When you’re looking after a dog, you need to be sure of their good health. In our previous article, we discussed the two first points of a recommended five-point health check you can perform on your dogs. Here are the next three parts!
Eye and Ear Check
- Your dog’s eye whites should be a clear, glossy white.
- Pull down your dog’s lower eyelid – very gently! – to check it for pink- or redness.
- Your dog’s pupils should respond well to the light, and otherwise stay at a normal size.
- Any sign of colored discharge from the eyes could point to infection.
- Check your dog’s ears for a healthy, light pink color and a clean appearance. Clean away debris regularly.
- Strong odors from the ears could point to infection.
- Excess dark wax could point to infection or ear mites.
Teeth and Gum Check
- Brush your dog’s teeth regularly – at least twice a week – with dog toothpaste and toothbrushes. Give them regular dental chews and take them for veterinary cleaning.
- To check their teeth, lift their lips upwards. Press one of your fingers into one of their upper teeth firmly. The imprint of your finger will go white on the gums, and it should return to pink quickly.
- Check for yellow to dark brown buildup inside your dog’s mouth, which is a sign of tartar buildup.
Spot Checks
- Check your dog’s body for odd bumps, lumps, or spots. Start from the top of their head and move downwards over the shin, then check behind the front legs, beneath their shoulders, through and over their back and hips, and finally, over the legs.
- Check your dog’s footpads and claws for signs of cracks and cuts.
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