nose, it is probably not suffering from an infection. If your dog is showing signs of fever, it’s time to take your dog’s temperature.
Check your dog’s ears
Dogs’ ears are a good place to check for health issues. Checking the ear canal can help you determine whether your dog is suffering from an infection. A healthy ear canal will be free of debris, and the wax on the inside will be a light-yellow color. If the wax is dark or there is visible dirt, cleaning the ear is necessary. When cleaning the ear canal, be gentle and avoid sticking anything inside. This can cause permanent damage to your dog’s eardrum.
Using a wet cotton ball, gently wipe the inside of your dog’s ear canal. Make sure that you clean the entire ear canal. Shake the dog’s head a few times to get the excess cleaner out. Repeat this process as needed. Be sure to stop if there is any redness, bleeding, or other signs of discomfort.
Check your dog’s teeth
It’s important to check your dog’s teeth for health on a regular basis. Proper dental care will save your dog from painful dental disease and can increase your dog’s life expectancy. Not only will your dog look and smell better, but it will also be healthier. Here’s how to do it.
First, remember that your dog’s mouth contains thousands of bacteria. These bacteria multiply on the surface of the tooth and form an invisible layer called plaque. These plaques are difficult to remove, and antibiotics don’t get through them. Your dog’s tongue and chewing habits can help remove some of this plaque naturally.
Check your dog’s nose
Checking your dog’s nose for health can be a crucial part of a complete physical examination. A red, itchy, crusty, or wet nose may be an indication of a serious health condition such as a sinus infection, kennel cough, or parvovirus. A warm or dry nose may also be an indication of an allergy or sunburn. If you notice any sudden changes to your dog’s nose, it is best to seek veterinary attention.
The appearance of your dog’s nose may also be a sign of general health. If your dog has a cool, wet nose, it likely means that your dog is in good physical condition. However, if it’s hot or swollen, he could have an infection or fever. For a proper diagnosis, check your dog’s temperature using a rectal thermometer or contact your veterinarian. A healthy dog’s temperature should range from 101 to 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit.
