Give Your Dog a Regular Home Health Check

Daily check

Every day, after exercise, check for the following
Check for thorns, cuts and injuries
Check your dogs coat, in its ears, and its paws (especially between the pads) for grass seeds.
Check for ticks if they are common where you exercise.

Weekly examination

Examine your dog thoroughly at least one a week. This can conveniently be combined with grooming. It only takes a few minutes and will enable you to become used to the look, feel and smell of your dog when it is healthy. You will then be able to notice abnormalities at an early stage when they are usually much easier (and often cheaper) for your vet to treat. The dog will also become accustomed to being examined, making the vet’s job much easier.

Start at the front of the dog and work your way to the back. If you find any of the following you should have the dog examined by your vet.

NOSE

• Check for nasal discharge.
• When the dog is awake and active the nose should normally be cold and slightly moist.

EYES

• Check for excess discharge (sleep) or redness
• Check for cloudiness
• Check that there are no irregularities of the eyelid margins

EARS

• Check for grass seeds in the ears
• Check for excess wax
• Sniff the ears and check for abnormal odour which indicates an infection
• Check for swellings or wounds on ear flaps

MOUTH

• Check teeth for tartar (discolouration). Clean the teeth at least weekly
• Check for gum inflammation or ulceration (gingivitis)
• Check for broken or bad teeth
• Check for swellings on the gums or lips

BODY/SKIN

• Check under the hair for wounds or thorns
• Check for scaling or dry coat
• Check for lumps and irregularities of skin surface
• Check for hair loss (other than normal moulting)
• Check for grass seeds, ticks or fleas

FEET

• Check each claw for splitting or flaking and ensure the nail beds are clean
• Check length of claws and trim as necessary
• Check the pads for wounds or cracking
• Check for grass seeds between the pads and toes

JOINTS

• Check for lameness
• Check for swelling / heat / pain
• Check for stiffness after rest or exercise

GENITALIA

Males

• Check shape and size of testicles
• Check penis (including sheath) for discharge or swelling

 Females

• Check mammary glands for enlargement, swellings or discharges from the nipples
• Check vulva for discharges or swellings

ANUS

• Check for swellings
• Check for discharges