Caring for your dog should be a partnership between you and your veterinarian. Today a large part of health care is also centered around preventive care and catching problems early as opposed to what we call "fire engine medicine" - dealing with emergencies.

One of the easiest and best ways you can do your part is to do an exam of your pet at home. This can easily be done once a week as part of your grooming routine or even during a quiet time when you are petting your pup. The more diligent you are about these exams, the better you will become at noticing any changes from the normal in your dog.

The Nose

I tell people to start at the very beginning - the nose. Your dog’s nose should be free of any discharge other than possibly a little clear drippage. There should not be crusts or sores around the nose. The old adage about a cold nose can be true sometimes - for example, if your dog has a fever, the nose will be warm and dry. However, if it is a hot, dry day out, your perfectly healthy dog may have a warm, dry nose. If your pet is comfortable with the mouth being examined, you can check for gum color. The gums should be a healthy bright pink. Pale gums can signal anemia. Some dogs have dark pigment in their mouths (like Chows), in which case you can’t tell very much about the gum color. You can also look at the teeth - checking for tartar, inflamed gums or infected teeth. Any unusual swelling of the muzzle, sore teeth or gums or bloody or purulent discharge from the nose are reasons for contacting your veterinarian.

Eyes and Ears

The eyes and ears come next. I find it very convenient that dogs have two of most everything, so you often have something to compare with. For example, if you aren’t sure if your dog’s ear should be quite so red, check the other one. It could also have an infection, but usually the ears will look at least slightly different if there is a problem. The ears should be a light, healthy pink (unless pigmented!) and there should be no odor or discharge. It is particularly important that dogs with drop ears (ears that hang down) get checked regularly. If those ears have a lot of hair like Cockers or Poodles they have an increased chance of infection. If your pet is very sensitive about having the ears touched or tilts his head, there is a reason. The eyes should be clear with no discharge either. Any discharge or any squinting of the eyes is reason for an immediate call to your veterinarian! Eyes can go from having a minor problem to a big problem in hours.

Torso/ Body

Now comes the part of the exam most dogs just love. Rub and massage your dog all over, including running your hands down the legs. Again, in most dogs you have two front legs to compare, two sides and two back legs. Any unusual lumps or bumps may merit a closer examination. With a regular routine you will learn which small growths have been there and been checked out by your veterinarian and which are new or are growing rapidly. At this time you can also check your dog’s weight. Your pet should have a "waist" - a tucked in area right in front of the pelvis or hind legs when you look down from above. You should also be able to feel ribs without a great deal of pressure. Being overweight can lead to many health problems in pets - arthritis, diabetes, etc. Most dogs do enjoy this massage.

Legs / Paws

If possible, you should also check your dog’s paws. Look for any redness, sores on the pads and long or broken toe nails. Many dogs are very sensitive about having their feet handled, but if you go gently and do a little more each time, they usually get tolerant of this.

The Tail

Another area we tend to forget to check is under the dog’s tail. Tumors around the anus, fistulas (particularly in dogs like German Shepherd Dogs) or even tape worm segments can be noted here. If your pet hasn’t been spayed or neutered, a quick check of the vulva or scrotum for any changes can be a life saver.

The Skin

This is a good time to check for any sign of skin problems - redness, odor, sores or itchiness. Bare areas are also a clue that something isn’t quite right and of course, if you spot gritty black debris ("flea dirt") or fleas themselves, you know you have a problem! Dogs’ coats should be shiny and feel good. Shedding can be normal of course and you will learn when and how often your dog tends to shed.

Observe Your Dog

Your observations about your pet’s movement, eating and elimination habits and activities can readily clue you in to problems and help your veterinarian make a correct diagnosis quickly. When a client comes in and says that their dog is drinking more water than usual, seems hungier than usual and may be losing a little weight we know to check for diabetes. If the same dog comes in with an owner who says they think something might be wrong, we have alot more diagnostics to go through to cover all the possiblities. If you catch an ear infection on Day One instead of Day 10, your pet will recover faster and need less intensive treatment. Removing a small growth is much easier and faster, meaning less anesthesia and less expense than removing a large growth.

So start thinking of your pet’s health care as a partnership and do those exams - at least monthly if not weekly!

By: Dr. Debbie M. Eldredge, DVM

Dr. Debbie M. Eldredge, DVM an accomplished writer and pet lover, she written the new books - "Pills for Pets", "Cancer and Your Pet", "Everything Dog Health and Head of the Class" (with Kate Eldredge). Visit DogLogic for more free health advice or mailto:debme15@hotmail.com