Canine Dog Health - Information and
Care Checklist
As the saying goes prevention is better than cure and detecting
early signs of any potential dog health problems will obviously
help to ensure the well being of your dog or puppy. Basic
observation of a dog or puppy will alert its owner to changes in
the normal behavior of the dog and that something is wrong. A
straightforward and basic check of the dog will help to confirm any
suspicions of ill health. We have therefore provided the following
simple Dog Health Care Checklist to assist in this process.
Dog Health Care Checklist
Use the Dog Health Care Checklist as a guide to check out any dog
health worries or dog health concerns that you might have about
your dog or puppy. This information is only a guideline but will
help you make the decision whether you should consult your canine
health specialist. If this is the case your observations about the
health of your dog or puppy may prove very useful to a Veterinary
Surgeon.
| Dog
Health Care Checklist |
|
Behavior or Body Part |
Health Checklist |
| Sluggishness |
All Dogs sleep a lot, but
they should they should be lively and alert when they are awake.
Sluggishness may be a result of several causes from old age to
anaemia |
| Movement |
Check for any signs of
lameness. Check for problem area with a firm hand to locate painful
area |
| Appetite |
Variations in appetite can
indicate ill health |
| Excessive Thirst |
Excessive thirst is an
important indicator of a dog health problem |
| Weight Loss |
Progressive weight loss is
another indicator of a dog health problem |
| Eyes |
The white of the eyes
should look with no signs of veins, ulcers, sores or discharge |
| Ears |
The ears should have no
signs of discharge. Ears should be clean and free from wax. There
should be no signs of matted hair in the ears |
| Mouth |
The mouth should be look
pink and healthy |
| Teeth |
Should be white with no
signs of discoloriing. Check that there is nothing lodged between
the teeth e.g. small pieces of bone |
| Head |
Should be no signs of deep
wounds, sore patches or any hair loss |
| Limbs |
Should be no signs of deep
wounds, sore patches or any hair loss |
| Trunk |
Should be no signs of deep
wounds, sore patches or any hair loss |
| Skin |
The skin should feel and
behave as if it were elastic |
| Temperature |
A dog's temperature should
be between 38 and 39 degree Celsius |
| Breathing |
Any signs of irregular
breathing should be noted |
| Vomiting |
Vomiting can indicate
various problems |
| Diarrhoea |
Signs of irregular
Diarrhoea should be noted - Bloody, loose etc |
| Urination |
Irregular
and frequent Urination should be noted |
| Discharge |
Any Vaginal discharge should be noted |
Dog Health Care Checklist - Trust
your Instincts
Use the Dog Health Care Checklist as a guide to check out any dog
health worries or dog health concerns that you might have about
your dog or puppy. This will help you to decide whether to take
further action . Most owners know their dogs so well that they are
able to determine whether a Canine Health Professional should be
consulted - so perhaps the best advice of all is to trust your
instinct. In emergencies try to stay calm and assess whether you
need the vet immediately or whether first aid treatment is
adequate until an appointment with the Vet can be made.
Dog Health Care Checklist - First
Aid Kit for dogs
It is sensible to think ahead in relation to the care of the
health of your dog. Every home has a medical cabinet or first aid
kit for the family - get together a Canine First Aid Kit for your
pet for any emergencies or common health problems.
First Aid Kit for dogs
Put your dog's Development Record in the First Aid Kit ( see the
Puppies section for full details) The Development Record should
include important details of your dog's health such as the dates
and types of Vaccinations,
current weight and the contact numbers for Canine Health
specialists which are important inclusions for any First Aid Kit
for your dog or puppy.
First Aid Kit for dogs - content of
supplies
A first Aid Kit for dogs is an item which is often forgotten - but
certainly on that you will be grateful for! Take action and plan
for any emergencies! Remember that dosages of medications which
may be purchased without prescription vary according to the weight
of your dog. Also be aware of any possible side effects of
medications. The First Aid Kit for your dog or puppy should
include the following items:
Dog Health Care
We hope that the information provided on this page proves useful
but it is not intended to be used to diagnose or treat sick dogs or as a
substitute for obtaining professional veterinary advice. Please remember
that if you are in any doubt about your Dog's Health please consult your
Canine Veterinary Specialist immediately.
Dog Health Care Checklist
